Entire Unit Relieved After Hazing-Related Death In Afghanistan
File photo of soldiers filling sandbags
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - An entire unit of soldiers with B Co, 1-65 Infantry Regiment, stationed in Southern Afghanistan, has been relieved Thursday following allegations of hazing that led to the suicide of Army Private DeMarius Jackson at an unnamed Combat Outpost (COP) in Zharay Province.
Five officers, 36 non-commissioned officers, and 61 lower enlisted soldiers have been removed from the remote base while they await the results of the final investigation into the death.
Private DeMarius Jackson, who was reprimanded for falling asleep on guard duty twice, posting mission times to his Facebook account, and a negligent discharge of his personal weapon that resulted in his squad leader being shot in the foot, killed himself by overdosing on methamphetamines during a guard shift.
Although the soldier had previously tested positive for marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, his death is being billed as a suicide as a result of hazing. The allegation was made…
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