Marine Dies After Fast-Rope Training Incident in Okinawa

Lance Cpl. Devin J. Hernandez died after sustaining serious injuries during a fast-rope exercise at Camp Schwab, on the Japanese island of Okinawa, on November 3. He was 25 and from Maryland. The 3rd Marine Division identified him on November 5.

Hernandez received medical treatment after the incident but later died. Officials have not disclosed the nature of his injuries, the point in the exercise at which he was hurt, or the location where he received care. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the incident.

Hernandez was a combat engineer assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He was deployed to Japan with the 4th Marines, serving in the 3rd Marine Division under the Unit Deployment Program. His decorations included the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.

Fast-roping involves descending a rope without a harness and is a more advanced skill than the rope descents Marines first practice during boot camp. At Camp Schwab, training includes work on a rappel tower before Marines move on to air operations.

The division’s commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Kyle Ellison, said Marines and sailors were mourning Hernandez and offered condolences to his family, friends and fellow Marines. He said the division’s focus was on supporting them while investigating the incident.