Maryland

Marine Enlistee Dies After Strength Test at Maryland Recruiting Station

A newly recruited Marine died in Maryland after taking a strength test, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps confirmed to NBC.

Jose Rodriguez, 18, was participating in the initial strength test Aug. 21 at a recruiting station in Frederick when he had a medical emergency.

A Marine Corps spokesperson said medics went to the station to treat Rodriguez shortly after the test ended. He died two days later at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Rodriguez was a poolee, an enlistee in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program who had not yet reported for training. He was scheduled to report to Parris Island in South Carolina in September, at which point he would have become a recruit.

The Marine Corps is investigating his death.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jose Rodriguez, a young man who was enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program. We respect the Rodriguez family’s right to privacy and their decision whether to release further information regarding the incident," 1st Lt. William Tunney said. "Our Marines send heartfelt condolences to his family and friends while the circumstances surrounding his death are investigated."

The initial strength test is standard for everyone who signs up to be in the Marine Corps.

It consists of a set of maximum pull-ups, a set of maximum crunches in two minutes and a mile-and-a-half run.

CORRECTION: An earlier headline on this story identified the man as a Marine rather than an enlistee and stated he died at the recruiting station.

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