Here's a troubling story, where the above headline basically says it all. An article by Rick Rogers from last Friday's issue of the San Diego Union-Tribune, entitled "Marines hit by rash of non-combat fatalities," and linked here -- has this stunning factoid tucked away, several paragraphs into the story:
At least 13 Marines from the 1st MEF – most of them stationed at Camp Pendleton – have died this year. Most of the causes are believed to have been vehicle crashes, homicides and suicides, although some cases are still being investigated.
By comparison, six Camp Pendleton-based Marines have died from combat in Iraq during the same time period, according to the Defense Department.
The reporter also notes, "None of the Marine officials interviewed for this story could remember a worse week in terms of noncombat losses." So sad.
It's important to note that sometimes reckless driving is "just" that, and sometimes it's a form of vehicular suicide, whether fueled by alcohol and/or drugs, including prescription medications, whether mixed with alcohol or not. (Much like "suicide by cop" has become something other than a random altercation with police.) The Marines, faced with an increase in motorcycle fatalities, are taking pains to educate the troops more about the risks involved -- risks which are probably fairly well understood, though not necessarily attended to. Heartbreaking news from Southern California, in any case -- for all the Marines, and their families, not to mention those who've served with them.
