San Diego -- Throughout history, Marines have been sent to combat in several types of environments. Wherever the location may be – aquatic, mountainous or desert– Marines are prepared through various training events in order to survival for mission accomplishment.
Recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, went through water survival basic at the swim tank aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego June 4.
“We have an amphibious background; it’s important for us to know how to survive in those conditions,” said Sgt. Phillip Haly, senior drill instructor, Platoon 1031, Co. B, 1st RTBn. “I also believe (swim qualification) pushes recruits mentally because it is forcing them to do something that they are not used to doing.”
In an Olympic-sized pool, recruits are required to complete the course of qualification, which includes a 25-meter swim in both the shallow and deep water, four minutes of treading water, utilizing a waterproof pack to swim 25 meters and perform a 10-second gear strip while submerged. All of this is done while wearing a full combat utility uniform and a pair of combat boots.
“A majority of recruits aren’t used to swimming in full cammies or wearing a full combat load; it’s a whole different story,” said Haly. “I think every (recruit) is afraid, because they’re afraid of the unknown.”
The added weight of the boots and uniform is an unfamiliar feeling for recruits, causing them to struggle while moving in the water.
“Getting used to the weight of uniforms and boots was probably the hardest part,” said Recruit Christopher Tran, Plt. 1033, Co. B, 1st RTBn. “You don’t really know what to expect if you’ve never done it before.”
Tran, a 19-year-old Buffalo Grove, Ill., native, explained that what seemed like the easiest part of swim qualification was actually the hardest for him.
“Swimming the first 25 meters across the pool was the most difficult for me,” said Tran. “You’re not used to the cammies and you’ll walk up to the edge of the pool thinking you’ve got it until you jump in.”
Like most training events in recruit training, swim qualification is a graduation requirement. Although there is remediation for recruits who don’t pass the first day, if they fail to qualify during this time, it may result in being held back in training.
“That adds fear to the whole event; the stress of not knowing what to expect from swim qualification and knowing that they need to complete (swim qualification) to move on in training can be stressful,” said Haly. “I tell my recruits to stay focused, engage what the instructors are telling them and to be confident.”
An important aspect of recruit training is the confidence built throughout the training cycle. With each event, recruits push themselves physically while growing mentally stronger.
“It’s all mental; if they can complete the initial combat fitness test then there is no way they can’t push themselves physically through this,” said Haly.
Recruits of Co. B walked away from water survival basic knowing what their bodies and minds are capable of. They’ll continue their journey to earn the title “Marine” at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., for basic marksmanship training and rifle qualification.