news Two military recruits hospitalized after being pushed at fitness training

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Two Canadian Army recruits have been hospitalized amid allegations that they received physical training far in excess of what was considered necessary.

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Veterans told the newspaper that the recruits were admitted during the first week of basic military training at a Canadian military base in Gagetown, New Jersey.

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Military officials said the two were being treated for dehydration and rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis is considered a serious medical condition and is caused by direct or indirect muscle damage. One of the causes of rhabdomyolysis is excessive exercise.

Canadian Army spokesperson Maj. Sandra Levesque confirmed that two recruits have been hospitalized. Neither the soldier’s name nor his medical condition have been released.

“The Infantry School has launched a unit-level investigation,” Levesque confirmed.

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The investigation will give the military a better understanding of the events that led to the soldier’s hospitalization.

“At the moment, we are limited in the level of information that can be shared for investigations,” added Lévesque.

The US military has expressed concern about rhabdomyolysis. In 2021, the U.S. military has his 513 cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis. The majority were men under the age of 20.

In a 2010 study, the US military pointed out that rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle cells that releases proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream. Without treatment, it can be fatal, causing kidney failure, heart attack, or stroke, studies point out.

In 2018, another U.S. study noted an increase in cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis among U.S. military personnel and high school and college athletes. An individual’s fitness level, a sudden increase in exercise intensity, or certain types of exercise can put a person at risk, added the study published in the Journal of Military Medicine.

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In 2000, a Royal Military Academy first-year cadet hospitalized for kidney failure ended his career in the Canadian Armed Forces with rhabdomyolysis and severe swelling of his leg muscles.

The cadet’s family alleged that instructors at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School abused their authority and pushed soldiers and other recruits over the edge.

However, a Canadian military commission of inquiry accused the soldier of injuring him, claiming he pushed himself too far.

A subsequent investigation by the Office of the Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman determined that the commission had not obtained expert medical evidence and had misunderstood the medical information it received.

The Ombudsman’s Office also recommended that the Canadian Forces develop a formal system for tracking and reporting on the assessment of training programs in place.

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The cadet was kicked out of the Canadian Armed Forces due to lifelong medical complications as a result of the incident.

The Canadian Armed Forces are currently dealing with a recruitment crisis as young Canadians are not interested in joining the ranks. admits that it is taking a toll on conscription.

One recommendation given to senior executives is to move recruits through the system more quickly. His BMQ (Basic Military Training Program) for future non-commissioned officers should be reduced from 10 weeks to 8 weeks, it is recommended.

In addition, the Canadian military is facing its highest attrition rate in 15 years, and according to a briefing prepared for General Wayne Eyre and other senior leaders of the Department of Defense, it will take more will take 10 years or more.

The briefing was leaked to this newspaper in October.

A lack of housing for military families and an unsuccessful increase in the cost of living also contributes to serving servicemen who leave the military.