Marines Swim to Survive

Marines are amphibious by nature, and at the Marine Corps Water Survival School, they are taught how to master the water, instead of being taken by it. Pfc. John Tucker takes us to Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where Marines attend the rigorous three-week course to become Instructors of Water Survival.

For a multimedia highlighting the course through one student's eyes, visit:

For a photo walkthrough of the course visit:

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Production: Pfc. John Tucker
Video: Pfc. John Tucker and Staff Sgt. Mark Fayloga
Photography: Cpl. Daniel Wetzel and Staff Sgt. Mark Fayloga

[langtangwang]

50 degree teperatures
me during swim class when ice is forming at the corners of the pool but my coach says its 80

[marines]

Yes. Both Parris Island and Recruit Depot San Diego have a staff of Marine Corps Instructors of Water Survival to teach recruits who don't know how to swim the fundamentals of water survival.

Semper Fi,

Pfc. T

[Jammbz]

Either way there are instructors poolside in case something goes wrong. If you tell them you don't know how to swim or you're not a strong swimmer they might pay more attention to you. If you're skeptical of your skills then you should get into the pool before going to bootcamp just in case.

[huntag]

I went into the final drill for the top combat swim qualification (1) absolutely exhausted. When I submerged my instructor bear hugged me from behind so tightly I could hardly hold my breathe, let alone go through the motions. I ended up tapping out but he didn't let me go. I tapped out again...harder. I panicked. What I thought was going to be a drill, instead, in my mind, turned out to be a real life or death situation. I remember fading out and then hearing a loud "crack"! inside my head- like a firecracker- and that was it. I was out. Unconscious. The next thing I remember; I'm on my back on the deck of the pool. My swim instructors and senior drill instructor were looking down at me laughing. One of them said, "congratulations. you passed". Of the 500 or so recruits with Lima company at that time, only two of us had qualified at that level. I graduated as "guide" in May of 1999. I had a perfect PFT (300) and Expert rifle qualification on the range. My first year in the USMC was all training. Long before I even had a chance to really get started in the USMC, my life had changed forever. It was a truly transformative and even spiritual experience. It was powerful, to say the least.

[BT_Spanky]

This week was the hardest for me when I was at MCRD San Diego. Because of my particular upbringing(poor inner city), I had little to no experience swimming before going to boot camp. The most I could do was a simple dog paddle and the back stroke. Not being politically correct me along with majority dark green recruits struggled with swim week because most of us came from similar backgrounds. Knowing what I know now, I’d heavily advise recruiters if they haven’t already done so to introduce delayed entry program poolees to their nearest pool to help those potential recruits learn the basics well before they arrive at one of the two MCRDs.

[williambrandt]

Thats probably the hardest course at that base :D
Ole Camp Johnson

[warshipsdd-]

Did rescue diver training years after I left the active duty Marine Corps, even without the added service requirements it was the most challenging class I've taken.

[rtydhtr]

Damn, here’s me who barely passed swim qual

[ryudragonpunch]

Did the Combat Water Safety Swimmer course back in 2002 that was a kick in the balls I can only imagine having to do MCIWS.

[ravencove]

I did this I was one of the first women that went Squadron Recon VFMA 211 Wake Island Avengers. We had to be able to float for 6 hours... I can do eight like nothing, even napped a bit. If you were likely to do carrier duty it was required. Some of us flight captains get blown over the side and they have to loop back. Unfortunately it is not like turning your bass boat around. Not always easy to figure what way ya blew over too.

[jpturner]

Brings back memories (good and bad) from boot camp then reconnaissance training!

Semper Fi brothers swimming may save your butts one day!👍🏽

Semper Fi 🇺🇸

[JeanineMAGA]

God Bless the USMC, thank you very much.

[Mayle]

My biggest fear is drowning and I really want to be a Marine. I can't swim at all.

[knivesinmediaog]

The Marines taught me how to swim, and I have confidence while in the water I never would have otherwise. I almost feel obligated to become a a janitor 😂

[IAreSpitfire]

Being a department of the Navy, you'd think the training for this would provide better techniques in regards to 'water rescue'. In the SWCC/SEALs videos I've watched, they didn't drag the 'victim' through the water by their wrist. Just sayin'.

[dalestreeter]

When I was at USMCRD San Diego (1966) we had to pass a water survival course called drown proofing. It was only a day, as I remember, but it was rigorous. The idea was to tread water keeping your head in the water so you wouldn't become exhausted trying to keep your head out of the water. Not pleasant, but an important skill. Sounds like the new water survival test is longer and more intensive.

[datsuntoyy]

I never went for swim instructor but I did get certified open water lifeguard after boot camp. To this day, 28 years later at the age of 52 I still have a 12"x12" concrete paver next to my pool at home I will swim across the pool above my head to keep up my my skills. I also still practice the hands and feet tied drills also. I just don't go in when it's so cold anymore. :)

My daughter is 8 and she swims a toy like that across the pool to practice swimming without hands. She was swimming at 18 months. Hopefully she'll be a third gen Marine in 10 more years or an 0-1 in 14.

[moelester]

you definitely need to know how to swim prior to attending MCIWS. They have an indoc prior to you actually attending the course, and if you fail the indoc (which is kinda like a try out) then they drop you. The drop rate for this course is very significant. 

[abar]

I went through this and graduated as a WSI stationed at Parris Island S.C. except I do not see the Bricks we trained with

[khoi]

this is crazy, if you've guys swimmed in full camoflauge uniform it increases your drag a ton. And they're doing it with vests, boots, training aid, and a helmet on. respect to the us marines