Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Navy PO3 Brandon Caserta, Age 21 of Flendale, AZ
Died Jun. 25, 2018
Petty Officer Third-class (PO3) Brandon Patrick Caserta was 17 years of age when he joined the US Navy in May of 2015, and left for boot camp in September of that year. His plan was to become an elite Navy SEAL.
Aircrew Aviation Electrician’s Mate Striker Brandon Caserta, 21 died by suicide on June 25, 2018. An investigation found that leadership at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia, “contributed” to his decision to take his own life.
Brandon joined when he was 17, he went to boot camp Navy Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. When he graduated, he went across the street to the Naval Station Great Lakes to attend what most call Pre-Pre-Buds. He then went to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego where he attended Pre-BUDS and the BUDS. Two weeks before “Hell Week” he passed out doing an exercise on the beach. When he woke up he was in the back of a pickup truck being taken to the famous bell they ring when they are done with the training. Brandon argued for about 15 minutes with the instructor stating that he did not want to tap out but needed medical attention and the instructor denied that request many times. Brandon refused to ring the bell so the instructor rang it for him. After leaving North Island, he went to the hospital where x-rays were taken only to find out his tibia was broken in two places. That is how he ended up in Norfolk. he went to Aviation Electrician school in Pensacola, FL, graduated, went to a “specialty school or C School” and ended up at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. His direct supervisor immediately started calling him a BUDS DUDS because he didn’t make it through SEAL training. That started all of the bullying, hazing, harassment and retaliation. During the investigations NCIS found LPO Jared Brose guilty of UCMJ Article 93- Cruelty and Maltreatment and sent him to another command in the same capacity.
If you would like to read Brandon’s story in detail you can follow the link below.
Follow this link to read his story in detail
We had a great 8.78 Mile walk today. We walked by Lake Holiday and then stopped by CCHS to see the Navy Jet. We then headed out to the American Legion post 163. Our next stop was by the Police Station and then Boat’s and Harbors to get a photo of their big boat anchor. We then stopped in at the War memorial down town and then headed home. It was a beautiful day to walk. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 119 honks. Thank you.
Navy PO3 Brandon Caserta will not be forgotten !
