The Marine Corps have fired a two-star general following the training accident last summer that left eight Marines and one Navy sailor dead.
Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi was found to be responsible for some of the failures that led up to the deadliest AAV accident in Corps history.
Castellvi was reportedly first suspended last month from his position as inspector general of the Marine Corps.
The accident happened 70 miles off the coast of San Diego, and is believed to have been preventable.
A spokesman for the Marine Corps stated the commandant “personally and formally counseled him for his failure to properly train the Marines and Sailors for whom he was entrusted and for the inadequate evaluation of the AAV Platoon before it was attached to the 15th MEU.”
Investigators found the accident, which occurred on July 30 last year, was the result of inadequate training, questionable maintenance of the decades-old amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) and commanders’ bad judgement.
“During the return transit, water began to enter the mishap AAV through multiple points of leakage, the transmission failed, bilge pumps were unable to expel water rapidly enough due to the transmission failure, and the AAV began to sink. The vehicle commander gave the distress signal, known as a ‘November flag,’ but no safety boats were in the water, and it took approximately 20 minutes for another AAV to arrive to assist,” the Corps explained.
“The mishap AAV was slowly sinking for approximately 45 minutes before the other AAV with embarked personnel pulled alongside. The mishap AAV crew prepared to evacuate embarked personnel by opening a hatch on the top of the vehicle. The AAVs collided, causing the mishap AAV to turn broadside to a swell. A large wave swept over the mishap AAV, in which water entered the troop compartment through the open hatch, and caused the mishap AAV to rapidly sink with eleven personnel on board.”
via American Military News
There are several key mistakes made by Castellvi that, if corrected, may have prevented the devastating accident.
Not only were the service members untrained on how to escape from a sinking amtrac, Castellvi also failed to complete a readiness evaluation that was designed to find issues before the training event began.
Castellvi’s career is as good as finished following the disciplinary actions taken against him.
“I am pleased to learn that the Marine Corps has held Maj. Gen. Castellvi accountable for his completely inadequate performance as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division. It is my view that his failures in ensuring the Marines under his charge were adequately trained prior to joining the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit were a direct and contributing factor to the tragic loss of eight Marines and one Navy Corpsman last July,” stated Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.
Don’t blame the General, WHY do we have old equipment around. Should have been replaced years ago. FIRE THE COMMANDANT. The same corps from 55 years ago, POOP rolls downhill.
I was test director on several Army, Navy and Marine Corp vehicles. I had found and reported massive failures including on the LVTP-7 amphibious one. I was chosen as diector over the Qualification Testing of the amphibious Army M2-A1 vehicle. For those unknowing, Test director is equal to a film director. One responsible for writing the plan, directing and in charge of everyone involved. Those are the mechanics, scuba crew, vehicle operators, photography crew, ,safety crew, inspectors, design installers, reporting and final analysis.,
I was fired fired for reporting faiilures after giving some 12+ years of my life to R & D testing, design,and field service to the troops and company personnel.. The company redesigned their Army M2 -A1 vehicles with over 22,000 changes. This should tell you, there were major issues throughout. There would be more failures. I am upset thinking that more young soldiers were killed as a result of negligence. I was an assistant mechanic on race cars at 15. At 17, an auto mechanic, at 19 worked on all Wheeledm, Tracked,and Heavy Equioment Army vehicles. as a Viet Era draftee Army soldier. I saw faulty equipment and maintenance that caused serious injury. Became College grad in Automtive Science later selected by tnree Fortune 500 companies as Field Engineer, designer and Test engineer to top Director..
I know of some failed testing on the Marine LVTP-7 that occurredyears ago before they fired me. This information was never reported to the government. I later testified on the cause of death on another military amphibious vehicle and got the soldiers family several $M award settlement. Am I angry? Totally that the culprits were never charged with the deaths if several soldiers . My lifetime goal is still to get our government to charge these murderers and put them in prison to die. Thus general may not have known the processes in detail and others absolutely dud.
In operations of amphibious nature, it is considered dangerous and there should have been a recovery proven process for immediate response to save tgese soldiers within immediate minutes. That would have been the immediate superiors in the vehicle, and in charge of the operators much further down the chain of command than general. If they were not trained, of familiar with direct hands on operations, the with absolute certainty should have requested needed support, or training before touching,,or conducting thise operations. Blame starts not at the top on this, but in that vehicle crew that were qualified to operate those vehicles before ever proceeding. Firing a general will not correct the problem, but mask it with blsme. Let me investigate and I will find the truth. Our troops that I admire and love need protections from these ttypes of death. Yes, I’m still angry when my fellow young American soldiers die from intentional negligence, or iuntrained ignorance.
