Santiago Canyon College’s international program supports students from 26 countries

• July 29, 2024

Students in SCC’s International Students Program come from 26 countries from around the world, including China, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Ski Lanka, France, Mexico and Colombia. As the 2024 fall semester nears, enrollment is inching toward last fall’s high of 101 students.

The number of international students has been growing steadily each year since the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s director, Jetza Torres, said. “We’re doing very, very well in our program.”

Santiago Canyon College has a reputation in the U.S. and abroad for its high-quality academic programs and student support services, Torres explained. In May, she accepted an Export Achievement Certificate from the Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The certificate recognizes businesses and educational institutions for their work with overseas markets.

The program recently was presented with a commendation from Rep. Young Kim, who represents California’s 40th congressional district.

Students in foreign countries learn about SCC from their high school counselors, recruiters, educational agencies or friends and family.

They’re attracted to SCC by the student-centered approach, personalized attention and its safe and welcoming environment, Torres said. They also appreciate the small class sizes where they won’t get lost. “Most of our international students come from private high schools where they are accustomed to classrooms with fewer students,” she said.

Business administration is a popular program among international students as are the many STEM programs, she points out.

The college accepts international students three times a year. “We have three intakes—we accept students in fall, spring and summer,” she said, explaining that this is to accommodate the high school calendars in foreign countries. “Our work at the international office never stops because we are recruiting, we are accepting applications, reviewing applications and issuing those admissions letters all year round.”

Jetza Torres received an Export Achievement Certificate from the Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce in recognition of SCC’s International Students Program. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, contributing photographer)

One recent SCC graduate, Muhammad Shahmir Shamim, 21, who was born in Pakistan and grew up in Saudi Arabia, had already enrolled in another U.S. college when he visited SCC at the invitation of a friend. He was immediately impressed with the friendliness of everyone he met on campus. He was even invited to sit in on a class he was interested in.

“Although they were full, they included me in the class,” he said. “And it was really, really welcoming.” He filled out all the paperwork as soon as he could and began attending SCC.

He encouraged his younger brother, Muhammad Shahwar Shamim, to also come to SCC. It wasn’t hard to convince him.

“First, I’m already there, so I knew the atmosphere,” said Shamim of his brother’s decision to join him. “Second, because of how helpful everyone is at Santiago Canyon College — not just international students, but everyone.”

Muhammad Shahmir studied computer science and will be transferring to UC Irvine. His younger brother worked hard so that he could graduate at the same time. He, too, studied computer science and is transferring to Cal State Fullerton.

The brothers credit their parents, both engineers and college professors in Saudi Arabia, for instilling in them the drive to get an education. Studying so far from home, they appreciate the support SCC provides.

The International Students program hosted students from 26 countries all over the world, and the number continues to grow. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, contributing photographer)

“The international student program office takes pride in offering exceptional customer service in college experience to ensure a student’s success,” said Torres, admitting that her business background causes her to express the success in business terms. She has worked in international business and education for more than 20 years. “The program helps them integrate into the campus socially and academically so they can transfer to a four-year college. Our students are our priority,” she said.

Looking back on their years at SCC, the Shamim brothers happily recalled the many social activities organized by SCC’s International Student Program, such as outings to baseball games and Universal Studios. During exams, students were taken to the beach to enjoy pizza and a bonfire to give them a break from the stress of studying.

International students bring a meaningful dimension to campus life, Torres said. “There is no doubt that hosting international students has many advantages for any U.S. education institution,” she said. “It promotes global citizens, promotes intercultural understanding and enhances that diversity of perspective in class discussions. We can all benefit from that.”

Whether in the classroom or outside, meeting students from other countries broadens the view of American students. “Just interacting with international students from different backgrounds enables all students to form new perspectives and perhaps see the world in a different way,” Torres said. “Bringing people from around the world into campus is a great way to learn about the experiences of others and allow us to be more understanding and respectful of those differences. So, international students promote cultural awareness and enhance that diversity of perspective in class discussions.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers add Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech in three-team trade

• July 29, 2024

The Dodgers made a three-team trade they hope will help them in at least two ways.

On one leg of the deal, they acquired switch-hitting utilityman Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals. On the other, they added right-handed reliever Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers also received 17-year-old right-hander Oliver Gonzalez who is currently pitching in the Dominican Summer League.

