Marine Killed at Marine Barracks: The “Trust Game?”
On August 10, Lance Corporal Cody Scott Shoenfelder died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at Marine Barracks, Washington DC. DC Police and the Marine Corps are now investigating whether or not Shoenfelder was killed while playing the “trust game,” apparently due to the fact that another Marine was present when Shoenfelder shot himself.
So far the situation is under investigation, though the media seems convinced that this shooting was due to the “trust game,” a foolish pastime engaged in by some Marines in the past. In the “trust game,” one Marine loads a pistol, takes the magazine out of battery (pressing the magazine release so that while the mag is still inserted in the weapon, it is not fully seated), then racks the slide, ejecting the round in the chamber. He then points the weapon at another Marine and asks, “Do you trust me?” If the answer is yes, he squeezes the trigger. In 2009, Cpl Matthew Nelson was sentenced to 8 years in prison for killing LCpl Patrick Malone in the “trust game.” At least two other fatalities are believed to be connected to this game.
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About the Author
Peter Nealen is a former Reconnaissance Marine and veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He deployed to Iraq in 2005-2006, and again in 2007, with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Recon Bn. After two years of schools and workups, including Scout/Sniper Basic and Team Leader's Courses, he deployed to Afghanistan with 4th Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, I MEF. He is now the author of the military thrillers Task Force Desperate, Hunting in the Shadows, and Alone and Unafraid. His latest American Praetorians thriller, The Devil You Don't Know, is now available on Amazon.
Absurd and tragic
We always called it, "The Lcpls Inquiror"
One policy I loved about Batt was if you had an ND you were out. But back then they were ADs. It added a fear of being given the boot above and beyond the other possible negative outcomes.
5000area375, ...In Africa, I was one of the first to get to try out a new locally made SMG, based on the Czechoslovakian M-25... but in 9mm... (Article on this down the road...) Vast improvement over Stens and good, but worn out Uzis. . ...SMGs that fire from the open bolt position... *Never* trust the safety when weapon cocked. German next to me at range had on safety while cocked. The first models had way too powerful spring... thing just let go and placed a 9mm round an inch from the side of my left foot.... We sent them back for alterations... and I never stood next to the German again. YP
I understand with an M4 to release pressure off the hammer spring. The weapon it happened with in the Agency's case was a P2000 with the LEM trigger which is a horrible double action type trigger. Actually not horrible but takes a lot of getting used to. I just really can't understand the stupidity of the game. I hate hearing these stories. In the LE environment it seems most NDs seem to come from rookies who just won't stop playing with their weapons since it is the first time they have ever had held one. I think that is a draw back of some states not having a strong gun culture as most of the guys who have the NDs seem to be from anti gun cities and states. I have heard of far less with ex mil or the red neck types.