Three sailors assigned to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes have died over the past month, the Naval Education and Training Command told USNI News.
The training command identified the three sailors as Chief Gunner’s Mate Daniel Dlask, Chief Damage Controlman Reba Miller and Machinist’s Mate First Class Jacob Lavold.
“These losses have deeply affected our command and the Navy community,” reads the statement from NETC spokesperson Cmdr. Laura Stegherr.
Dlask passed on April 18, a Navy official told USNI News. Miller died on April 28, while Lavold died on Wednesday. USNI News visited Naval Station Great Lakes on Wednesday.
NETC directed an investigation into the deaths, looking at potential contributing factors. The Navy statement did not include any information on the manner or circumstances of death. Rear Adm. Robert Nowakowski, the deputy commander for force development, will serve as the investigating officer.
Navy Criminal Investigative Service is also investigating each individual death, a Navy official confirmed.
The Navy is not releasing additional details at this time, according to the release. An obituary for Miller did not list details about her death but mentioned that she died in Libertyville, Ill., not far from Great Lakes.
Two local officials told USNI News that Lavold’s body was found near Devil’s Lake State Park in Sauk County in Wisconsin.
A fourth sailor, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Makaio Bartle, 28, died May 4 in a car crash, according to local reports. Bartle was assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, a Navy official said.
Dlask, 37, of Wisconsin, enlisted on Aug. 17, 2006, following his high school graduation, and came to Recruit Training Command on Oct. 3, 2023. Prior to the command, he was a student at Navy Service Support Advanced Training Command.
Before coming to Great Lakes, he served on USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3), with Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Logistics, Support Unit, Naval Surface Warfare Center Division and Riverine Squadron 2. He also served at the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
He deployed seven times, according to his obituary.
“Dan’s warmth, humor, and kindness will be remembered by all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to inspire and guide his family and friends for years to come. While his presence will be deeply missed, his love remains, woven into the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him,” reads his obituary.
He leaves behind his wife Breanna and their two children, Brooklyn and Crew, according to a GoFundMe set up to help support the family. As of Friday evening, the fund reached 98 percent of its goal.
“Dan’s love for his wife, Breanna, was unparalleled. It was a love that radiated in every glance, every small gesture, every moment they shared. He even joked that he loved Breanna so much he married her twice, as they had two wedding celebrations,” reads his obituary.
Lavold, of Minnesota, enlisted on Dec. 5, 2013, and came to Recruit Training Command on Jan. 20, 2022. He went to Recruit Division Commander School before joining Recruit Training Command.
Lavold previously served on USS Rushmore (LSD-47) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), as well as with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command.
He does not currently have an obituary.
Miller, of Texas, enlisted on March 8, 2017. She initially came to Great Lakes to train as a recruit division commander but switched to instructor duty with Recruit Training Command. Prior to coming to Great Lakes, she served on USS Gladiator (MCM-11) and USS Lassen (DDG-82).
“Reba’s life was a testament to courage, dedication, and love for those around her. Her fierce spirit resonated throughout her military career, where she proudly served as a firefighter,” reads her obituary.
Miller’s “furry soulmate,” as her obituary put it, was her dog Maximus. Miller was studying to become a zoologist, according to her obituary.
“She was Firey, fiercely loving, and a loyal friend to many. Her sharp wit and biting humor could lift spirits and, at times, put a gentle, yet humorous, sting in the air. Reba had a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went and left a mark on the hearts of those fortunate enough to know her,” reads her obituary.
