Editor’s Note: The claims made in this article regarding drill sergeant misconduct and the nature of the Soldier’s death are based on statements from an anonymous source who identifies as both an active duty Soldier and family member of a trainee within the affected unit. At the time of publication, The Salty Soldier has not independently verified the identity of the individual making these claims, nor corroborated their account with official Army sources or other eyewitnesses. These allegations are reported in the public interest and in the context of an ongoing official investigation. Readers are advised that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and no final determination has been made regarding the cause of death.
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — An 18-year-old U.S. Army Soldier from California was killed Friday, September 5, during a weapons training event at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The Soldier, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, was pronounced dead at 10:33 a.m. on the rifle range by medical personnel from General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. The Army has not yet released the Soldier’s identity, pending notification of next of kin. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) continues to investigate the circumstances of the death.
READ MORE: Army identifies soldier killed during training at Fort Leonard Wood
While the Army has only confirmed the death as a “training fatality,” allegations are emerging from an individual claiming direct ties to the unit. One poster, identifying themselves both as a family member of a trainee and an active duty Soldier, has publicly stated that the death was the result of suicide—and that abusive behavior by drill sergeants may have played a role.
Allegations of Verbal Abuse
In a lengthy statement circulated on social media, the anonymous source claimed their own family member was present when the Soldier died. According to them, drill sergeants in the battalion have repeatedly crossed the line between tough training and prohibited conduct. Specific accusations include drill sergeants telling trainees they “should die” or “go off themselves.”
The individual urged families to take action, posting a call for anyone with knowledge of similar behavior to report it directly to the Fort Leonard Wood Inspector General (IG) office. They cited multiple regulations that explicitly prohibit abuse of trainees, including:
- TRADOC Regulation 350-6 – bans verbal and physical abuse of trainees.
- Army Command Policy (AR 600-20) – requires dignity and respect, prohibits hazing, bullying, and maltreatment.
- TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 (“Blue Book”) – directs that trainees be treated with respect and encourages reporting of harassment.
- Drill Sergeant Creed – obligates drill sergeants to safeguard the well-being of Soldiers.
- Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 93 – criminalizes cruelty and maltreatment of subordinates.
The post stressed that while Basic Combat Training (BCT) is designed to be difficult, it must not involve threats or harassment that violate Army policy.
“Not an Isolated Problem”
The anonymous Soldier also alleged that Fort Leonard Wood has a troubling reputation, claiming it has been reported as “the training grounds with the highest suicide rate.” They added that many trainees avoid reporting misconduct due to fear of retaliation, and that families may not realize they have the right to bring complaints forward through proper channels.
“I was broken down and built back up [in training],” the individual wrote. “At no point did it require drill sergeants telling me I should die. You cannot tell me there isn’t an issue with this base when reports like this exist.”
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, Fort Leonard Wood officials and Army investigators have not confirmed the nature of the Soldier’s death or any connection to drill sergeant misconduct. The command has also not publicly addressed the allegations.
The 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, which is led by Lieutenant Colonel James C. Taylor and Command Sergeant Major Cory M. Plunk, is one of several BCT units at Fort Leonard Wood, training both male and female recruits. The installation is home to the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, where the Army prepares Soldiers for the Engineer, Chemical, and Military Police branches.
The Salty Soldier will continue monitoring both the official investigation and claims from within the ranks. Families of trainees are encouraged to contact the Fort Leonard Wood Inspector General office at (573) 596-0486 if they have concerns about misconduct during training.
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