Dude I helped get in shape for Army Basic Training, died during training this week *Update in OP* - Page 5

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Dude I helped get in shape for Army Basic Training, died during training this week *Update in OP* (Page 5 of 6)

Posted: 6/21/2015 7:38:26 AM EST

[#1]

Sorry for your loss OP. You did an awesome thing helping someone achieve their dream. Sucks it had to end the way it did.

Posted: 6/21/2015 8:13:26 AM EST

[#2]

Very sorry for the loss OP. It's even harder when it's something preventable.

It's been extremely hot and humid lately. Easily 1gal + / 8 hours needed.

Posted: 6/21/2015 8:28:47 AM EST

[#3]

I didn't see it mentioned but it sounds like he was at Air Assault school or maybe preparing for it, ie 12 mile ruck March in under 4hrs.

Posted: 6/21/2015 8:32:26 AM EST

[#4]

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He went out trying, he'd made it.

Please don't blame yourself, he could have died sitting on a couch rather than living his dream.......

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The kid pushed through because he knew could.

Posted: 6/21/2015 8:53:49 AM EST

[#5]

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Before and after. THAT is hard work and dedication.

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Wow, he clearly worked his ass off. It's tragic he went out like that.

Posted: 6/21/2015 9:10:44 AM EST

[#6]

Looks like this has made the media.

Hit the Go Back button if you get the annoying pop-up.

http://www.goerie.com/soldier-from-millcreek-dies-while-serving-at-kentucky-military-base#

Posted: 6/21/2015 9:32:22 AM EST

[#7]

That's heartbreaking. I hope his family is fairing well.

I'm damn proud of him for actually making it in though. It sounds like he worked extremely hard for it.

Posted: 6/21/2015 10:00:38 AM EST

[#8]

RIP infantryman...

Posted: 6/21/2015 10:13:16 AM EST

[#9]

Competent squad leaders and platoon sergeants would have never let this get past heat exhaustion. Heads should roll.

Posted: 6/21/2015 10:25:37 AM EST

[#10]

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Looks like this has made the media.
Hit the Go Back button if you get the annoying pop-up.
http://www.goerie.com/soldier-from-millcreek-dies-while-serving-at-kentucky-military-base#
http://www.goerie.com/storyimage/GE/20150620/NEWS02/306209938/AR/0/AR-306209938.jpg

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Damn shame OP.
Didn't realize until this link he was from Millcreek. That's where I lived before I came in. Probably went through the same recruiting station I did.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:06:33 PM EST

[#11]

I just want to thank everyone for the support and good words. A bunch of you have messaged me and I will be getting back to each of you individually later today or this evening.

Other than the one link from the local new webpage, there really hasn't been any info on this anywhere, which is unfortunate I think. I'm hoping some more places pick it up, so the issue gets some attention and maybe makes a few people realize how cautious they need to be when pushing it during the summer months. I know I workout every day and do HIIT hill sprints, even when it's brutally hot outside, without too much concern for potential health complications.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:14:03 PM EST

[#12]

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:18:32 PM EST

[#13]

They shouldn't take kids like that. And I say that as someone who did many weeks in fatboy camp at Ft. Benning.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:20:07 PM EST

[#14]

As I start to get the wheels rolling on this charity run for Kyle, I'll likely be reaching out to the community for any kind of assistance people are willing to provide, and I don't just mean monetary or product support. As I have not heard back from Striker yet on posting a charity thread for the event, I have to be cautious as to what I post or ask for right now. I hope what I am about to ask is ok and not a violation of the CoC...if it is, please let me know and I will take it down. With that said, we are currently working on two things...

1) We need a great name for the event/run. Something easy to remember, but also kinda cool and something Kyle would be proud of. We are asking for any event name ideas people may have. I am from a finance background so I am clearly not the most creative person when it comes to things like this.

2) We need help with designing a shirt. We are going to be designing and releasing a shirt that will be available for sale prior to the race and then also given to each runner on race day. Originally, we were going to just hold onto them for the race, but if we can start getting them out in the community prior to the event, it will help spread the word and get people interested. The shirt needs to be awesome. Kyle was incredibly proud to be an 11B and to serve the country. We are considering using camo shirts as the base and then going from there. Which camo is the Army currently using? Would it be cool to use a camo shirt or kinda lame? Can we somehow incorporate 11B on it, or is that like using the SEAL Trident without being a SEAL? Army guys, any feedback on what could make this a great shirt would be appreciated.

