The U.S. Coast Guard said it is investigating the death of a recruit that occurred after he collapsed following an initial physical fitness assessment on July 1 at Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, N.J.
The 21-year-old Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd from Stafford, Va. collapsed after completing the 1.5 mile run portion of his initial physical fitness assessment. Coast Guard medical personnel, who were already on-scene as part of the training center’s safety protocol, immediately rendered first aid before transporting him to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House, N.J. There, Redd received medical attention up until he died, July 6. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Recruits of all the U.S. armed forces undergo medical evaluations at a Military Entrance Processing Station prior to enlistment, and Seaman Recruit Redd also received additional medical screenings once he arrived in Cape May in accordance with regulations, the Coast Guard said.
The purpose of the initial physical fitness assessment is to determine a recruit’s ability to safely endure the rigors of basic training. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May uses those assessments to set benchmarks that enable recruits to improve their fitness levels during training while also reducing risk of injury.
Redd enlisted in the Coast Guard June 28, 2016 and was a member of Recruit Company Delta-193.
“Seaman Recruit Redd was only a member of the Coast Guard family for a few days, but we are deeply saddened by his tragic loss. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” said Capt. Owen Gibbons, commanding officer of Training Center Cape May.