Following the incident, we found that the soldier had been drinking large quanties of Red Bull. Apparetnly, he’d consumed at least 3 of the large cans the night before our training and at least one report stated that he’d been up for about 36 hours and was using the drink to keep going without our knowledge. Following the march, he purchased 2-3 more cans of Red Bull and was found in his girlfriend’s driveway unconcious and convulsent. He’s 24 years old, was in great shape, and no known medical history.

While I can’t say for certain what caused this, the fact that he combined strenuous physical activity with significant consumption of the drink certainly seems to be a factor.

All I know is that yesterday I had to sit with a grieving mother and try to explain the process of death benefits and gratuity in the likely event he does not recover.