Congressman Carbajal pledges to combat boot camp deaths

The Navy is reviewing its procedures in the wake of more boot camp deaths.

An 18-year-old recruit died during boot camp last week. Kelsey Nobles reportedly went into cardiac arrest after a fitness test.

Another Navy recruit named Kierra Evan, 20, died in a similar incident in February.

Both women were at a Great Lakes training command in Illinois.

Congressman Salud Carbajal said he is working to improve safety at boot camps.

Last Spring, Carbajal, a former Marine, spoke at the Ventura funeral for Patrick Vega.

Vega, 21, of Oxnard died during Marine boot camp in San Diego in March of 2018.

Carbajal issued a statement on Monday that said:

“These terrible losses underscore the need for our military to take a long, hard look at the level of attention and care we provide our young recruits, particularly when it comes to identifying potentially life-threatening conditions. I look forward to reviewing the Navy’s reports and recommendations to ensure the safety those in basic training. These recruits are bravely stepping up to serve our nation when many others won’t — we owe them our full support from the earliest stages of training to after they return home from their service.”

Carbajal’s staff said he is planning to sponsor an amendment to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act that increases funding to increase duty corpsman at training facilities.

Vega’s relatives don’t want another recruit to die.