In exchange, they gave up Miguel Vargas, once considered the top prospect in the Dodgers’ system, and two infielders from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus. Both Perez and Albertus were ranked among the Dodgers’ top 20 prospects by Baseball America. Perez appeared in the All-Star Futures Game earlier this month.

Also in the deal, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired right-handed starter Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham.

In Edman, the Dodgers add a former Gold Glove winner (at second base in 2021) who was also a finalist in 2022 and 2023 when a utility position was added to the award – but one who hasn’t played a major-league game in 2024.

Edman had surgery on his right wrist last October and missed the first half of this season while recovering. He began a rehab assignment in Double-A earlier this month but his return was pushed back when he suffered a sprained ankle while doing defensive drills. He resumed his rehab assignment after the All-Star break and has played eight games – but only as a DH.

When healthy, Edman is an excellent defender who has played six positions – second and third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions. He could fill in at shortstop until Miguel Rojas returns or give the Dodgers another option in the outfield with Vargas traded and neither James Outman nor Andy Pages providing consistent offense.

Edman represents an upgrade over Chris Taylor (who is currently on the Injured List) and Kiké  Hernandez (batting .204 in 80 games this season) who have not been productive offensively in utility roles this season. As a switch-hitter, Edman has been slightly better batting left-handed.

In Kopech, the Dodgers add a hard-throwing right-hander who converted from starter to reliever full time this season.

The 33rd overall pick in the 2014 draft, Kopech threw a pitch 105 mph in Class-A in 2016 and was a key part of the trade package the Boston Red Sox sent to Chicago for Chris Sale that year. Kopech made the majors for four starts in 2018 but missed the rest of that season and all of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery then skipped the 2020 season during the COVID pandemic.

In the White Sox rotation for the most part in 2022 and 2023, he went 10-21 with a 4.52 ERA and led the American League in walks last season when he had a 5.43 ERA. Moved to the bullpen this season, Kopech’s fastball has averaged 98.5 mph and he struck out 59 in 43 ⅔ innings but his ERA was 4.74.

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He joins a bullpen that has been breaking under a heavy workload recently with Evan Phillips, in particular, struggling. Over the past 11 games, the Dodgers’ bullpen has a 6.16 ERA.

Neither Edman nor Kopech can become a free agent until after the 2025 season. Edman signed a two-year contract in January that will pay him $7 million this season and $9.5 million in 2025. Kopech will be arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason.

ALSO

The Dodgers also traded right-hander Ricky Vanasco to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. Vanasco was designated for assignment last week. Vanasco made two relief appearances with the Dodgers this season, his first major league action.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 8-6, 3.47 ERA) at Padres (RHP Matt Waldron, 6-9, 3.64 ERA), Tuesday, 6:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

​ Orange County Register 

Women need more sleep than men do, studies say

• July 29, 2024

Avery Newmark | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

It turns out there might be a scientific reason behind women needing extra “beauty sleep.” Studies show, on average, women require about 11 minutes more sleep per night than men do. Although this difference might seem small, it can have significant implications for overall health and well-being.

Research is limited, but the reasoning points to hormones, according to the Sleep Foundation. Women experience a roller coaster of hormonal changes throughout their lives — from menstruation to pregnancy and menopause. Each of these stages can disrupt sleep patterns. Women are also 40% more likely than men to suffer from insomnia.

“When it comes to physiology, women’s hormones have a huge role to play in sleep,” Dr. Aileen Alexander, a women’s health and sleep expert, told Glamour magazine. “Overall, this means women are suggested to have a greater need for sleep and are more likely to indulge in daytime naps.”

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Beyond biological factors, societal expectations and responsibilities also contribute to women’s sleep needs. Research has shown women often shoulder the majority of household and caregiving duties, leading to increased fatigue and stress, according to Glamour. “Women are typically the ones who get up through the night to support children or, in some cases, elderly parents,” Alexander said. These added pressures may require more sleep to recover and maintain optimal cognitive function.

However, individual sleep needs can vary from person to person, regardless of sex. Factors such as age, lifestyle and overall health all contribute to a person’s optimal sleep duration.

“While we need more research to understand the gender gap between men and women’s sleep requirements and cycles, the consequences of not getting enough sleep are well evidenced and can have a huge impact on both men and women,” Alexander said.

To get the proper rest you need, experts recommend adults sleep between seven and nine hours a night. If you still find yourself not getting enough rest, talk to your doctor.

