Was Parris Island drill instructor negligent in Marine recruit’s death? Trial begins Monday

A Parris Island drill instructor goes on trial Monday in a military court two years after the Marines say his failures led to the death of a recruit during his final hours of training on a hot day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

Dalton Beals, a 19-year-old Pennsville, N.J., native, died June 4, 2021, during the Crucible, a rite-of-passage held during week 10 of recruit training at Parris Island, when recruits march 48 miles over 54 hours carrying up to 45 pounds of gear through 36 stations and problem-solving exercises.

In November 2022, following a a Command Investigation and Line of Duty Determination, Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley, Beals’ Crucible leader and senior drill instructor, was charged with several offenses related to his death including negligent homicide.

The investigation, obtained previously by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette, concluded that Smiley conducted unauthorized incentive training in hot weather during the Crucible and failed to monitor the impact of the heat on Beals, who became ill and died.

The Marine Corps Times reported in April that a second autopsy determined that Beals died of heart problems, contradicting the first autopsy, which said he died of hyperthermia caused by overheating.

Smiley’s trial begins on at 8 a.m. in the Maj. Michael E. Weston courtroom inside the Legal Services Support Team building at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.