I recently read an article about a Maine Marine recruit who died at the base in Beaufort, S.C., during an initial exam. (Sept. 11) The exam included completing a mile-and-a-half run, 40 crunches and two pull-ups in 13 minutes or less. During the exam, 18-year-old Adam Aube of Brunswick, Maine, suffered a medical problem and died shortly after. The officials say he was checked out beforehand and that there was nothing wrong with him.

The doctors who checked Aube out apparently didn’t check well enough. I think that the recruits should be checked and then double-checked before going to boot camp. I have gone to Beaufort for vacation for seven years now and every time I go, it is extremely hot.

I think having only 13 minutes to do a mile-and-a-half-run, 40 crunches and two pull-ups in 90-degree weather is pushing the limit. I think that the recruits should have longer to do it and have some breaks to rehydrate.

I believe that the recruits are started off with too much, and that they should be given time to work up to the expectations of the exam. Besides, what is the point of training recruits if they die before they can serve our country?

Will Aronson