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

5 ways credit cards can offer a break on back-to-school purchases

• July 29, 2024

By Melissa Lambarena | NerdWallet

As back-to-school season approaches, your kids may have outgrown their clothes — but they don’t have to outgrow your budget.

Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics, according to data from the National Retail Federation. For college students and their families, the expected amount on items for the coming year is an average of $1,364.75.

Here’s how credit cards can cut some of those costs.

1. Rewards

Reward rates vary by type of card, but a decent return for cash-back credit cards might range from 2% back per dollar spent to 5% back on rotating bonus categories. Those rewards can be redeemed for cash or a statement credit to offset school purchases, for example, or applied to future travel.

A credit card that earns cash back generally requires good credit (typically, FICO scores of 690 or higher). A rewards credit card is ideal only if you pay your balance off in full every month to avoid interest charges. Otherwise, the steep interest rates on these cards will cancel out the value of rewards.

You can leverage these kinds of credit cards with purchases already allocated in your budget like gas, certain utilities or groceries, said Barbara Quan, accredited financial counselor and manager of financial education at Golden 1 Credit Union, in an email.

2. Sign-up bonuses

A credit card sign-up bonus can be worth hundreds of dollars if you meet the minimum spending requirement with planned expenses. If you’re seeking a new credit card, it’s one way to potentially defray the costs of back-to-school spending or lessen the costs of other expenses.

“Many cards offer hundreds of dollars in cash back or rewards points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months,” Quan said. “By strategically timing your back-to-school shopping to coincide with this period, you can earn the bonus while purchasing necessary items like clothes, supplies and electronics.”

Quan suggested doing research to select a card that aligns with your spending patterns and overall financial goals. A budget that outlines projected expenses during the bonus period can also help you track your progress and prevent overspending, she added.

3. Interest-free windows for purchases

Certain gadgets and supplies carry hefty price tags. A rewards credit card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate can offer breathing room for large purchases. You still have to pay monthly, but you won’t be charged interest during the promotional period.

A word of caution, though: A store credit card may also offer an interest-free promotion that might sound like a true 0% introductory APR, but is actually a deferred interest offer. Typically advertised as “special financing” or “no interest if paid in full,” a deferred interest offer means that interest is postponed but continues accruing in the background, to be applied at a later date if you don’t finish paying off the balance by the deadline.

A deferred interest offer can still be a useful way to finance a purchase, but you’ll need to make absolutely sure you can pay it off on time to avoid owing interest charges retroactive to the time of the original purchase. The ongoing interest rates on these store credit cards can run high, so these charges could be a pricey surprise that derails your finances if you’re not prepared to cover them.

4. Online shopping portals

Multiply your credit card rewards by shopping through the card’s bonus mall or linked offers. For example, a credit card issuer might offer a discount or additional rewards if you use that card to shop with select merchants.

Before you hit the stores in person or online, browse your credit card offers by logging into your account. If you find some money-saving opportunities, map out a plan that maximizes the value of your purchases.

5. Credits

A few credit cards may offer credits for streaming services, meal plan subscriptions, grocery or restaurant delivery services, or other useful options that could save money or simplify the transition back to school. As you adjust to a new schedule, such a credit could potentially save you money on a music subscription for the car ride to school, or a meal prep service that gives you some time back.

Look up your credit card online or log into your account to see whether it provides any helpful credits.

Melissa Lambarena writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @LissaLambarena.

The article 5 Ways Credit Cards Can Offer a Break on Back-to-School Purchases originally appeared on NerdWallet.

​ Orange County Register 

More than half of US renters who want to buy a home fear they’ll never afford one

• July 29, 2024

By Matt Egan | CNN

The dream of homeownership feels out of reach for many American families.

The vast majority (86%) of current renters in the United States say they would like to buy a home — but can’t afford one, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS released Monday.

Among those same renters who can’t afford to buy a home right now, 54% think it’s unlikely they’ll ever be able to, the poll found.

The findings underscore the damage done by the one-two punch of surging home prices and elevated mortgage rates, creating an affordability crisis. And given that homeownership is the ticket to wealth generation in America, that pessimism exacerbates the risk that the divide between the haves and have-nots will only grow.

Younger people especially are having trouble buying a home right now. The CNN poll found that 90% of renters younger than 45 say they’d like to buy but can’t afford it, compared with 79% of those age 45 and above.

