FORT KNOX, Ky. – A drill sergeant was given a bad-conduct discharge Tuesday after he was convicted of punching soldier trainees and knocking them to the ground, then threatening to punish them if they cooperated with an investigation.
Staff Sgt. Michael Rhoades (search), 33, was also ordered to serve 30 days of confinement, but a military judge suspended that portion of the sentence.
Rhoades was the second drill sergeant convicted at Fort Knox (search) after four were charged with abusing trainees. All were members of Company E, 1st Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment.
Sgt. 1st Class David Price (search), 36, was tried last month and had his rank reduced by one grade after admitting to abuses. Two more drill sergeants are scheduled for court-martial in June.
Soldiers in training first complained about the abuse to military officials in February and were moved to a new training company after an investigation began.
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