Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Walters, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducts a rifle swim during the water survival advanced course on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 17, 2021. WSA is the highest swim qualification Marines and sailors can obtain before moving onto the next echelon of becoming a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival. The week-long course kicks off with a water survival pre screening event, and the remainder of the course consists of numerous endurance swims, life-saving techniques and applications, physical and mental conditioning, and countless swimming drills to ensure students have the confidence to not only maintain themselves but others’ lives while in the water. Walters is a native of Upland, California. - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Walters, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducts a rifle swim during the water survival advanced course on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 17, 2021. WSA is the highest swim qualification Marines and sailors can obtain before moving onto the next echelon of becoming a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival. The week-long course kicks off with a water survival pre screening event, and the remainder of the course consists of numerous endurance swims, life-saving techniques and applications, physical and mental conditioning, and countless swimming drills to ensure students have the confidence to not only maintain themselves but others’ lives while in the water. Walters is a native of Upland, California.

News Rollup Default Thumbnail - News Rollup Default Thumbnail

The amphibious tip of the spear - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew Carstensen, (center), instructor with amphibious assault vehicle instructor, Amphibian Crewman Course (AAC), Assault Amphibian School (AAS) Battalion, Training Command, observes Pfc. Watson Bryant, (left), and Pfc. Tristan Campbell, (right), students with AAS Bn., Training Command as they maneuver an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) P7/A1 during ground guidance drills at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 28, 2019. The drills were conducted to evaluate the students on ground guidance procedures and techniques when guiding an AAV. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Bustos)

Sgt. Gerry Pratama, from Anahuac, Texas, climbs up the latter after performing the helocasting practical application Nov. 4 during the scout swimmers course at White Beach Naval Facility. Marines rehearsed the procedures they will be doing on the aircraft on pier beforehand hand to ensure readiness. Pratama is a student of the course with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Sgt. Gerry Pratama, from Anahuac, Texas, climbs up the latter after performing the helocasting practical application Nov. 4 during the scout swimmers course at White Beach Naval Facility. Marines rehearsed the procedures they will be doing on the aircraft on pier beforehand hand to ensure readiness. Pratama is a student of the course with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Marines load into the MV-22B Osprey to prepare to fast rope during the Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques course Aug. 20 at the Central Training Area. The students finalized their practical applications portion by performing rappels out of the aircraft. The Marines are with various units across III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. - Marines load into the MV-22B Osprey to prepare to fast rope during the Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques course Aug. 20 at the Central Training Area. The students finalized their practical applications portion by performing rappels out of the aircraft. The Marines are with various units across III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF.