A soldier with the Texas Army National Guard died Thursday during a training accident at the Fort Hood base. Sgt Bradley Moore, 36, of ...
A soldier with the Texas Army National Guard died Thursday during a training accident at the Fort Hood base.
Sgt Bradley Moore, 36, of Mansfield, Texas, was a noncommissioned officer with the Texas Army National Guard, according to the Texas Military Department State Public Affairs Office.
Officials said Moore died while conducting land navigation training at the base, where other deaths and incidents of violence have occurred in recent months.
'We are devastated by this tragic loss of one of our Soldiers,' said Maj Gen Tracy Norris, the Adjutant General for Texas.
'The military is a family, and the entire Texas National Guard mourns with Sgt Moore's loved ones left behind.'
Sgt Bradley Moore (pictured), 36, died Thursday during a training accident at the Fort Hood base. His cause of death is unknown. Moore's death is the latest in a string of suspicious deaths at the base
Moore's cause of death is undetermined at this time; however, no foul play is suspected.
The incident is under investigation and further information will be released as it becomes available, according to the Texas Military Department State Public Affairs Office.
Moore's death comes more than a week after Army leaders delayed the planned transfer of Fort Hood commander, Maj Gen Scott Efflandt.
Moore's death comes more than a week after Army leaders delayed the planned transfer of Fort Hood commander, Maj Gen Scott Efflandt (pictured)
The delay came as a team of investigators prepare to head to the base to determine whether leadership failures contributed to multiple murders and acts of violence at or near the base earlier this year.
Efflandt was slated to go to Fort Bliss, which is near El Paso, and take over leadership of the 1st Armored Division.
The Army said in a statement that he will now stay at Fort Hood, as Army leaders consider whether there were systemic problems at the base, and who should be held accountable.
Army Spc Vanessa Guillen, 20, was killed and dismembered by a fellow soldier. She had been missing since April, and her remains were found and identified last month.
The soldier suspected in Guillen's slaying, Spc Aaron Robinson, shot and killed himself early last month as police were trying to take him into custody.
A civilian, Cecily Aguilar 22, of Killeen, was arrested and charged with allegedly helping Robinson dispose of Guillén's body.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said members of the independent panel will arrive at the base by the end of the month to begin their review.
The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, which is stationed at Fort Hood, is also conducting a routine internal investigation into the matter.
Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, 20, was killed and dismembered by a fellow soldier. She disappeared from the base on April 22
Texas authorities have charged 28-year-old Brandon Michael Olivares, left, in connection to the May killing of Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans
In addition to those murders, the body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt. Mejhor Morta, was found last month by Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a reservoir near the base
McCarthy was asked whether anyone, including leaders, will be disciplined or fired.
He said that the independent panel will look into the 'command climate of the installation,' to determine if there is a 'sexual harassment-type toxic environment that exists'.
McCarthy said that will help the Army 'better understand more broadly, is it 3rd ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment) or is it larger? Is it the entire installation?'
In addition to Guillen's murder, Texas authorities recently charged 28-year-old Brandon Michael Olivares in connection to the May killing of Pfc Brandon Rosecrans, according to a release from the Harker Heights Police Department.
A team of investigators are preparing to head to the base to determine whether leadership failures contributed to the murders and acts of violence at or near the base this year
Olivares was already in the custody of the Bell County Sheriff's Office on unrelated charges and was given an additional murder charge for the killing after a warrant was issued on August 5.
Harker Heights Police said that an investigation revealed that the pair had been traveling together in Rosecrans's vehicle before the suspect allegedly shot him.
Olivares' bond has been set for $1,000,000.
Authorities retrieved the victim's vehicle on May 18, just a few miles from where his body was found. It was found burning.
In addition to those murders, the body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt Mejhor Morta, was found last month by Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a reservoir near the base.
In June, officials discovered the remains of another missing soldier, Gregory Morales, about 10 miles from that lake.
Once the independent panel's investigation is done, McCarthy said that if the panel's conclusions 'point to leaders or individuals, in particular, of course we will take the appropriate accountability' measures.
The five members of the independent review panel are: Chris Swecker, a North Carolina lawyer and former FBI inspector; Jonathan Harmon, a lawyer and graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point; Carrie Ricci, a lawyer for the Department of Agriculture and a retired Army officer; Queta Rodriguez, a former Marine who works with veterans' services; and Jack White, a lawyer and West Point graduate.
Brig Gen Matt Eichburg has been assigned to temporarily command the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss 'until further notice,' according to Army Col Cathy Wilkinson.
Normally an Army division is headed by a two-star major general, but on rare occasions one-star brigadier generals can be put in command.
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