Gunfire On The Firing Line: Parris Island Recruit Shot Throughout Coaching

A Marine recruit is recovering after getting shot throughout rifle coaching at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina.

The recruit was hit shortly after 12 p.m. on Nov. 5 throughout live-fire marksmanship coaching, a Marines spokesperson advised Army.com. Emergency crews took him to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, the place he’s listed in secure situation. The hospital wouldn’t focus on his care and despatched all questions again to Parris Island. The Marines usually are not releasing the recruit’s identify or hometown till subsequent of kin are notified.

The service wouldn’t say whether or not the recruit shot himself or if one other recruit fired the spherical—or if the gunfire was intentional or unintentional.

“The precise circumstances are beneath investigation, and it could be untimely to invest on the trigger,” they mentioned.

Army.com reached out to NCIS for remark.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Wellness Accius, a senior drill teacher with Assist Battalion, delivers a speech given to new recruits as they arrive on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., June 6, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Jordy Morales)

Shot On The Vary

The gunfire occurred on a live-fire vary utilized by 1000’s of recruits yearly as they qualify with the M16 service rifle. Marine officers mentioned no adjustments to vary security guidelines have been introduced, including that they continue to be dedicated to strict coaching requirements.

An identical harm occurred Aug. 15 when Pvt. Aduel Goddard, an 18-year-old from Williamsburg, Michigan, was shot within the leg throughout live-fire drills. That case remains to be beneath overview, based on publication The Island Packet.

Recruits with Lodge Firm, 2nd Recruit Coaching Battalion, use a newly carried out a taking pictures efficiency system throughout grass week aboard Marine Corps Recruit Coaching Depot Parris Island, S.C., Mar. 09, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photographs by Lance Cpl. Bradley Williams)

Recruits spend 13 weeks grinding via weapons qualification and fight drills. Each Marine fires actual bullets. Each Marine trains beneath stress.

Marine investigators now need to know what went incorrect. They may interview recruits and drill instructors. They may examine the weapon. They may overview vary security logs. Outcomes could take months. The findings usually are not all the time made public.

Capt. John Hardin, who confirmed the recruit’s situation, mentioned live-fire coaching continues as common.

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