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Marine trainer faces military hearing in drowningDisciplinary action recommended for three other instructors
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An instructor at the Marine Corps training facility at Parris Island, South Carolina, faces a military hearing in the death of a recruit whose drowning was accidental, but preventable, an investigative report said Tuesday. Nineteen-year-old Pvt. Jason Tharp, of Sutton, West Virginia, drowned at the facility February 8, on his final day of swimming training. Marine Corps officials said his death was preventable because the swim instructor failed to recognize -- or ignored -- indications that Tharp was too tired or incapable of continuing the training. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service found no evidence of criminal conduct or intentional wrongdoing by the instructor. The investigation found Tharp's drowning to be accidental but preventable, with procedural violations contributing to the death. The instructor, who has not been identified, faces an Article 32 hearing, a military version of a grand jury investigation. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for a court-martial. Tharp's father, Johnny Tharp, received the report Monday, The Associated Press reported. "We just hope there is going to be justice," the senior Tharp told The AP. "They did admit there were people who did stuff they weren't supposed to do. That was a little bit of relief there because we thought they might try to cover it up." Additionally, the Marine Corps investigation recommended disciplinary action to be taken against three other Marine instructors for other incidents involving Tharp a day before he died. The other Marines include a swimming instructor who threatened Tharp with tossing him into the pool if he did not go into the pool on his own, a drill instructor who grabbed Tharp and struck him on his forearm and a training officer who saw Tharp being struck and did not report it. All three Marines were recommended for disciplinary action for violating rules against physical contact and threats of physical harm. A decision on discipline will be left to the commanding general, Marine officials said. CNN affiliate WIS recorded videotape of Tharp being struck and grabbed by a Marine drill instructor a day before Tharp drowned. Marine Capt. Delbert Marriott, who was once assigned to review procedures for Marine swim trainers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, complained publicly that commanders at the base ignored his warnings that instructors were using unauthorized and unsafe techniques for swimming training. He said he filed the complaints two months before Tharp's death after reviewing training techniques. Marriott's superiors said the training methods were immediately stopped and reviewed. The investigation into Tharp's death also prompted the commanding general at Parris Island to change the training for swimming instructors. Also, a new position will be created to oversee supervision of training at the Combat Training Pool, said Marine Corps officials. CNN's Barbara Starr and Mike Mount contributed to this report. Copyright 2005 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. 
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