Marine commander relieved following drowning probe
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officials say a Marine Corps major has been relieved of his command after a probe found unsafe conditions contributed to a Marine drowning while treading water in a swimming pool during a screening test.
Marine Corps spokesman Col. Sean Gibson said Thursday that the action was taken May 15 against Maj. Adam Burch for a loss of trust in his ability to lead following the Jan. 18 drowning of 18-year-old Pfc. Joshua Islam at Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego.
Investigation documents released to the Marine Corps Times in response to a Freedom of Information Act request found that swim instructors and medical personnel failed to recognize Islam was in distress.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the investigation, the North Carolina rifleman slipped underwater repeatedly before an instructor pulled him to the side.