I continue to strive to get our senators to pass a bill that retroactively that holds the individuals accountable for murder knowingly withholding the tests reporting and knowledge of troops dying using this equipment.
God bkess our soldiers
Wow. I am 20 year E-7 US ARMY Soldier. Unfortunately you cannot bring these Soldiers back from the dead. TRULY PAINFUL READING THIS. Preventative maintenance was Tantamount in this case and unbelievably overlook. I feel bad for the General and the poor Victims Families. Although TOP leadership in BRASS is responsible I also believe somewhere the Upper Echelon on the Enlisted SIDE is bigtime also to blame. We enlisted leaders are the ones WHO NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE. We rarely depend on our OFFICER CORPS for Operational Success. The ENLISTED leaders never should have ALLOWED the Soldiers to perform this and NEVER should have ALLOWED the Brass to APPROVE THIS. Nuff SAID.
Maj Gen Castellvi was the SCAPEGOAT in the whole mess. The Commandant should have been replaced, NOT Maj Gen Castellvi. The Commandant has the ultimate responsibility of ensure his troops are properly trained and equipped to perform their duties. The antiquated AAV’s should have been replaced and not even used in this training. Unfortunately the “good ole boy” network saved the Commandant’s ass at the expense of Maj Gen Castellvi.
If it was Enlisted they would have taken everything!!!! Including retirement benefits. My prayers to the families who support their Navy,Marines, Airforce, and Army on serving something bigger than themselves. Veterans struggled with the beaucrstic system to get benefits and support and this scumbag still gets to retirement shame on the system!!!!!
Should have been brought up on charges.. the UPPER BRASS covered his behind.. at least Should have had NJP.. LOSS OF MULTIPLE RANKS… terrible tragedy.
Too harsh for the treatment of the 2 star.
Rod Smith, LtCol USMC (Ret)
Yes the two star should be held countable for not having safety boats in the water. Also there have been maintaince checks before op. Also there should have lifesavers on board the aav and give to them to wear. Simper fi to the Marines & Navy that pass.
Couldn’t handle my comments huh? Too politically incorrect. No balls. Can’t handle truth huh?
The fact he made General officer to begin with is salient testimony to the Corps ‘ pathetic broken, dysfuntctonal, sugar daddy promotion system. Merit is not and never has been a consideration. It’s strictly political based on who you know NOT what you know. Consequently, good Marines die due to negligence, lack of leadership, and unaccountable irresponsibility. In my 52 years as a Marine, it has ALWAYS been this way. This is really an astounding moment!! Usually, some poor SSGT is blamed and the Stars skate to their next promotion. PATHETIC!!
He probably should have had an Article 15 of non-judicial punishment. Or perhaps a summary court martial. At least he would iincur some pain as well .
His superiors may also have had responsibility if they did not have adequate safeguards in place to ensure safety of the troops & adequacy of the equipment. .
My prayers go to the families, as for the General, too much is given, much is required, the men and women who serve put their lives in harm’s way, leaders please be mindful of safety for them Amen.
I only wished that they mad the discipline for this general public, yes he’ll be released from his command and duties but still be able to ride off into the sunset.
Should never had happened! Proper training is a must, if the AAV’s were retired then they should dismantled, removed from the property or sold. I say knock the 2 star back to a one star ⭐️.
Yes the general will ne ok…kind of sad they even did anything like this, accidents happen and those AAVs should have been retired years ago, the Commandant should be looked at for not getting rid of those old pieces of equipment..we believe we can still use those old amphibious tactics in today’s world.
yes a very sad story .
He’s a 2 star he has 20+years of service he retires and plays with his grandkids on 60k+ per year. Yeah he doesn’t serve another 5 get his 3rd star and maybe a couple more commendations but eh. If he wants he can also pick of a side gig part time with a defense contractor and pull in another 60k part time or 110k+ full time if he wants it. These nine lives basically get him a semi public embarrassment right before formal retirement but in order to hurt them you have to get them before they get a golden turkey on their collar.
A sad story,