The classic image of a Marine Corps drill instructor is that of a rigid disciplinarian whose job is to break recruits down before building them back up as combat-ready troops.
But prosecutors at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot near downtown San Diego claim at least three drill instructors swerved from that role and abused recruits.
The trial for one of the accused, Sgt. Jerrod M. Glass, was due to begin Tuesday. Glass is charged with two counts of assault, two counts of failure to obey a lawful order, two counts of cruelty and maltreatment, and four counts of destruction of personal property.
Defense lawyer Capt. Patrick J. Callahan did not immediately respond to an e-mail message seeking comment Thursday.
Glass allegedly ordered a recruit to jump headfirst into a trash can and then pushed him farther into the container. He is also accused of striking recruits with a tent pole and a heavy flashlight. None of the recruits was seriously injured.
Glass was initially charged with 225 counts of abusing recruits in 110 cases between Dec. 23 and Feb. 10. According to a Marine Corps statement, the charges were consolidated in "the interest of judicial economy."
Glass had worked as a drill sergeant for less than a year when the suspected mistreatment occurred.
About 17,000 recruits graduate each year from the San Diego depot. It is one of only two depots nationwide; the other is in Parris Island, S.C.
Two other drill instructors - Sgt. Robert C. Hankins and Sgt. Brian M. Wendel - also face recruit abuse charges in San Diego.
