Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 19-year-old Specialist assigned to U.S. Army Reserve Center, New Jersey, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 30 May 2025 in Taiwan at 1715 local. The Soldier was on leave at a beach when he was pulled out to sea by the current. His body was recovered the following day. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the fifth off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the third off-duty water-related fatality of FY25. 

Safety Tips

• Only undertake ocean activities when a lifeguard is present.
• Check the water conditions before you go out, paying particular attention to hazards such as rip currents, rocks and shore breaks. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Know your limits and don’t push beyond your abilities.
• It’s important that you know how to swim if you go snorkeling. At a minimum, wear a flotation device.
• Wave heights can increase quickly. If they do, dive underneath the wave, come up behind it and then swim to shore between wave sets.
• Do not go into the ocean under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which greatly increase your risk of drowning.
• If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm and go with the flow – don't fight the current. Once the rip current releases you offshore, swim at an angle away from the current, toward the shore, and call or signal for help.

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A 34-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 24 May 2025 in Raeford, North Carolina, at 1300 local. The Soldier was discovered submerged underwater at his community pool and then retrieved by other patrons arriving at the scene. He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the fourth off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the second off-duty water-related fatality of FY25.

Safety Tips

• Learn to swim. Basic swimming skills are essential for water safety. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Be aware of your limits. Don't push yourself beyond your capabilities, especially if you are a weaker swimmer. If you are a weak swimmer, wear a life jacket.
• Obey pool rules and signs. Public pools may have different rules regarding conduct and play, including allowed toys and attire. Pool rules are designed to protect swimmers, so follow them.
• Avoid alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming or other water activities. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination.
• Use the buddy system. Always swim with a buddy. Choose swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible. The buddy system is especially beneficial for people with medical conditions that increase their risk of drowning.
• Take additional precautions for medical conditions. Know if your medical condition might increase your risk for drowning and take extra care. Take extra precautions around water if you or a family member have other conditions that can increase the risk of drowning.
• Consider the effects of medications. Avoid swimming if you take medications that impair your balance, coordination or judgment. These side effects increase the risk of drowning.
• Don't hyperventilate or hold your breath for a long time. Do not hyperventilate before swimming underwater or try to hold your breath underwater for long periods of time. This can cause you to pass out and drown. This is sometimes called "hypoxic blackout" or "shallow-water blackout.”

The Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation includes a section dedicated to water-related activities that contains statistics, contributing factors, prevention tips and other relevant information. You can download the full presentation or the Water-Related Activities breakout from the In the Spotlight Series at https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.

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A 61-year-old lieutenant colonel assigned to Sgt. Charles R. Long United States Army Reserve Center, Independence, Missouri, died in a Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 12 May 2025 in Maries County, Missouri, at 1945 local. The Soldier was driving his privately owned utility task vehicle (UTV) on a gravel road when he lost control and struck a tree. Additional information is currently available.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the third off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Adhere to speed limits and adjust speed based on the terrain and conditions.
• Always wear a seat belt when operating a UTV.
• Make wide turns and avoid sharp maneuvers, especially on uneven ground.
• When reversing, use a spotter if necessary and always look behind you.
• Drive straight up or down hills to prevent rollover accidents.
• Slow down to turn.
• Use four-wheel drive, if available, and slow speeds on slippery surfaces to prevent skidding.
• Maintain payloads within weight limits and secure them for travel.
• Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
• Familiarize yourself with the terrain and its challenges before riding.
• Consider wearing a protective suit if riding alone.

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A 37-year-old assigned to Vicenza, Italy, died in and off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 19 April 2025 in Bosnia, at 2000 local. The Soldier was hiking when he slipped and fell into a ravine.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the second fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY25 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

• Use the buddy system.
• Make an emergency plan. Before heading out, know how you will call or send for help in the unlikely event something bad happens. Remember, you may not have reliable cell service where you are hiking.
• Drink and carry plenty of water (a minimum of one quart per person every two hours). Although stream, river and lake water may look clean, it can make you ill.
• Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to help prevent injury.
• Don’t walk off-trail. Walking off-trail increases your chance of suffering an injury or getting lost.
• Tell a responsible person back at camp or at home where you are going and when you plan on returning.
• Never feed or touch wildlife.

For more information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov.

 

 

A 26-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 8 November 2024 in Richmond Hill, Georgia, at 0224 local. While fishing from a dock, the Soldier jumped into the river to retrieve a loose crab trap. He was last seen submerging underwater. Fellow Soldiers attempted to locate him but were unsuccessful. The Soldiers immediately contacted local authorities and notified their chain of command. Local authorities recovered the Soldier and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the first fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY25 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Fishing Dock Safety Tips:
 

• Check the weather conditions. Stormy weather and thunderstorms are extremely dangerous if you’re out on the water but can be just as deadly for someone standing on a dock. If the weather seems rough, reschedule your fishing trip.
   
• If the weather is appropriate for fishing, let someone close to you know about your fishing plans. Just in case something happens, it will be good for someone to know where you are and when you are expected to return.
   
• Regardless of your swimming skills, always wear a properly fitted life jacket when you’re on the dock. It can be a lifesaver if you accidentally slip or fall into the water.
   
• Be aware of unseen water hazards. Natural water bodies like rivers, lakes and oceans have many hidden hazards below the surface of the water that you can’t see such as swift currents, submerged trees, unexpected holes and steep drop-offs to name a few.
   

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