Plebes tested at Sea Trials

Based on intelligence reports, the four Marines huddled behind a barrier yesterday knew there was a clear path to a hostage held by enemy fighters.

Under covering fire, the first two took off and raced to another blockade and prepared to open the way for their comrades.

Things went awry pretty quickly, however, when one of the Marines started getting cramps in both his hamstrings.

Fortunately, this wasn't a rescue mission in Iraq or Afghanistan - it was one of the drills for the Sea Trials, a 14-hour physical and mental endurance test that marks the culmination of a midshipman's freshman, or plebe,...