The fiancé of one of the 3rd Infantry Division soldiers who tragically lost their lives during a training exercise at Fort Stewart on Jan. 30 has gone public with concerns about the incident.
Sergeant First Class Candice Jones, a fellow soldier and the fiancé of Staff Sgt. Shelbe Butner, who was killed in the accident, is accusing the Army of concealing the circumstances that may have led to the fatal incident.
According to the Army, Staff Sgt. Shelbe Butner and Spc. Jacob Mullen—both motor transport operators—were participating in a combat training exercise near Camp Oliver when the accident occurred. While operating a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) under blackout conditions, their vehicle veered off the road and into standing water, resulting in their deaths.
Jones has voiced frustration over what she claims is a lack of accountability and transparency from the Army. She expressed gratitude that her own engineer battalion has supported her in grieving, but she criticized Butner’s command team for failing to reach out to her or Butner’s mother.
She also highlighted a pattern of similar accidents occurring in the same area over the years, with little to no action taken to address safety concerns.
According to Jones, Butner had repeatedly voiced concerns about the JLTV, describing it as unsafe, especially in the conditions they were required to operate under.
“The 5988s from her unit are all faulty with this vehicle,” Jones alleged, referring to maintenance reports. She claimed Butner had shared her concerns about the vehicle’s safety multiple times, including on the day of the accident.
Jones also took issue with how the unit has handled the aftermath, stating that while leadership at the Drill Sergeant Academy has treated the loss as a serious event, Butner’s own command has shown little response.
“It’s kind of sad that our last command at the Drill Sergeant Academy treats this as a severe event, yet her own unit hasn’t even taken the time to reach out,” she wrote.
She also criticized the unit for continuing training operations in the field despite two rollovers and two fatalities. “That should tell you something,” she added, accusing leadership of trying to cover up safety concerns rather than address them.
“I will forever go hard for someone who put their life on the line for an organization that’s not going hard for her,” Jones said, emphasizing Butner’s deep love for the Army and her frustration over what she sees as a lack of respect for her sacrifice.
Lieutenant Colonel Angel Tomko, spokesperson for the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs, confirmed that Butner and Mullen were assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
“Our hearts are broken at this devastating loss,” said Major General Christopher Norrie, the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general. “Shelbe and Jacob were honored and highly respected soldiers of the Marne Division, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and fellow soldiers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Staff Sgt. Shelbe Butner, 28, a Missouri native, served in the Army for nine years. Her distinguished service was recognized with numerous awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Assault Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Badge.
Spc. Jacob Mullen, 25, from Maryland, had served in the Army for seven years and had previously deployed to Poland. His awards and decorations included the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the XVIII Airborne Corps are currently investigating the incident.
As investigations continue, Jones’ accusations raise concerns about the safety of JLTVs, training conditions, and the Army’s response to past incidents at Fort Stewart.
The Army has yet to publicly respond to her accusations.
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