Swimming and leadership

2014-01-06T11:22:00-05:00

One of the things that really outraged me in the Marines was that SNCOs and officers could get away with the most basic level of swimming, some even had to have remedial swimming. For members of the Marines, Navy and Coast Guard I would think being a GOOD swimmer would be rather essential. A leader is responsible for their troops and if one of those troops is drowning and they do not have the swimming ability to help that troop, that just really feels unacceptable.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 6 at 2014 12:23 PM

2014-01-06T12:23:24-05:00

Was wondering do the Marines have drown-proofing classes taught yearly like the Army used to do for mandatory training every year?

Response by CPT Mike M. made Jan 6 at 2014 12:34 PM

2014-01-06T12:34:36-05:00

I'd take it a step further and say that people need to be able to swim (moreso in the branches you mentioned) but also go through combat water survival. We've had multiple people drown from not being able to get themselves out of a vehicle that rolls or crashes into a river. I think that with few exceptions, any death that isn't by the hands of the enemy is unacceptable and avoidable.

Response by PO2 Victor Grosso made Jan 6 at 2014 2:24 PM

2014-01-06T14:24:33-05:00

The swimming thing was my LIFE and JOB. I fully agree with you.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jan 8 at 2014 6:23 AM

2014-01-08T06:23:02-05:00

i was kind of bitter about not getting 1st class swimming, the only thing at the time between it and me was the form of my breast stroke, I just couldnt get it where they wanted it.

Response by Maj Jarrod Graham made Mar 26 at 2014 10:42 PM

2014-03-26T22:42:22-04:00

Officers had to qualify to second class or better to graduate TBS. As far as re-qualifying, it is hit or miss, usually it was done when time permitted or when going up for a promotion board.

Response by Sgt Arthur Went made May 18 at 2014 12:51 PM

2014-05-18T12:51:19-04:00

I was a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival (M.C.I.W.S.) I see your point LCPL and its a great point. I can teach the skills for Marines to survive in water but if they have a phobia or fear of water it does effect their ability to become strong swimmers. Unless they can over come their phobia. I used to see this day in day out when I conducted swim qualifications. If you only knew how many I would have to save from drowning...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 8:14 PM

2014-05-19T20:14:37-04:00

As a Civil Affairs Officer, every year - the CA units that I've been in have done drown-proofing. Prior to the actual training, they give a swim test. And I am always placed into the "strong swimmer" category. The hardest thing that I do is walking off of the 10' diving board / or the 10 Meter platform with all of the battle rattle on, while blindfolded.

When I trained in the late 1980's-1990's with the 2nd ACR, we did it at the Schwimmbad in Grafenwoehr, FRG. The had a 10 Meter platform that all of the strong swimmers got to use. After the 3rd time dropping into the pool wearing the 'old style LBE' we were glad to get out.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Apr 8 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-04-08T15:50:21-04:00

As a Leader, you Never ask your subordinates to do something, that you, yourself are not willing to do. I would Expect ALL Leaders in the Navy, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard, to excel in swimming, because of the nature of their Area or Operations.

Response by LCpl Craig D. Pfautz made Jun 8 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-06-08T12:10:03-04:00

ONE THING I WAS VERY PROUD OF IN MARINES WAS MY CLASS 2 SWIM QUALIFICATION.
I DIDNT NEED IT 4 MOTOR T, BUT I GREW UP A LIFEGAURD & ALWAYS IN WATER, IF YOUR OFFICER OR SNCO,UMUST HAVE UPPER ECHELON SWIM TRAINING & SURVIVAL SKILLS, PERIOD!!!