Death during physical test at Scott AFB stemmed from medical condition

The death of Air Force Tech Sgt. Nicholas T. Kruse-Wright during a 1.5-mile physical assessment run on Oct. 29 was the result of a pre-existing medical condition, according to a ground accident investigation report released by the Air Mobility Command.

Kruse-Wright, assigned to the 375th Force Support Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, was running his final lap when he collapsed and complained of his legs hurting. He was then transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville and died three days later.

“The 375th Air Mobility Wing lost a valued member of our Air Force family, and we are deeply saddened. Tech. Sgt. Kruse-Wright is missed by the entire wing and all who had the opportunity to serve with him,” said Col.Laura L. Lenderman, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

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The military draft may be headed for the scrap heap.

The House Armed Services Committee will include instructions to examine the Selective Service program's viability and possible “alternatives” as part of its review of the annual defense authorization bill next week, staffers confirmed on Friday, according to Military Times.

The move comes following months of hand-wringing over whether women will be forced to register for the draft as part of the military's plans to open combat jobs to all troops regardless of gender.

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers — several of whom sit on the committee — has already offered legislation to abolish the Selective Service System, calling it an outdated vestige of military history, according to Military Times.

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Air Force Times is reporting that House lawmakers want more troops in the ranks but fewer four-stars to lead them.

The proposal is part of sweeping personnel reforms included in the House Armed Services Committee draft of the annual defense authorization bill, unveiled Monday. It’s also a rebuke of what some congressional leaders see as “top-heavy command headquarters” with more support staff than they need.

To solve that, the bill includes a requirement to dump at least five of the 38 four-star posts across the armed services in coming years — the Coast Guard commandant would not be included in the list — and ensure that subordinate commanders within combatant commands serve at a grade no higher than three stars.

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New legislation set to be introduced Tuesday would require the Pentagon to create a database tracking incidents of hazing in the military, carry out an annual survey of U.S. troops on the issue and boost training so it is better recognized and handled, according to the Washington Post.

The bill is called the Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act, said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., who crafted the legislation and named it after her nephew. He was a Marine who committed suicide in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in April 2011 after he fell asleep while on guard duty and was subsequently assaulted by other members of his platoon.

“Hazing has no place in our military, and it has a negative impact on military retention and the longterm health of military service members and veterans,” Chu said. “It certainly doesn’t create a bond within a unit. But, what is most alarming is that, for the most part, there has been no justice for the victims.”

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Death during physical test at Scott AFB stemmed from medical condition."