Harder Than it Looks! Green Beret Swim Test

The swim test is harder than it looks! Make sure you practice!

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Disclaimer:
Our content is NOT intended as professional advice. We are not medical or legal professionals, any advice received and or acted upon from this channel should be done so at your own risk. We do not encourage anyone to emulate the food challenges we conduct or the consumption of alcohol. The FNG Academy LLC insists that no one recreate or reenact any stunts, or challenges seen on this channel. All swim related training should be done with a partner, shallow water blackouts are a real deal!

[FNGACADEMY]

SERE knives still in stock! grab yours while they last! Also sign up for June 04th Mentorship and meet the team!

[THEpower]

I’m a Marine and I’ve completed the Water Survival Advanced course for our swim qual.
I would highly recommend before you even put cammies on in the pool; get into the pool slick as much as possible. At the same time, do not let any qual or course be the first time you jump into the pool and attempt a swim in cammies. It takes time.
Get used to getting wet, having your head under water, and mastering your breathing.
Having your head out of the water during any stroke will cause your body to tilt up in an awkward angle, and cause you to be less streamlined, and cause more drag. It also keeps your neck tense causing you to tire out faster. Goggles and dipping your head into the water are a must in order to stay streamlined (I don’t know if this qual allows goggles, but if it does I would highly recommend them).
LEARN THE STROKES. Learn to maximize your kick, and don’t waste all your energy with your arms.
Also use the acronym SAFE when you’re in the water.
-Slow easy movements
Move slowly to conserve energy.
-Apply natural buoyancy
Use natural buoyancy to support the body.
-Full lung inflation
Fill the lungs with each breath. Do not hold air in the cheeks.
-Extreme relaxation
Tight muscles are denser than relaxed ones and do not float as well.
50 meters is not the end of the world, but I remember when I was a boot trying the Recon screener, and I completely botched it in the water. Don’t underestimate the water, because it will take your ass to school if you panic.

[FtLivingRoomHomestead]

When I took the SF PT Test back in 99, they made us do the swim test immediately after the 2 mile run. I passed the test, but I was cramping so bad after the run, my legs felt like sacks of bricks in the water, and I am a strong swimmer. Hydration and stretching is VERY important.

[JayDubbBCT]

Good point that the uniform retains so much water weight and restricts movement. The only way to describe it is to get out and do it. Great video Sean especially since it's starting to warm up now which makes it easier to train in pools. Keep keeping on Brother! 🤘🏼

[FitLife]

I can’t speak to how it is at RASP or Selection, but Ranger School’s swim test is similar in that you’re going into it absolutely smoked. I underestimated how tired I’d be while doing it and how the fatigue just fed into deep insecurities I have in the water, and I failed Ranger School because of it. Definitely recommend practicing the side stroke, because as Sean says, it uses the least amount of energy since you’re moving with the water. It was a little hard getting the timing of everything down at first, so it’s definitely worth spending some time practicing, especially with boots and OCPs.

[arisjefrenmairenasanchez]

Thanks buck, for making in us an idea of what we could really expect at SFAS.
Your videos help me a lot to find out the best way to practice for it

[sd-pwrh]

Thanks Buck. I love these demonstrations, the channel is getting better and better!

[dolphinsmadden]

Pro tip, when you’re executing the stroke portion put your chin down to your chest. The angle of your head will largely dictate the angle of your spine and the more aligned you are with the surface of the water, ideally perpendicular, the less drag you will have. So when your heads down to your chest exhale and then when it comes up take your breath.

[theancientone]

The sidestroke is definitely a better choice. Stew Smith has an excellent Navy Seal prep book that includes a DVD that shows you exactly how to do the sidestroke, and after I watched his video on it, I rapidly improved my swim times. (The complete guide to navy seal fitness). I highly recommend his book if you want to get your endurance up in general.

I'm not military, but I used to workout a lot and swim a lot when I was younger, which swimming in my opinion is one of the best cardiovascular exercises, and I love the beach.

Appreciate your videos, seem like a cool dude.

[TimRHillard]

I like that combat side strike for long distance if time is not an issue. I just feel like I can relax and keep going. Breast stroke, yeah I hit that point were I start to get gassed and I feel like I'm going to sink. Also, and maybe its is just me, but I feel like I can switch forward hands and give my alternating push pull muscle a break.

[johnrossman]

I regret not going to the Q course when I was in. A friend of mine did and passed. He mentioned to me that I could have gone for it, but at that time (1998) I was done with garrison Army 11B Fort Lewis, and I just wanted out.

[tyblaize]

Once you get CSS down it is great. I had to.do it to earn my SWCC contract a few years ago and it is very useful once you get the motion and breathing down. So I'll definitely use it for the test

[skulleton]

No substitute for training with full gear on, but if you can't do that with any regularity, a drag belt/swim parachute is great for conditioning and you can use those anywhere anytime!

[GypsyV]

Thanks buck.. as a prior service marine infantry man. Boat company scout swimmer. I’ll do great in the water. Been looking at your videos. They help tremendously. Getting ready for an SFRE with the NG

[C--Brandan]

Gotta Sike & Amp yourself up for the swim test by watchin Free Willy 1 + 2 & if you really need some motivation throw on Flipper as well! My helpful tip of the day, anything to get that edge over everyone else!

[justinmalangoni]

flattening your hands on your down stroke makes a difference as well. cardio is king.

[christopherpearson]

Good advice... It wasn't all that difficult to me, but I'm a strong swimmer. What I seen affect guys the most, was doing it in January or February in cold ass water. I watched a guy, who was a lifegaurd before enlisting, completely freeze up when hitting the water on a January swim test. The RIs had to pull him from the water. I just decided to walk on the water, instead of swimming..lol. This video has really good advice for those who may find swimming a challenge. If you're not a good swimmer, go to the pool and practice. You can do anything you put your mind to. It's worth it, I promise you.

[fnulnu]

Marine here, and it's clear we spend a little more time in the pool. Not a hit on the army, it's just not your normal working environment. Even if you're smoked...proper breath control, technique, and a positive mindset WILL get you there. Will you be exhausted? Yup. Will you finish? Your odds are certainly better. Like he said, don't rush it, or you'll just wear yourselves out and it only gets ugly from there.

[ctpatriot]

I recommend that if you can't get a hold of a smaller size bdu or garrison's, at least what helped me was in button the cuffs around your wrist's. If you don't they seem to fill up with air and slowly get water bound. At least if you uncuff them they will drain out the water.

[davidsaunders]

I’m glad I went through rescue swimmer school in the navy, I’ll be out next August and plan on going to selection!