An acquaintance of mine is dead, presumably by her own hand, according to her Facebook page. That’s admittedly not the most legitimate source of information, but the Army is keeping everything quiet, you see. Kelly Hasselman, 29, was a smart, warm, earnest, hard-working young woman. She played competitive soccer, attended The Citadel and went on to be a very successful Army Captain. In fact, she recently lead the first all-female engagement team (FET) in Afghanistan. She has been dead a week and there is not one word from the Army.  Nothing.

This is the only piece on the Internet. The military asked Cpt. Hasselman to take on a combat role and treated her death as too inconvenient to mention. It’s outrageous.

Cpt. Hasselman once explained to me that she would like to marry and have children, but that her career made the prospect so difficult. Her words are ringing in my ears.

In the link you included from Militarycorruption.com, there is more information. The female unit failed because several soldiers became pregnant and were sent home, others made racy, porno pics for other soldiers. Really, I do not think I could enter military service again, the Hun would have to be coming over the hill and down my street before I signed up. Even then I would probably just find friends and fight it out.

I worked with Kelly back in Korea (2^nd CAB). I also currently work with someone that went to The Citadel with her. We both can’t believe it and both can’t believe the Army, even her hometown newspaper, is keeping it all secret. Why would she do this – PTSP?

Karl D. writes:

Check out who has their fingers (literally) on the nuclear trigger. Women and minorities. This in addition to a recent story that broke about cheating scandals (of which you need to score 100 percent to qualify) involving these very jobs! Cheating on top of affirmative action!! Our military has become a huge joke. To be honest, I find it amazing that China, Russia and Iran haven’t made big military moves as of yet. Although Russia seems to be testing the waters.

April 28, 2014

Mrs. Sams writes:

There will be a memorial service for Cpt. Hasselman at the Citadel tomorrow evening at 6:30. She was stationed in El Paso where there is talk of a memorial service May 7. All of this is via Facebook where her sister, Karen, acknowledges that she passed away on April 19. Many, many people are remembering her through social media, but nobody wants to say exactly what happened. And I suppose the family may prefer that. But it’s uncanny that no news outlet has word of this. Not even the local papers in Broken Arrow, OK or El Paso, TX. The only thing I can imagine is that her death is inconvenient and embarrassing for some Very Important People.

Don B. writes:

Sarah S. mentions, “combat role and treated her death as too inconvenient to mention. It’s outrageous.” I would like to say its not outrageous, the Army takes in consideration of her family and there is always a investigation into the death of a service member. There are steps and protocol the Army must take in situations such as these. I have read the military corruption news story and find their news coverage disrespectful towards the deceased. If Sarah S. has any respect for her friend, then she should let the Army do their job and let the family grieve.

Laura writes:

It is very sad for her family, but the public has a legitimate interest in this story. Sarah S. has not been disrespectful in noting the possible significance of her death.

Cpt. Hasselman was in a position that was important enough for the Army to publicize. The Army disseminated news about her role as head of a female engagement team and The Citadel positively bragged about her career. Her death is not a private matter only. The press should be seeking information about her and, even if the cause of death is unknown, it is still newsworthy. Whether the Army is withholding information, we do not know. However, it appears there has been no official announcement at all.

It is shocking that the news outlets that covered her story have not reported her death.

Lucy writes:

Thank you so much for posting information on Kelly. I am frankly disturbed no additional information is available from the military.

We deployed together in Afghanistan in 2009-2010.  I am stunned to learn she is no longer with us regardless of the situation. She was such a solid officer and always had a smile on her face.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I can’t imagine what they are going through and I wish that someone would post her obituary soon so we can leave our thoughts of how great of an individual Kelly was, how much she will be missed, and what she meant to so many.  There are so many questions and no answers…

Mrs. Sams writes:

My husband and I were incredulous that we could find nothing at all for five days. And even now there is nothing official. As you suggest, the details may be withheld, but one would at least expect Kelly’s name and date of death in an obituary. My sincere condolences are with the Hasselman family, nevertheless the Army should be subject to admitting the reality of her passing and be extremely concerned about why this is happening in today’s military.

Alex writes:

To Don B: You suggest to let the Army do its job and follow protocol. Okay, fair enough. How about Pat Tillman? Jessica Lynch? The only reason they are taking this long to release the cause of death is that it is somewhat awkward and compromising. Having served in Vietnam during the Jurassic Period I suggest the U.S. Military is today a giant social club, filled with people who are let in for diversity reasons and God help them if they actually have to fight against a real Army, not Taliban, Iraqis, Serbians from 30,000 feet.

[For further discussion, see here.]

May 1, 2014

Sarah Smith writes:

I am a friend of Kelly Hasselman and whoever this “Sarah S.” person is, is causing concern among my friends and the friends that I share with Kelly because they believe this is my atrocious writing, when in fact it is not. Please either remove the initials, remove the comments, remove the blog, or change the names so that no hurt is caused by her words. Kelly was a beautiful person and I will not have it recorded that I am personally saying insensitive things about her passing when it is not me. If you have any respect for this young woman, her family, and her friends you will correct this issue immediately.

 Laura writes:

Sarah S. expressed concern and respect for her acquaintance and she wrote nothing “atrocious” or “insensitive.” Your charge that she did is frankly outrageous. She said:

Kelly Hasselman was a smart, warm, earnest, hard-working young woman.

She did not take pleasure in this sad news and was rightfully amazed that there was no public word about Kelly’s death. I will not remove what she has written. I have posted your comment so that she is not confused with you.

[Update: Sarah S. actually never asked to use her initial instead of her real name. I chose to do that to protect her privacy. I have now revised the post to use her full name, with her permission.]