Not surprisingly, younger Americans are more hopeful that situation will change.

Most adults (53%) younger than 45 who want to buy but can’t afford it believe it’s at least somewhat likely they’ll eventually be able to buy a home. That’s compared with just 32% of those 45 and older.

‘Homeownership seems impossible’

Even some working parents in high-paying jobs are struggling to keep up with the spike in home prices.

Brent Bjornsen, a 39-year-old pediatrician and father of two in Phoenix is renting a home as he digs out from student debt.

“Buying a home is absolutely something we would love to do,” Bjornsen told CNN. “It seems out of reach.”

Bjornsen said his wife works part-time at an elementary school. The couple was dealt a financial setback when Hurricane Harvey flooded their Houston apartment.

“We’re straddled with seemingly insurmountable debt,” he said. “Homeownership seems impossible…and that hurts for two kids of Baby Boomers and feels like a disappointment.”

Two-thirds of Americans currently renting (68%) say their family owned a home when they were growing up, according to the CNN poll.

High rates. Even higher prices

The good news is that mortgage rates — one of the main obstacles to homeownership — have eased a bit. in recent months. And if the Federal Reserve is able to deliver interest rate cuts this fall and winter, rates could fall further.

However, home prices continue to rise. A price spike that began during the pandemic has pushed home ownership out of reach for many.

The median existing-home price climbed to a record of $426,900 in June, according to the National Association of Realtors. That was 4.1% higher than a year earlier and the second straight month of record home prices on data going back to 1999.

Among renters who want to buy but can’t afford it, 40% say the biggest barrier is saving for a down payment, according to the CNN poll.

Nearly a third (31%) say the biggest obstacle to buying a home is high interest rates. Just 17% say the inability to qualify for a mortgage is the biggest hurdle.

‘We have given up’

Jeremy Andersson, a digital marketing specialist living north of Atlanta, is among those Millennials who have lost hope.

“We have given up on homeownership,” Andersson told CNN.

The 40-year-old father of twin toddlers wanted to buy a home when his wife became pregnant in 2019.

“We felt the societal pressure to buy a house because that’s the American Dream, right? Have a family and buy a house,” he said.

Seventy percent of Americans call owning a home essential to achieving the American dream, the CNN poll found. That includes about two-thirds (65%) of those currently renting.

But like other families, Andersson and his wife were dismayed by what they could afford.

“I’m not going to pay $350,000 for a run-down house. It almost seems laughable. We can’t find anything affordable for a family of four,” he said. “I’m not going to play your game anymore. I’m done.”

In some markets, starter homes are fetching nearly three times that price.

$1 million starter homes

According to Zillow, the typical starter home is now worth $1 million or more in 237 cities. That’s up from just 84 cities in 2019 before Covid.

Perhaps that’s why many homeowners don’t think they’ll be able to buy in this market.

The CNN poll found that just about one-third (32%) of current homeowners think they could afford to buy a similar home in their neighborhood today.

Even among households earning $100,000 a year or more, most doubt they’d be able to afford to buy something similar today.

“We did everything we were supposed to do. We went to college. We did well. We got jobs. We’re not felons,” Andersson said. “I’ve worked my tail off and so has my wife.”

This situation has taken an emotional toll on Andersson.

“At first, I wondered if I was a failure as a father or husband because I can’t get my kids a lawn to play on,” he said. “It’s taken a lot of soul-searching to understand this is not my fault. It’s the fault of a poorly planned system.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Olympic basketball: U.S. women open pursuit of gold with rout of Japan

• July 29, 2024

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 24 points and Breanna Stewart added 22 to help the U.S. women’s basketball team beat Japan 102-76 on Monday night in the Olympic opener for both teams.

The Americans now have a 56-game Olympic winning streak that dates to the 1992 Barcelona Games.

The last of those victories before Monday also came against Japan when the two teams played for the gold medal in the Tokyo Games three years ago. The U.S. came away with a 90-75 win for its seventh straight gold medal.

Now Monday’s victory tipped off the run to keep that streak going.

Japan, which was severely undersized against the U.S., used its frenetic style of shooting 3s off drives to the basket to try and keep the game close.

It worked for about 17 minutes as Japan only trailed 37-32 with 3:01 left before the half. The U.S. then scored 13 of the final 19 points before break, including a three-point play by Wilson with 8.2 seconds left to open up a double-digit lead.

