Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Bragg | Staff Sgt. Emanuel Hudson (left), Administrative Law and Support staff noncommissioned...... read more read more
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KANEOHNE BAY, Hawaii - Headquarters Battalion Marines aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii visited the base pool Oct. 28, 2013 through Nov. 1, 2013 to conduct various physical training and swimming exercises in preparation for an upcoming Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival course.
Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival is a course that certifies Marines and sailors with the ability to oversee swim qualifications within their unit. The MCIWS course is also ranked as one of the most demanding courses within the Marine Corps and one of the toughest swim qualifications in the military.
“The Marines are doing these exercises not only for the PT, but it’s also giving them a taste of what the MCIWS course will be like,” said Sgt. Landon Chapman, Headquarters Battalion MCIWS and training noncommissioned officer in charge, and 31-year-old of Washington, Ill. “I’m showing them what I felt were the toughest challenges when I went through MCIWS school, so they’ll get to practice those techniques and hopefully have an advantage going into the course.”
Chapman oversaw Marines every morning from 5 a.m. to various times throughout the day so they could go through as many exercises as possible.
Some of the exercises required Marines to swim a distance of 25 meters on their side while holding a rubber brick above the water, known as a brick carry. Another exercise required them to swim 50 meters on their back using only their legs while holding a rubber brick above the water with both hands, known as a brick tow.
“The key to these exercises is to practice fundamentals and proper techniques,” Chapman said. “Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, you simply have to tell yourself, ‘No matter how hard it gets, I’m not going to quit.’”
Swimming back and forth across the pool, the Marines completed different exercises using the 10-pound rubber brick and critiqued each other on things they noticed that would improve their swimming.
“Unlike other physical training courses, the MCIWS course is all about water survival, and water is a natural equalizer for most people,” said Capt. Shane Ward, Headquarters company commander for Headquarters Battalion. “If someone has a fear of the water, then how are they going to survive?”
While swimming, the Marines grew exhausted with every stride and every exercise they completed.
“Technique is essential to being successful,” said Staff Sgt. Emanuel Hudson, Administrative Law and Support staff noncommissioned officer in charge for the Legal Support Team, and 29-year-old native of Bronx, N.Y. “These exercises are helping us prepare so we can accomplish MCIWS and become more successful.”
Third Marine Regiment will be conducting a MCIWS course from Dec. 2 to Dec. 20 at the base pool aboard MCB Hawaii. For more information on the course, contact your unit’s S-3 department.
The course is available to all Marines and sailors, however there are few requirements you must meet. To be eligible for the course, you must be an NCO, have an intermediate water swim qualification and you must pass the MCIWS pre-screener.
The pre-screener includes a 500-meter swim, which must be completed in less than 13 minutes, a 25-meter underwater swim and a 50-meter brick tow.
“Not everyone can get through MCIWS, and the majority fail because they quit,” Chapman explained. “However, Marines are amphibious by nature. That’s why we’re doing these exercises, to get these Marines comfortable with the challenges and the water so they have the best possible chance of succeeding.”
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2013 14:09 |
| Story ID: | 116258 |
| Location: | KANEOHE BAY, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | BRONX, NEW YORK, US |
| Hometown: | WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 1,879 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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