The recent training accident that claimed the life of a young Marine near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina is a tragic reminder of the risks our military personnel face every day. Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, just 23 years old and recently promoted to the rank of sergeant, died during a late-night training exercise on Thursday, April 28th.
The details surrounding the accident have not been released, but a spokesperson for the Marines has confirmed that it is under investigation. The loss of one of their own has hit the Marines hard, with Col. Todd Mahar, 24th MEU commanding officer, expressing his condolences and support for Arslanbas’ family during this difficult time.
The Marine Corps has identified the Camp Lejeune Marine killed while training near the North Carolina coast. Sgt. Colin Arslanbas of Missouri was a reconnaissance Marine assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.https://t.co/4UfClWN3wg
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) April 22, 2024
This is not the first tragedy to occur at Camp Lejeune, as just a few months ago, in February, five Marines were killed during a training exercise in California.
This tragic accident also brings to light the ongoing controversy surrounding Camp Lejeune’s contaminated drinking water. While the base was built in the 1940s, its drinking water was not found to be contaminated until the 1980s. Military personnel and their families were unknowingly exposed to industrial solvents from as early as the 1950s until the wells were finally shut down in 1985.
A recently released study by federal health officials has linked this contaminated water to a higher risk of cancer for military personnel and civilians who worked at the base. The study compared a group who lived and worked in the contaminated environment to a similar group who did not and found a 20% higher risk for certain types of cancers in the exposed group.
This new study has sparked a wave of litigation against the Marine Corps, with many individuals and families affected by the contaminated water seeking justice for their illnesses and health problems. The federal government has also been criticized for being slow to investigate and address these concerns, with some arguing that they should have taken action sooner.
As a result of this study and the growing concerns of those affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, a new federal law was signed in August 2022, allowing individuals a two-year window to file claims related to their health problems stemming from their time at the base.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, as well as the other Marines who have lost their lives in training exercises. These tragedies serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being, both in the field and at home.
