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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. - In order to give Marines a more realistic experience and better train them to survive in water, Marine Corps Order 1500.52D changed the way they prepare for water survival.
To focus more on the combat side of being a Marine, the Marine Corps Water Survival Training Program has gone from five levels: combat water survival four, three, two, one and water survival qualification, down to three levels: basic, intermediate and advanced.
“It is important for every Marine to know how to swim, we are amphibious,” said Sgt. Brian Schaefer, a Marine combat instructor of water survival with Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 and an Indianapolis native. “You would be surprised how many Marines come out and don’t know how to swim.”
The revamped water survival qualification requires a camouflaged uniform and boots must be worn to qualify. Also, Marines must complete a gear drop including a flak jacket, Kevlar and a rifle to ensure they can get out of their gear in an emergency.
In the water survival basic level, Marines have to shed a flak jacket, Kevlar and a rifle in shallow water and swim 25 meters with a pack.
“The new changes make it more challenging,” said Sgt. Edward Martinez, a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and a Livermore, Calif., native. “That is always a good thing because it instills a certain level of discipline, leadership and the ability to overcome adversity.”
Marines now qualify once every two years in the water survival basic level vice annually with the previous training requirements.
The water survival basic level challenges Marines more than CWS-4 did and strengthens their skills in the water.
“Swim qualification four was easy,” said Martinez. “In an actual combat environment a Marine would be facing more challenges than the original swim qualification trained you for.”
According to the order, the MCWSTP was designed to reduce fear and raise self confidence.
Being amphibious is imperative for Marines and according to Schaefer, the new MCWSTP covers all key points a Marine needs to survive in water.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2011 17:47 |
| Story ID: | 74398 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 753 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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