Soldier Dies During PT Test

COLUMBIA, SC --- A 19-year-old Army Soldier stationed at Fort Jackson, SC, collapsed and died of heatstroke while taking the Army Physical Fitness Test last week.

Pvt. Jamal Britt, of Edgewood, MD, was a week away from graduating basic training when he collapsed Oct. 7, the Army said. He was assigned to C Company, 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment. The Richland County Coroner ruled his death as caused by heatstroke on Friday.

Britt collapsed during the two-mile run, the last of three events that make up the Army Physical Fitness Test. Temperatures that day reached 90 degrees, with 50 percent humidity, local paper The State reported.

Troops are required to complete a minimum number of push-ups and sit-ups, then complete the two-mile run. To pass, Britt needed to complete 47 sit-ups and 35 push-ups, and complete the run in no more than 16 minutes, 36 seconds, The State reported.

He is the third Soldier to die in basic training at Fort Jackson since Aug. 20. Of the other two Soldiers, one died from H1N1 virus and the other died from apparent heatstroke.

From Primedia News