The Americans, who next play on Thursday against Belgium, put the game away in the third quarter. Chelsea Gray had nifty passes to Wilson for easy scores and the U.S. was off and running. Japan never threatened.

Maki Takada scored 24 points, and Mai Yamamoto added 17 for Japan, which hit 15 3-pointers. The U.S. made only four of its 20 3-point attempts.

This was Brittney Griner’s first game internationally since she spent time in a Russian prison in 2022 after she was sentenced to nine years in jail for drug possession and smuggling. Playing for her country again was a far-fetched idea at that point. Ten months later, she was free after a high-profile prisoner exchange.

Now, 19 months later, she’s suiting up for the U.S. in the Paris Games — her first trip to play overseas since returning from Russia.

Griner was huge in the 2021 gold medal game, scoring 30 points. It was the most points scored by an American player in a gold medal contest.

She had 11 points and nine rebounds Monday. With Wilson grabbing 13, the Americans had a dominating 56-27 advantage on the boards.

Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum each added 11 points for the Americans.

The U.S. had a scary moment in the second quarter when Kahleah Copper collided with Rui Machida on Japan and was down for a minute before getting up and walking off and holding her side. She returned in the fourth quarter and looked fine.

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Nigeria 75, Australia 62

Ezinne Kalu made her first four 3-pointers and scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half Monday as Nigeria earned its first win in women’s basketball at the Olympics since 2004, upsetting Australia.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Games and went winless in Tokyo. Australia is led by coach Sandy Brondello from the WNBA’s New York Liberty and came in ranked third in the world, compared to 12th for Nigeria.

In other women’s games Monday, Germany won its Olympic debut, beating Belgium and host France topped Canada in front of a spirited crowd.

​ Orange County Register 

Over in Paris, First Lady and Mayor Bass start countdown to LA 2028 Olympics

• July 29, 2024

This weekend as Paris kicked off the 2024 Olympic Games, First Lady Jill Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined together in the City of Lights to start the countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games in L.A.

In less than 1,500 days the Olympics arrive in America and the U.S Presidential Delegation to the opening ceremony is trying to make every moment count as they study the logistics of the Paris Games, meet with regional stakeholders and, of course, find time to cheer on Team USA athletes. The delegation includes Bass, Biden, US. Sen. Alex Padilla, U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer and Chair of LA28 Casey Wasserman, among others.

Biden set off the official countdown clock at a Saturday morning reception hosted at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Paris, where she thanked Bass and Wasserman for their efforts to make the Olympic flame “shine brightly in our nation once again,” according to White House pool reports.

During her speech, the First Lady waxed poetic about the allure of Los Angeles, praising its surf and skate culture and noting that international fans will find themselves reflected in the multicultural fabric of the city.

“Under the endless blue skies of Los Angeles, breakdancers glide on concrete plazas, surfers coast on crashing waves, and rollerbladers spin in skate parks by the beach,” Biden said. “It’s a city where new generations of dreamers shape our culture in music studios and on movie sets. A city where communities from around the world live side by side, their cuisines merge, and though the lines of culture blur, their identity as one city becomes brighter and more defined.”

Bass introduced the First Lady and shared her own hopes for the 2028 games. She also thanked Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo for her hospitality, saying, “We know that our partnership will not end at the close of the games, that will be another amazing legacy of Olympic cooperation.”

Casey Wasserman, who is leading the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, told a little-known story about the role President Joe Biden played in helping bring the Olympics to Los Angeles.

Wasserman recalled how in 2015 he was unable to get then-President Barack Obama to pay attention to the Association of National Olympic Committees’ General Assembly in Washington D.C. — a key first event in L.A.’s effort to secure the Olympic bid.

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“In case you hadn’t notice, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and some of its leadership feels that they are like heads of state and expect to be treated and get that kind of welcome,” said Wasserman.

Fortunately, then-Vice President Biden stepped in to save the day, Wasserman recalled, by making a last-minute appearance at the conference.

“He came on stage and spoke for 20 minutes and blew the room way,” said Wasserman. “And I will tell you it set the stage for a totally different relation with the Olympic Committee for our two-year journey to bid for the game. That was a really special moment.”

Also in attendance at the LA28 reception in Paris on Saturday was tennis legend and Long Beach native Billie Jean King, who won 39 Grand Slam titles and was once ranked number one in the world.

