Convicted DI: Harsh tactics were encouraged

[unhappycamper]

Convicted DI: Harsh tactics were encouraged
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 9, 2008 17:05:03 EST

SAN DIEGO — A former Marine drill instructor convicted of abusing recruits testified that a senior instructor encouraged him to use harsh tactics that weren’t officially sanctioned.

Pvt. Jerrod Glass told a military jury Tuesday that Sgt. Robert Hankins said “keep up the good work” when he began punishing recruits for alleged infractions by stomping on their hygiene kits. Glass also said he saw Hankins push recruits, grab their clothing and do other things that were inconsistent with official training rules.

“I kind of had the idea something’s written on paper and done differently in practice,” Glass testified.

Hankins has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of maltreating recruits, violating an order, making a false official statement, destroying property and covering up serious offenses. He faces up to a year’s confinement, reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge if convicted.

He is the senior of three drill instructors court-martialed in what prosecutors say was rampant abuse of recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego between December 2006 and February 2007.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_glass_080109/