Navy Recruit Dies During Physical Fitness Exam At Great Lakes

GREAT LAKES, IL — An 18-year-old Navy recruit from Alabama died last week at Lake Forest Hospital after collapsing during training at Navy Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, according to officials and her family. It was the second such death under similar circumstances in just over two months.

Seaman Recruit Kelsey Nobles, of Mobile, died Tuesday after she went into cardiac arrest following a physical fitness test, according to her father, Harold Nobles. He told WKRG-TV the recruit could best be described as "the sweetest soul," remembering her as full of energy and willing to give away her last dollar to help someone. He said the family is focused on bringing Nobles' body home and grieving at the moment.

A spokesperson for the command said the cause of the death is being investigated, according to the Navy Times, which first reported Nobles' death Thursday.

But with the second death of a recruit during physical training since February, Nobles said there were unanswered questions about the situation.

"For me, I'm just like what's wrong?" Nobles asked. "These young people are so excited about serving their country and going into the military. Are they doing enough to check them? Does physical testing need to be more in-depth?"

Baker High School, where Nobles graduated last year, released a statement following her death. It described her as an "organized student who was always delightfully mature" and said she earned an advanced diploma with honors and numerous offers of college scholarships.

"She led a life of influence and impact for others," Pastor Alan Floyd of Cottage Hill Baptist Church told WKRG-TV ahead of a May 6 memorial service. "We can’t do much for Kelsey but we can celebrate her life, honor God and seek to bring comfort to the family."

On Feb. 22, Kierra Evans, a 20-year-old Louisiana native who had been due to graduate training the following week, collapsed during a psychical fitness assessment. The cause and manner of her death remain under investigation by the Lake County Coroner's Office.

The spokesperson for the training command said more than 30,000 recruits graduated training at Great Lakes last year. Prior to Evans' death, the last recruit to die during training was more than four years ago.

Earlier:

• Navy Recruit Dies After Collapsing During Fitness Test
• Commander Fired After Recruit Dies At Great Lakes Naval Station