MCRD San Diego -- After a quick 25 meter swim assessment, recruits of Co. I, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, were classified as either strong or weak swimmers. Strong swimmers proceeded to advanced swim training and the others received assistance on becoming a better swimmer before proceeding.
Recruits of Co. I received training on water survival techniques during recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 22.
Marine roots run deep with amphibious operations and as so, it is not only vital but required that all Marines know basic water survival techniques.
As recruits paddle their way through the water in full camouflage utilities. Marine swimming instructors kept a vigorous watch making sure any recruit struggling in water received assistance.
“Being that we’re Marines, it’s important for us to be amphibious,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew C. Curtis, drill instructor, Co. I. “Typically we deploy by ship.”
Curtis also explained it’s one thing to know how to swim and another to know how to swim in camouflage utilities and a pack.
Recruits were taught how to use their utilities as flotation devices and how to stay afloat by filling their chests with air and taking in quick breaths. After the lesson recruits had to stay afloat using one of their methods for four minutes in order to pass.
“The strength requirement is about a five on a one to ten, on how much more strength you need to swim with cloths on,” said Recruit Danny R. Merriman, Platoon 3213, Co. I, who has been swimming since four years old.
Merriman understood not all recruits were comfortable in the water and said he would do his best to help his fellow recruits in any way possible.
“Many of them are scared to get in the water because they haven’t had much swimming training. For some this is their first opportunity to get into the water,” said Merriman. “The biggest technique is to relax.”
According to Sgt. Michael C. Birch, senior drill instructor, Plt. 3215, Co. I, the recruits learn three survival strokes, the sidestroke, breaststroke and the elementary backstroke.
“They learn survival strokes so that if they get caught in open water they could go a long distance without tiring,” said Birch who is Marine Combat Instructor Water Survival trained.
Although the recruits did not learn enough to become swimming instructors, they indeed learned techniques that could potentially save their lives.
Birch made sure to stress the importance of water survival training.
“This is a graduation requirement. Being a Marine and not being able to swim is ineffective,” said Birch.