Eight Navy Sailors Discharged Over Hazing

The U.S. Navy on Saturday discharged eight sailors over a hazing incident on board an amphibious assault ship that was captured on video, according to media reports.
Eight Navy Sailors Discharged Over Hazing
2/5/2012
Updated:
2/5/2012

The U.S. Navy on Saturday discharged eight sailors over a hazing incident on board an amphibious assault ship that was captured on video, according to media reports.

The Navy alleges the soldiers, who are based in San Diego on the U.S. Bonhomme Richard, allegedly choked and assaulted a new arrival as part of a hazing ritual, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Navy forbids any kind of hazing.

The incident was captured on a cellphone video camera.

Charlie Davis, a soldier who was discharged, said it was “play wrestling,” according to 10 News in San Diego.

“A couple of the guys wrestled me down and had fun with me and then shook my hand and welcomed me aboard,” he added.“ ”[It] happened to two or three other guys.”

He added that the soldier who complained about hazing “took it too seriously and he couldn’t handle wrestling,” accusing him of lying to Navy officials, according to the station.

However, a Navy spokesperson told the Times there was testimony and statements that were the same as confessions, leading to the discharging.