CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Corps confirmed Tuesday that all scheduled training operations across the 2nd Marine Division have been placed on administrative hold pending resolution of a property accountability discrepancy involving one plastic canteen cap, government-issue, with an estimated replacement value of $4.50.
The cap was last observed on the afternoon of April 28th, affixed to an M1967-pattern canteen assigned to Corporal Anthony R. Salazar, 21, of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. It was reported missing the following morning during a first-call accountability formation. The report traveled up the chain of command in approximately twenty-two minutes.
The division-wide training stand-down was ordered forty-eight hours later.
“We don’t lose accountability of property in this division,” said Colonel Brian P. Hartwick, 3rd Battalion commanding officer, during a brief statement delivered to assembled media at the Camp Lejeune public affairs office, which maintains climate-controlled conference rooms. “When a Marine cannot account for a piece of equipment, regardless of value, we take that seriously. We will take it seriously until it is found.”
The canteen cap was manufactured in fiscal year 2019. It weighs approximately four grams. The Federal Stock Number is 8465-01-591-7432.
To date, the accountability search has involved three company-level formations, two battalion property inventories, and one division-wide equipment layout that required approximately 6,200 Marines to account for all assigned gear simultaneously. The layout, which began at 0430 on May 1st, recovered four items previously reported lost: a rifle sling belonging to a Marine who separated from the Corps in 2023, a pair of boot insoles, an entrenching tool that had been serving as a doorstop in Building 3114, and $14 in cash of unknown origin.
The canteen cap was not among the recovered items.
“We’re pursuing every avenue,” said Gunnery Sergeant Diane M. Crowell, property accountability officer for 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. “The accountability process exists for a reason. Today it is a canteen cap. Tomorrow it could be something that costs considerably more than $4.50. The discipline we build around this is the discipline that holds everything together.”
She was asked whether anything had been located during the division-wide layout that was previously unaccounted for.
“Yes,” she said.
She did not elaborate.
Corporal Salazar, the Marine to whom the cap was assigned, has been placed on extra duty pending the accountability investigation’s conclusion. He has been assigned to the motor pool. The motor pool is adjacent to Building 3114. He has not been told what was under the entrenching tool.
A spokesperson for 2nd Marine Division said the stand-down is expected to remain in effect through the end of the week, at which point a senior leader review will determine whether operations may resume. The spokesperson confirmed a replacement canteen cap has been ordered through the Defense Logistics Agency.
It is expected to arrive by May 30th.
Training will resume when accountability is confirmed.
Accountability has not been confirmed.
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