3) Any advice on getting insurance coverage for an event like this. Insurance will be vital in getting the city to approve the permits and to keep everything on the up and up. It was recommended by a friend locally to contact the Road Runners Club of America, as they are able to sponsor events and provide insurance support. My only concern here is that they will want to come in, take control of the event, and maybe lose focus on what the event is truly about.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:21:10 PM EST

[#15]

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I didn't see it mentioned but it sounds like he was at Air Assault school or maybe preparing for it, ie 12 mile ruck March in under 4hrs.

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Yep. This is going to end a few careers. Peacetime Army is the hardest.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:29:06 PM EST

[#16]

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Yep. This is going to end a few careers. Peacetime Army is the hardest.

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I didn't see it mentioned but it sounds like he was at Air Assault school or maybe preparing for it, ie 12 mile ruck March in under 4hrs.

Yep. This is going to end a few careers. Peacetime Army is the hardest.

This was posted on the previous page by another member...

We got told yesterday that one of the new guys back in the rear died as a result of being a heat cat. I guess this must be him.

Really tragic and he sounds like a great guy. Lot of motivation.

I wasn't told anything official but the grapevine mentioned an air assault ruck. I don't know a whole lot unfortunately being that everyone's busy and focused on redeployment right now. But I can try to pry for details if anyone wants.

Unit's B. Co 2-327 for those who were asking.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:29:59 PM EST

[#17]

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Yep. This is going to end a few careers. Peacetime Army is the hardest.

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I didn't see it mentioned but it sounds like he was at Air Assault school or maybe preparing for it, ie 12 mile ruck March in under 4hrs.

Yep. This is going to end a few careers. Peacetime Army is the hardest.

Even if it ends a few careers in the garrison based .mil we currently have, will it really change the training and culture? Probably not ..., but some cherry officer and some unlucky NCO's will be made an example of. It is an extremely sad story, but I am not sure I would honestly be so quick to blame leadership from a fall out. If they withheld hydration points and encouraged water rationing, then for sure throw them to the wolves. Unless the Army side of the house is a much more touchy feely group, (which I doubt), reporting injuries during training is usually a sure fire way to fuck up your progression through a cycle and get recycled. The mentality is to push through issues and to get done with the task, so that you don't end up washed out or recycled. You can't have trainees willing to admit problems when they will be washed back for admitting there is an issue.

ETA: If they want to end careers, end the careers of the jack asses who get over zealous and the ones who willfully do stupid shit (e.g. the camelbak full of dr pepper).

ETA2: I think we could miss a 4 to 8 hour block of instruction depending on the portion of the course you were in before you were washed back. We had a guy washed back because the headgear in the unit supplied PPE had a bacteria in it that caused him to be rushed to Bethesda for treatment to his eye. He almost lost his eye due to not being forthright about the issue to begin with and going to the clinic on post. If he had been upfront he would have been washed back and held until the next class (~2 to 3 weeks behind) was caught up to where he was in his training cycle.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:35:22 PM EST

[#18]

His leaders may have mistakenly thought that at 25 and likely older than his squad leader that he would be ok without staying right on top of him.

If he died a heat casualty there will be heads that roll.

Posted: 6/21/2015 4:41:12 PM EST

[#19]

BUMP - first and foremost for the fallen Soldier. RIP brother. Also - summer is here and the information here on heat casualties needs to be read by all of us over and over. Watch out for yourself and your family.

Posted: 6/21/2015 4:57:42 PM EST

[#20]

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Back in July/August 1999, while I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, a dude in either 327 or 502 died of a heat injury. He was doing a road march and his Chain of Command was doing the whole forced hydration thing, where they made guys drink X amount of water every so often (every 3 miles of a 12-miler, IIRC), with no leeway given for whether or not the soldier needed it. Most guys will drink water as they're marching. Making them drink X number of canteens per 3 miles, in addition to what they drink on the route, is excessive. The guy basically flushed out all of his electrolytes and when he went down, his core temp was around 106. If I remember correctly, he had been taking some form of weight lifting supplement / protein powder, which the powers-that-be said bore the blame for his death.

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I remember hearing about that. I was at Ft. Hood around that time.

Posted: 6/21/2015 7:29:51 PM EST

[#21]

Posted: 6/21/2015 10:01:19 PM EST

[#22]

RIP, Soldier, and condolences to OP, his other friends and family.

