Photo By Sharilyn Wells | A soldier with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and...... read more read more
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Fort Bragg, N.C. — It got a little soggy for members of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) this battle assembly. Soldiers made a splash as they were trained on proper swimming and survival skills during the unit’s water survival training at Archer Pool, Sept. 10
“This was my first time doing this sort of training,” said Pfc. Shante Edwards. “I was a little nervous at first because I consider myself an okay swimmer. I thought they were going to make me jump into the deep end and drown, but the trainers eased us into the water.”
For non-swimmers or beginning swimmers, the trainers took the time to teach techniques in the shallow area of the pool and even HHC commander, Maj. Russell Staley, jumped at the opportunity to build confidence in the timid swimmers by getting into the water with them to demonstrate proper technique and encouraging them along the way.
“The training really teaches us to trust our equipment,” continued Edwards. “I really enjoyed (the training), it was something different.”
The soldiers’ basic water survival training included waterproofing their rucksacks, a full-gear water walk, a confidence check (in which a soldier tries to sit on the bottom of the pool with full gear, to prove buoyancy), float for five minutes in full gear as well as swim in full gear with their weapon. They also had to perfect exiting the pool in full gear and tread water/complete a hanging float. Then the soldiers had to again, swim and float again but without their rucksacks.
“The weapon was heavier than I thought it would be,” said Edwards. “I figured it would be lighter in the water, but I was definitely tired after the swim test.”
“This type of training is really important to everyone because it teaches the basics in water survival,” explained Master Sgt. Nick Vidrine, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the training. “I’m amazed to know there are so many people who don’t know how to swim. If you look at the ACRSC (Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center) and see all the PLRs (preliminary loss reports) that involve drownings, it’s astonishing. This type of training can better prepare a soldier if they find themselves in a similar situation.”
HHC even added a special training session for its airborne soldiers, giving them the chance to train on water landings. Soldiers were put in a situation where they were physically underneath the canopy of a parachute and had to follow the radial seams to safety. The soldiers also had the opportunity to experience the sensation of being dragged underwater while trying to release their riser to free him or herself.
“This was a fun thing for us to do,” said Master Sgt. Rich Sale. “You’d usually do this type of training before conducting a water jump. It simulates the differences you will encounter while landing in water than you will on land.”
For Pvt. Gary Keily the training was an experience he’s never had before. Keily is planning on going to airborne school in the near future.
“It was pretty cool that the trainers took the time to show me (the techniques) even though I’m not airborne,” said Keily. “It was an experience, that’s for sure.”
Because there are many times soldier may find themselves in need to negotiate water obstacles, the Water Survival Training, Training Circular (TC 21-21), acknowledges that not all soldiers will be advanced swimmers. However, the training that has been developed is more geared towards building the soldier’s confidence for operations in and around water.
“In all reality, it’s good to know how to swim,” said Vidrine. “I mean, it’s hard not to find yourself near water and soldiers need to be prepared to negotiate through it.”
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2011 15:15 |
| Story ID: | 76964 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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