Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Every recruit has his own story and reason for joining the Marine Corps, and for some, that reason is to receive the unique swim training given in recruit training.
Recruits of Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conducted swim qualification at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 19, moving one recruit closer to conquering his fear of the water.
During the qualification, recruits are taught two floating techniques, four swimming strokes, how to remove their combat gear in water and how to properly conduct an abandon ship jump from the three-meter board.
Recruit Shawn E. Dukes, Platoon 2223, had the desire to learn these techniques after a near death swimming experience.
“A big wave overturned my inner-tube in the deep end, and I went straight down,” said Dukes. “I couldn’t think straight, and could only see the light above me. Even though I was struggling to get back up, I still passed out.”
After being pulled out of the water, Duke required cardiopulmonary resuscitation to restart his breathing.
Oddly enough, Duke explained that swimming didn’t become a fear, but rather an obstacle he wanted to defeat and a skill he wanted to hone in recruit training.
Duke felt the pressure of the pool since swim qualification is a graduation requirement, as well as an annual training event for all Marines.
After failing his first portion of the qualification, Duke was placed with other recruits who required remediation of basic swimming fundamentals. Despite the setback, Duke explained he was neither worried nor scared he would fail.
“Weakness isn’t a characteristic, it’s an attribute. You’re only weak if you don’t try,” said the Gary, Indiana native. “Going through Marine Corps training is a once in a lifetime experience. I don’t want to look back and say I could have done better if I wasn’t scared.”
Other recruits had similar reasons for pushing themselves through the vigorous training exercise.
Recruit Pablo E. Lara, Platoon 3223, was also placed in remediation, but explained he wanted to pass the training because it would give him the tools to possibly save a life.
When Lara was nine years old, he nearly drowned in a pool and saved his sister from drowning when he was 13.
He explained the experience at nine years old caused him to hesitate when it came time to react and rescue his sister. Since then, he has always desired to become a better swimmer.
“I knew I wasn’t a good swimmer, and for a second I froze,” said Lara. “But then I realized how much she was struggling, and I jumped in and saved her.”
Lara said he believes the swimming techniques learned in recruit training would give him the confidence and ability to save a family member or Marine in the future.
“No one in my family can swim, and I want to show them we can do better, that anything is possible,” said Lara. “That’s why I’m not going to quit on the swimming.”