I found this while looking for news articles. Sounds like a hell of a man.

http://bestfitness.net/kyle-swain-testimonial.html

Posted: 6/21/2015 10:05:17 PM EST

[#23]

Condolences to the Soldier's family, may he rest in peace.

He was a man in the arena and worthy of our respect.

Posted: 6/21/2015 11:41:14 PM EST

[#24]

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RIP, Soldier, and condolences to OP, his other friends and family.

I found this while looking for news articles. Sounds like a hell of a man.

http://bestfitness.net/kyle-swain-testimonial.html

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Good find. Kinda surprised to see that though as I know he wasn't super happy with the trainers and bailed on them to work out with a few of us. We are hoping the gym will step up and help us out with our event for Kyle.

Posted: 6/22/2015 8:56:41 AM EST

[#25]

RIP brother.

What a fucking waste. His leadership needs to take a sharp look at their planning and figure this shit out... killing troops in training due to lack of H2o is unacceptable.

On the flip side, I was at NTC one summer and I saw an E4 go down from drinking TOO MUCH water... that unit went the other way and really enforced hydration, he just took it too far.

Who watches for someone drinking too much water?

Too little, though, that's a failure on leadership to have breaks and water stations nearby... this ain't pussification, this is keeping troops alive to fight another day.

Posted: 6/22/2015 9:20:29 AM EST

[#26]

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Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

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Well some people are getting relieved for that.

Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

If you are a grunt then you never say shit about anything. There is a lot of bravado in the Infantry, and we would embrace every shitty situation. And this is precisely why some people will be getting relieved for what happened. They are leaders, and understand that their guys will suck it the fuck up, and put themselves in a bad situation. Its their responsibility to keep an eye on their guys, and make sure that they get taken care of.

Posted: 6/22/2015 9:22:42 AM EST

[#27]

That is lousy and very sad. My condolences.

Posted: 6/22/2015 9:24:02 AM EST

[#28]

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Basic training and OSUT are some of the most rigidly controlled and safest environments out there.

It will still be warm, but the quart an hour and eat to gain nutrients/electrolytes will be pushed. If someone is feeling woozy, I'm sure some ice sheets and a rectal thermometer will come before the jab for the IV.

Tell your boy to avoid having the Army stick anything up his ass. He should drink water, eat good food, and sleep when he can in order to stay healthy.

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Sorry to hear OP

. This thread kinda scares me since my son will be going to Fort Bennings,Georgia in mid July for his basic.

Basic training and OSUT are some of the most rigidly controlled and safest environments out there.

It will still be warm, but the quart an hour and eat to gain nutrients/electrolytes will be pushed. If someone is feeling woozy, I'm sure some ice sheets and a rectal thermometer will come before the jab for the IV.

Tell your boy to avoid having the Army stick anything up his ass. He should drink water, eat good food, and sleep when he can in order to stay healthy.

This is great and direct advice.

Posted: 6/23/2015 7:30:01 AM EST

[#29]

Bump for update in OP

Posted: 6/23/2015 7:56:46 AM EST

[#30]

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Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

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Well some people are getting relieved for that.

Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

If you are killing recruits you are not doing your job.

Posted: 6/23/2015 7:59:58 AM EST

[#31]

Posted: 6/23/2015 8:04:48 AM EST

[#32]

So he wasn't training to be an 11B, but to be a helicopter repairer (15something)? And he died while preparing for AAS? That sucks.

Posted: 6/23/2015 8:05:05 AM EST

[#33]

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Just found out a kid I was helping at the gym over the last 18 months, died of complications from heat stroke this Thursday, while at Fort Campbell. He was super out of shape and overweight when he first started coming to the gym, but worked his ass off to be able to go into the Army as an 11B, which was a huge deal to him. As far as I know the Army hasn't released any info yet, but his step-mom wrote the following:

"I received a panicked call from my husband yesterday at 4:00 in the afternoon telling me that his son, my stepson, who is the Army at Fort Campbell, KY was in the hospital on a ventilator. He suffered from severe heat Stroke. His entire body shut down. His body temp was 109. He is in a medical induced coma. His kidneys have shut down, his liver is damaged, he has a hole in his lung, they can't regulate his blood pressure. They tried to remove the ice bags and his body temp went right back up"

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Poor dude. He worked so fucking hard to get in shape and lost a TON of weight to get there. He was there for hours every night, kept to himself, stayed focused, and put in the hard work. Such a fucking bummer.

