Marine Recruit Survives Medical Mystery

Marine Recruit Survives Medical Mystery
DVIDS
by Lance Cpl. David Bessey
Aug 02, 2013

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – After overcoming a medical mystery that prevented him from accomplishing his dream, one Marine achieved his goal and finally graduated recruit training Aug. 2, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C.

Pvt. Aaron Sitka, a 20-year-old from Houston, Pa., has wanted to serve his country ever since he was a child. At first, Sitka didn’t know what branch he wanted to join until a friend of his told him about the Marine Corps.

When Sitka spoke to a Marine Corps recruiter, Sitka knew by the end of the conversation that the Marine Corps was exactly what he wanted for his future, even though he was barely halfway through high school.

“[The recruiter] was just so much more put together and more professional,” said Sitka.

Sitka first enlisted in the Marine Corps three years ago and was shipped to Parris Island for recruit training two days after graduating from Chartiers-Houston High School in 2011.

He reported for training with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and was assigned to Platoon 3065.

Training was going well for him until the company began basic water survival training, said Sitka.

Several recruits were already sick, and Sitka soon became ill. Over several days, his condition progressively worsened. He developed a cough that became so severe it made him cough blood. Sitka was unable to keep food down due to the cough.

Sitka said he refused to get himself checked by a doctor, because he feared the idea of being held back in training.
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