21-Year-Old Marine Dies in Training Vehicle ‘Mishap’ After Joining the Military Less Than a Year Ago

A 21-year-old Marine has died following a tactical vehicle mishap in Southern California, officials said.

The Marine was identified as Pvt. First Class Tanner F. Rubio of Dixon, California, according to a news release issued by the Marine Corps on Friday, Dec. 5.

The incident took place on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, located about 38 miles from downtown San Diego.

Rubio was an infantry rifleman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He had joined the Marine Corps in January.

“The incident is currently under investigation,” the Marine Corps said in its statement. “To preserve the integrity of the investigation, no additional details are available at this time.”

Rubio’s father, Mark Rubio, told CBS affiliate KOVR that the family still does not fully know what occurred.

“The Marines sat us down and told us there had been an accident,” Mark said. “It’s just tragic to hear those words and the emotions rip through you. You can’t stop it.”

Officials said the fatal incident happened during training that was “unrelated to Exercise Steel Knight 25,” a two-week annual training exercise being conducted through Dec. 14 in California and Arizona, according to NBC affiliate KNSD.

Speaking with KOVR, Rubio’s uncle, Fermin Rubio, said he believed Tanner had already shown remarkable character at a young age.

“Tanner at 21 became more of a man than most men are at 50,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, said in a statement that Rubio’s death is being felt throughout the division.

“He will be sorely missed, but his honorable service to his country will not be forgotten,” he said. “All of us at the Blue Diamond will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

As the family mourns, Mark said they are deeply appreciative of the support they’ve received.

“For my son, the loss is huge and it’s tragic. But the gratitude I feel for everybody reaching out to us, and love and support in our community, has been amazing,” he said.