Update 6/23

Link to full story here

When Army Pvt. Kyle Swain set out on a six-mile march Thursday, it was part of the work he faced in his goal of working with helicopters.

That might be why he pushed himself so hard.

Swain, 25, passed out during the march. He never regained consciousness and was declared dead at 10 p.m. Thursday in Nashville's TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

Swain had been stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., since January, when he left his home in Millcreek Township for basic training. He went on to qualify for the Air Assault School there.

Lt. Col. Brian DeSantis, a public affairs officer at Fort Campbell, said the medics who attended to Swain believed him to have suffered from a heat-related injury.The military will conduct an investigation into Swain's death.

His family believes heat stroke was the likely cause.

DeSantis said the march on Thursday was part of Swain's training for the air assault school. He was required to complete the march in 90 minutes while carrying more than 35 pounds of equipment.

Swain was less than a half mile from the finish line when he lost consciousness, DeSantis said.

Swain aspired to join the military from a young age. At 4 years old, he became enamored with helicopters after meeting a nurse on a medical helicopter. But until recently, Kyle Swain's weight made him ineligible to enlist in the military.

Swain devoted himself to working out for five years leading up to his enlistment, his family said. Swain's father, Richard Swain, said that Kyle had shed more than 130 pounds by the time he qualified to join the military.

"He learned everything there was to learn about fitness," Richard Swain said.

During that time, Kyle Swain also worked as a volunteer firefighter at the Belle Valley Fire Department, where the department changed its rules to allow him to become a senior firefighter while still a student at McDowell Intermediate High School.

Swain's parents said that his file at the fire department was two inches thick: full of certificates and awards for his service.

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Wow! sorry to hear that? Does anyone know what the temperature was that day at FT Campbell?

When I was at Lackland AFB, they took heat stroke SERIOUSLY! They made everyone that had ever passed out from heat stoke were a red arm band and they ran a red flag up a flag pole when the temperature exceeded 90 F. When they did, no one with a red arm band was allowed to run or do PT or even march in formation IIRC. I was there in August so I missed out on a lot of PT and the Obstacle Course, LOL! The funny thing was that I had come from Florida where it was just as hot AND a lot more humid so San Antonio felt COOL to me!

Posted: 6/23/2015 8:10:26 AM EST

[#34]

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So he wasn't training to be an 11B, but to be a helicopter repairer (15something)? And he died while preparing for AAS? That sucks.

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His Facebook says U.S. Army 11B

Posted: 6/23/2015 8:11:26 AM EST

[#35]

What a tragic loss. Sounds like a helluva kid. Sorry OP.

Posted: 6/23/2015 8:14:54 AM EST

[#36]

Very sad to hear OP and I'm sorry for your loss. Kid seemed like he had a good head on his shoulders from what you posted and the update. RIP soldier.

Posted: 6/23/2015 8:15:25 AM EST

[#37]

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His Facebook says U.S. Army 11B

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So he wasn't training to be an 11B, but to be a helicopter repairer (15something)? And he died while preparing for AAS? That sucks.

His Facebook says U.S. Army 11B

Just reads like the journalist googled "air assault school" and saw it involved helicopters. LOTS of 11Bs go to AAS.

Posted: 6/25/2015 7:07:24 AM EST

[#38]

Kyle Matthew Swain Obituary

Private 2nd Class

Kyle Matthew Swain, 25, of Erie, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2015, following a training incident.

He was born in Erie, on July 5, 1989, a son of Carolyn "Carrie" Raines Swain and Richard Swain, Jr.

Kyle was a 2008 graduate of McDowell High School, where he played football. He had worked as an EMT and Communication Specialist with Emergycare and as a proud volunteer with the Belle Valley Fire Department, before enlisting in the United States Army, where he was a member of the 101st Airborne. He enjoyed fishing, working out and especially spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Richard Swain, Sr..

In addition to his parents, survivors include four sisters, Sandra Kennedy and her husband William of Erie, Deidra Struchen and her husband Keith of Erie, Raina McClelland and her husband Roger of Minnesota, and Jeni Ion of Erie; two brothers, Scott Dunn and Richard Swain III, both of Erie; maternal grandparents, Diane Meyers and James Yates; paternal grandmother, Frieda Swain; stepfather, Michael Ion; stepmother, Valerie Swain; three nieces, Natalia, Chloe and Aubrey; eight nephews, Cameron, Isaiah, Nicholas, Bryce, Aiden, Zakary, Julian and Maxson; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and many dear friends, including Shalan Anderson.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., and are invited to services there on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m., accompanied by full military honors. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75851, Topeka, KS 66675.

Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.

Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits
Published in the Erie Times-News from June 24 to June 25, 2015
- See more at: http://m.legacy.com/obituaries/erietimesnews/obituary.aspx?n=&pid=175145138&referrer=0&preview=True#sthash.C29gUeuN.dpuf

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Posted: 6/25/2015 7:09:49 AM EST

[#39]

Kyle was flown into Pittsburgh this week and all available local police and fire vehicles/members, escorted him from Pittsburgh to Erie

Posted: 6/25/2015 7:20:13 AM EST

[#40]

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Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

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Well some people are getting relieved for that.

Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

I went thru basic in 85 at Benning...Started in Early August when it was hot as the left side of hell... They MADE us drink water until I thought I was gonna puke.... They WATCHED us drink...
This was a failure of the training cadre to correctly monitor the troop.
NCOs did the same thing after I got in the RA while stationed in Panama... They MADE us hydrate.... and had the Medics check all of the troops.

Very Sad....

Posted: 6/25/2015 7:36:06 AM EST

[#41]

Posted: 6/25/2015 7:57:43 AM EST

[#42]

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If you are killing recruits you are not doing your job.

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Quoted:
Well some people are getting relieved for that.

Who would be getting busted for this? If he kept his mouth shut, didn't complain, and pushed through as much as he could, how would they have known?

As I said, I wasn't in the military so I have no idea how these things work.

If you are killing recruits you are not doing your job.

Was not a "recruit" and per the article the event he was participating in was a short individual roadmarch as a workup to a longer individual roadmarch. Yes, safety measures are put in place, but sometimes shit happens.

Posted: 6/25/2015 8:07:12 AM EST

[#43]

Posted: 6/25/2015 8:11:59 AM EST

[#44]

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Before and after. THAT is hard work and dedication.

http://i61.tinypic.com/m8lmvd.png

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That's truly amazing. What a terrible loss.

Posted: 6/25/2015 8:27:12 AM EST

[#45]

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That's truly amazing. What a terrible loss.

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Before and after. THAT is hard work and dedication.

http://i61.tinypic.com/m8lmvd.png

That's truly amazing. What a terrible loss.

He dropped over 130lbs just to join the Army.

Posted: 6/25/2015 8:32:00 AM EST

[#46]

Damn sorry to hear this. Good on you Op for giving a shit about someone enough to help them. Looks like he was a good kid on his way to big things. Tragic loss.

Posted: 6/25/2015 8:32:15 AM EST

[#47]

After reading your update, I think he probably seen the signs of heat exhaustion but decided to press on.

Sad day for everyone involved. The proof is obvious, he worked his ass off to get there.

Posted: 6/25/2015 10:48:16 AM EST

[#48]

Just read the update. Sounds like he would have gone far and done VERY well, especially with his determination.

Posted: 6/25/2015 11:12:19 AM EST

[#49]

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So he wasn't training to be an 11B, but to be a helicopter repairer (15something)? And he died while preparing for AAS? That sucks.

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Air Assault School is where the Army sends soldiers to learn about heliborne operations, to include aircraft identification and capabilities, ground guiding aircraft, slingload operations, rappelling, and FRIES (Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System). It is a 10 day course which includes an obstacle course, a lot of running, and road marching. The culminating exercise is a 12-mile road march, conducted while wearing full battle rattle and a 35-pound rucksack, to be completed within 3 hours. The young soldier who died was apparently doing the shorter, 6-mile, road march which is done during the course as a train-up to the final 12-miler.

Every soldier assigned to the 101st is expected to attend and graduate, although it is often times that less than 90% of a given unit within the division is Air Assault qualified. An Infantryman in the 101st who doesn't graduate AAS is not going to have an enjoyable experience within the division, especially during peacetime. During the peak period of the GWOT, it wasn't uncommon for a soldier to be unable to attend, due to OPTEMPO. I graduated in August 1997. One of our ARFCOM brethren is an Instructor at the Sabulauski Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, though he has been TDY to West Point for the summer, teaching the course to USMA cadets.