As of April 15, the swim qualification requirements have been modified to better prepare Marines for aquatic combat situations.
According to Marine Administrative Message 212/11, the Marine Corps Water Survival Training Program will implement changes outlined in MARADMIN 653/10 published in November 2010.
The Marine Corps Water Survival Training Program, or MCWSTP, now consists of three levels. Marines will now qualify as either basic, intermediate, or advanced swimmers.
However, there are still Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival and Marine Corps Instructor Trainer of Water Survival.
“The new swim qual has been modified to the modern day Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Brian L. Fisher, MCRD pool operations chief.
The full camouflage uniform, including boots, is now required for every level of swim qualification.
“When they revamped the new swim qual, they really took into consideration the combat side of being a Marine,” said Fisher.
“For example, why would you have a swim qual where you don’t have boots on, because when it comes down to it, if you’re in a humvee and it flips over your going to have boots on,” he added.
The MCWSTP employs water survival skills of increasing levels of ability. It is designed to reduce fear, raise self-confidence, and develop Marines with the ability to survive in water.
Bergeron expressed that weak swimmers could get by before, but now that boots are required it can create a mental barrier. Bergeron hopes this new program puts more emphasis on water qualifications.
“If you know you’re not a strong swimmer you should be attacking the pool on your off time, just like for a physical fitness test,” said Bergeron.
For Marines who need to fulfill annual training requirements, MCRD swim instructors hold water survival qualifications every Friday at 7:30 a.m.
Marines who are current with their swim qualification are good until it expires.