2 Marines Face Assault Charges in Hazing Case

Two Marines face charges of assault and dereliction of duty in connection with the hazing of a private, a Marine Corps spokesman said.

Another 10 Marines face less severe administrative discipline for not stopping the alleged hazing in which a 20-year-old private reported that he was terrorized by his squad leader, Staff Sgt. Bob Hall said Sunday.

The names of the Marines involved were not released. All are members of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Barracks at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.

The incident was reported in December. The private who reported the alleged hazing told authorities that fellow Marines used a knife to cut his T-shirt from waist to throat during an inspection, slammed him against a locker and forced him to do push-ups while another Marine held his foot against the private’s neck.

“Improper treatment of Marines is unacceptable in any form and is not tolerated,” Hall said. “Those who violate this trust will be held accountable.”

Officials at Camp Pendleton, the headquarters for the unit, declined to provide specifics about the possible penalties.