SAN DIEGO -- Recruits of different ages, experience levels and walks of life, arrive at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego with one thing in common; a dream to become a United States Marine.
While they have one common desire, not all recruits come to recruit training knowing how to swim. It is the mission of the water survival instructors of Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, to mold the recruits into amphibious Marines.
The recruits of Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, were tested on water survival techniques during swim qualification aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 8.
“Companies come to the swim tank during Week 4 to get their water survival certification,” said Staff Sgt. Patrick Sheedy, Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival, ITC, Support Bn. “In order to receive a certification they must pass the basic swim qualification requirements.”
Recruits are tested in five different events. The first event is a 25-meter swim in the shallow end of the pool wearing combat utilities and boots.
Upon completion, they move on to the second event where they jump off a ten-foot tower into the deep end of the pool and swim 25 meters. For the third event, they must tread water for four minutes.
During the fourth event, recruits jump into the shallow end wearing a flak jacket, Kevlar helmet, and a simulated rifle. They then have ten seconds to shed the gear while submerged underwater. The final event consists of a
25-meter swim with a pack in the deep end of the pool.
"Marines are known for being amphibious," said Sheedy. "It's our identity and just as every Marine is a rifleman, every Marine needs to know how to swim."
If the recruits successfully complete every event, they pass their swim qualification and continue on with training. However, those who fail an event return the next day for remediation and a chance to qualify again.
"While our attrition rate is low there is always a handful that struggle," said Sheedy. "Instructors work with the troubled swimmers individually to help build them up to where they can complete the basic swimming fundamentals."
During recruit training, recruits only qualify at the basic level. However, after graduating and arriving at their first duty station, they have the opportunity to advance in levels.
"I never did any serious swimming before recruit training," said Recruit Kendrick Conner, Platoon 1002, Co. A, 1st RTBn. "I was nervous coming into the event because I had never prepared for something like this but I realize it's an important part of being a Marine."
Conner was not the only recruit who had never swam before recruit training and instead of feeling discouraged they helped each other.
"We kept positive attitudes," said Connor. "We reminded each other to stay relaxed, keep our head in the game and we also encouraged each other when we did well."
Although he struggled a bit through the qualification, Connor was relieved to have passed and is looking forward to continuing his training.
"There's no way I'm going to give up now," said Connor. "I'm going to keep reminding myself how far I've come and how far I want to go. I'm going to keep pushing and nothing is going to stop me."