“To Billie Jean King, it’s wonderful to see you,” said Jill Biden. “You’ve always inspired us to chase down our dreams, on and off the court.”

While at the games this weekend, King found time to link up with fellow Long Beach homie and Long Beach Polytechnic High School Alumni Snoop Dogg.

Met the incomparable @SnoopDogg.

Both of us were born and raised in Long Beach, California, and graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School.

LBC forever in our hearts.#Olympics #paris2024 pic.twitter.com/GlQ9DxzRvi

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 29, 2024

The rap icon, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., was hired by NBC to be part of its broadcast team for Paris Games.

His unusual appointment comes amid a push to bring viewers back to the Olympics, which hit an all time low of 15.5 million prime-time viewers during the 2016 Tokyo Games — less than half the viewers of the London 2012 games.

So far Snoop has been serving up the smiles, be it by freestyle rapping at the opening ceremony or proudly cheering on American gymnast Simone Biles while wearing a t-shirt with a giant photo of her face. Also in attendance at Biles’s highly anticipated return to the Olympics on Sunday were some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Tom Cruise, Jessica Chastain, Greta Gerwig and Cynthia Erivo.

Both Snoop and Bass served as Olympic torch bearers in the rally leading up to the opening ceremony, which Bass described as “incredible” despite the sporadic rainfall.

Amidst all the fanfare Bass also carved out time to meet with French elected officials and strategize how the city of L.A. can use their expertise to maximize the benefit it reaps from the games.

“We look forward to leveraging this experience when we return home, connecting our local small businesses, creating local jobs, and making lasting environmental and transportation improvements throughout the Los Angeles region,” she said in a statement.

Bass flew home to Los Angeles on Sunday evening, but will be back in Paris for the closing ceremony on Aug. 11 when she will receive the official Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Hidalgo.

​ Orange County Register 

Marine dies in rollover accident while training at Twentynine Palms

• July 29, 2024

A Marine involved in a vehicle rollover at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms has died, military officials said Monday.

The Marine was part of the Tactical Exercise Control Group overseeing a service-level exercise on Saturday, July 27, when the vehicle flipped. The exercises, which include live-fire and combined arms use, are designed to qualify Marine battalions for upcoming deployments and missions.

While it is unclear what the Marine was doing, officials said the rollover occurred with a high-mobility multi-purpose vehicle.

The lightweight vehicle is four-wheel drive, agile and carries military weapons from machine guns to anti-tank missile launchers. It can travel through deserts and jungles and climb 60-degree slopes while traversing 60 inches of water.

The Marine was first treated at Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms and then flown to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where doctors pronounced him dead on Sunday, July 28.

No other Marines were injured in the incident.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Marine during this difficult time,” Marine officials said in a statement.

The Marine’s identity will not be released until after all next-of-kin notifications have been completed. His unit is based at Twentynine Palms.

The Marine Corps has had its share of fatal vehicle rollovers. In 2021, the  U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report that reviewed rollovers in both the Marine Corps and Army and found that between 2010 and 2019, the two service branches reported 3,753 non-combat vehicle accidents, in which 124 people died. Vehicle rollovers were the cause of death in 63% of the accidents.

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Report finds 124 Marine and Army deaths caused by non-combat accidents, offers 9 recommendations
Families of military killed in training band together to push lawmakers into action
More military die in training than in war; here’s what’s being done
Special Operations Raider killed in training at Camp Pendleton is identified
One Marine dead, others injured in ACV rollover at Camp Pendleton

The report was prompted in 2019 at the request of lawmakers spurred on by families whose relatives had died in the accidents. Among the most vocal were the parents and then-fiancee of 1st Lt. Conor McDowell, 24, who died in a training rollover accident in the Las Pulgas area of Camp Pendleton on May 9, 2019. Six other Marines suffered moderate injuries.

Less than a month before McDowell died, another Camp Pendleton Marine, Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica, 29, a member of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, was also killed in a rollover accident. The men were two of six killed and nine injured in a two month period that year.

The GAO made recommendations, and both the Marines and Army agreed to implement greater safety procedures in the vehicles and on the ranges.

In December, a Marine died at Camp Pendleton when an Amphibious Combat Vehicle rolled over. The vehicle was training on land when the rollover occurred. Fourteen others inside the vehicle were also injured but then released after being hospitalized.

Marines are investigating the cause of this weekend’s rollover at Twentynine Palms.

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