BALTIMORE — One still has burn scars on his palms, earned during hours of push-ups on burning hot pavement.

One said he was attacked, beaten with a homemade blackjack while he slept.

One said he developed post-traumatic stress disorder.

These teens who enrolled at the Maryland National Guard Freestate ChalleNGe Academy in previous years have a lot to say about their experience as cadets in the program — not much of it good.

A boot camp for at-risk youth, the program promises teens and their families a strict structure, housing and food for 22 weeks, along with the opportunity to study and take the GED — a potentially life-changing offer for many of these youth.

But three cadets interviewed by The Baltimore Sun say they were forced to exercise without water breaks until they passed out

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