Posted on 11/01/2023 6:04:42 AM PDT by Red Badger
The United States top officer and commandant, General Eric Smith, was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack on Sunday evening while out jogging.
Two defense officials confirmed the incident to USNI News.
General Smith was seen on Sunday greeting runners at the finish line of the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, VA before the reported heart attack.
Noah Gray, chief of communications for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, said:
“Witnesses said that they saw an adult male running, then walk down the street and stumble, falling face-first on the sidewalk.”
“At that time, they called 911 and started chest compressions. Our crews arrived and provided CPR and transported the patient to a nearby hospital,” Gray said.
The US Marines Corps said Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, a three-star general, is performing the duties of the commandant.
Yahoo News reported:
Heckl is the deputy commandant for combat development and integration. There is no Senate-confirmed assistant commandant in place.
Smith was confirmed by the Senate on Sept. 21 and was sworn into office the following day. On Friday, Smith told reporters he was working two jobs as Marine commandant and assistant commandant of the service, as his Number 2 officer, Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, had not been confirmed.
Hundreds of general and flag officer nominations are stalled in the Senate over Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s hold on unanimous consent as he protests Pentagon policy that reimburses service members for out-of-state travel for reproductive healthcare, including abortions.
Smith commented on the situation Friday at a Military Reporters and Editors event.
“I am still doing both of those jobs and using my staff as best I can to fill in where the assistant commandant would normally be full-time, because I simply can’t be in two places at once.”
The Daily Mail reported: Smith, a career infantry officer, has commanded at every level, serving multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, including time in Fallujah and Ramadi during heavy combat in 2004 and 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He later was the senior military adviser to Defense Secretary Ash Carter and in 2019, took over as the deputy commandant for combat development.
In that post, Smith worked with his predecessor, General David Berger, on a broad campaign to transform the Marine Corps to better be able to fight amphibious wars in the Pacific after years of battling terrorist groups in the Middle East.
The plan was lauded by many in the Pentagon and Congress as a critical way for the Marines to prepare for a potential conflict with China.
Smith and Berger argued that the changes would improve the Marine Corps’ ability to fight in contested areas, particularly within striking range of an enemy.
That element is critical in the Indo-Pacific, where thousands of U.S. and allied forces are easily within missile — or even rocket — range of both China and North Korea.
But some of the moves, including the transfer of Marine tanks to the Army, triggered sharp criticism from a group of retired Marine generals.
During a speech at a naval conference in February, Smith defended the decision as critical to modern warfare against highly capable enemies.
If Jim Fixx had died in today's world (where POTATO-POTUS is fit for duty!), people would have good reason to be suspicious of the reported cause of death.
In any case, I was reminded of the CIA:
"Are you interested in joining? I'll tell ya, the benefits are fantastic. The trick is not to get killed. That's really the key to the benefit program."
He was jabbed. Probably a few times.
The right shoes (eg Hoka Bondi ) and right technique which a majority of joggers don’t follow will minimize impact damage to joints. This is especially important for older adults who take to jogging.
Or vice-versa.
At least in this case we don't have to speculate if he was vaxxed. Since it was mandated for all Military, we know he was!
Yes, he likely is vaccinated. I think some had exemptions.
Either way it’s irrelevant. There’s no proof either way.
I will continue having zero flu and Covid shots for life.
Per my analysis, why risk cost for no proven benefit?
Sting and The Police need to write a sequel to Roxanne . . . Vax-Anne
They finally let me go days later when an angiogram showed I had the arteries of a 20 year old!
It turned out to be an esophageal spasm...
...which also explained why the symptoms went away when they gave me nitroglycerine!
I wound up with a quad by-pass, and a big scar in the middle of my chest!............................
Glad you’re both not dead…
👍😎....................
As noted by others, jogging is a religion to some people, just like true believers in global warming.
Have fun. The fact and the mechanics of human joint design not being designed for long distance jogging are facts.
An no, before you get angry and say I don’t like jogging because I am fat, I am about 11% body fat, according to the water dip I did six moths ago. I more than capable of finishing a marathon. I just know better.
Then it's a good thing I've lost 80 lbs...
Yep! Had blood work and an MRI last week!...........I’m good to go for another year!...........
Then you know the Marines are a department of the Navy.
The Mens' Department...
But some of the moves, including the transfer of Marine tanks to the Army, triggered sharp criticism from a group of retired Marine generals.
Ah, rice bowls. They never quit.
Colonel, USAF JAGC (Ret)
The fully jabbed, especially.
Even the very young :-(
I am trying to recall the Running author who died of a heart attack. Skinny as a rail.
Jim Fixx....................
I'm right with you there.
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