Marine convicted of hazing incidents, has rank reduced

Hazing is a serious offense that doesn’t just show up in fraternities and sororities. Just ask Staff Sgt. Dustin A. Barker from Scott, Kentucky who was recently convicted of humiliating and physically abusing those under his command.

Barker was convicted in a general court-martial at Naval Station Norfolk and was charged with one count of hazing and also received a reduction in rank. He was also convicted of dereliction of duty in a separate incident.

According to the Associated Press, Barker was accused of hazing Marines under his command in 2013 at bases in Virginia and Cuba as a platoon sergeant with the Marine Corps Security Forces Regiment. Barker was found guilty in only one incident where he ordered one Marine to punch another so hard he urinated blood while at the Navy’s base in Guantanamo Bay.

Other accusations made against Barker include ordering one Marine to strike another with a rock, another to punch himself in the face, and two others to punch each other. It was also said while at the Quantico, Virginia base, he made Marines run “excessive distances” while wearing heavy equipment. 

However, Barker was found not guilty of these allegations and a charge against him saying he forced a Marine to cut the grass of Guantanamo Bay with scissors was withdrawn.

Barker joined the Marines in 2002 and earned many medals and honors throughout his career that took him to Iraq and Afghanistan, including two awards for good conduct and one for humanitarian service.

On Friday, Barker had his rank reduced to sergeant.