MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — The Marine Corps confirmed Friday that First Sergeant Ramon A. Aguilar, 42, of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, is under investigation by the 4th Marine Regiment’s inspector general following allegations that he required all 178 members of Bravo Company to stand at attention before a raked gravel administrative area adjacent to the battalion headquarters building and deliver individual verbal apologies of no less than thirty seconds in length.
The gravel area in question measures approximately 16 by 22 feet. It is maintained in a raked condition in accordance with base beautification standards. It serves no operational function.
It had, according to 1stSgt. Aguilar, been disrespected.
“Someone walked through that gravel,” said 1stSgt. Aguilar, in a statement provided through his legal counsel. “In a non-regulation manner. On a Thursday. I took corrective action. That is within my authority as first sergeant.”
The corrective action, as documented in statements provided by 23 Bravo Company Marines to the investigating officer, consisted of a company formation conducted at 0530 on May 2nd. Each Marine was required to approach the gravel area individually, come to the position of attention at its edge, and deliver a verbal apology of no less than thirty seconds to the gravel. First Sergeant Aguilar assessed each apology and indicated whether it met his standard.
Forty-one Marines passed on the first attempt.
Three did not.
Those three Marines were required to repeat the apology until it was accepted.
“He was not visibly upset,” said one Bravo Company lance corporal, who asked not to be identified by name, rank, or the number of apology attempts it took him. “He seemed satisfied. Like he had been working toward this for a long time.”
The formation lasted two hours and forty-seven minutes. It concluded with a brief raking demonstration conducted by First Sergeant Aguilar himself, who completed the demonstration without comment and then dismissed the company.
The battalion executive officer, Major David L. Keefe, was informed of the formation after the fact. A spokesperson for 2nd Battalion confirmed that Major Keefe observed the final portion of the formation and did not immediately intervene. The spokesperson declined to clarify what Major Keefe believed he was watching.
First Sergeant Aguilar has been placed on administrative hold pending the investigation’s outcome. He has been temporarily reassigned to base administrative duties. He has submitted a written statement asserting that the formation was conducted entirely within the scope of his authority and that the gravel area is now in excellent condition.
This is confirmed. The gravel has since been assessed by base beautification personnel as “well-maintained.”
The individual who walked through the gravel in a non-regulation manner on the Thursday in question has not been identified.
The investigation is ongoing.
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