thedrifter
02-24-08, 09:28 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-- “Graduation day” came with no guarantee.
Yes, they spent the last two weeks living in the water. Seven hours a day. Not including the training done on land.
Yes, they regularly swam 2,000 meters in the open ocean, treaded water for up to 30 minutes with a potential load of 18 pounds weighing them down and crossed an Olympic sized pool holding their breath.
And yes, the 15 reconnaissance Marines who began the course had already been reduced to eight.
But only seven Marines in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion’s “Pre-Dive” course would complete the training, and earn a chance to attend the Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course.
“We try to make our pre-dive training equal, if not harder, than the actual combatant diver course,” said Staff Sgt. John Gonczol, a reconnaissance man and head instructor for the course.
“We’re ensuring they’re prepared in every aspect and that nothing will catch them off guard.”
The students, who are reconnaissance men of all ranks, spend the entire two weeks being pushed to the limit, Gonczol said. Every time they get into water during the training, they have no previous knowledge of how far they have to swim or how long they have to tread.
The two-week pre-dive program has such a physical impact on each Marine, they take an average of two-and-a-half minutes off their three-mile run time, Gonczol added. After the course, the first Marine finished his run at just over 16 minutes.
Covering a variety of techniques, the course included “finning” - swimming in the open ocean using primarily the legs and a pair of fins worn on the feet.
And if swimming or finning long distances in the open ocean weren’t enough, the events are timed.
Working off the same standard as the Combatant Diver Course, the reconnaissance Marines are given 15 minutes to complete a 500 meter open ocean fin, and 13 minutes to swim the same distance in the pool.
Although classes begin with 15 to 25 students and one instructor for every three or four Marines, the vigorous nature in the course results in a high attrition rate, usually about 50 percent, Gonczol said.
And no one, no matter what rank or experience, receives any special treatment, he added.
That mentality has been effective over the years, as 1st Recon has maintained a 100 percent graduation record from the Combatant Diver Course.
And through their extensive, strenuous training, 1st Recon is ensuring that continues to happen.
Yes, they spent the last two weeks living in the water. Seven hours a day. Not including the training done on land.
Yes, they regularly swam 2,000 meters in the open ocean, treaded water for up to 30 minutes with a potential load of 18 pounds weighing them down and crossed an Olympic sized pool holding their breath.
And yes, the 15 reconnaissance Marines who began the course had already been reduced to eight.
But only seven Marines in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion’s “Pre-Dive” course would complete the training, and earn a chance to attend the Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course.
“We try to make our pre-dive training equal, if not harder, than the actual combatant diver course,” said Staff Sgt. John Gonczol, a reconnaissance man and head instructor for the course.
“We’re ensuring they’re prepared in every aspect and that nothing will catch them off guard.”
The students, who are reconnaissance men of all ranks, spend the entire two weeks being pushed to the limit, Gonczol said. Every time they get into water during the training, they have no previous knowledge of how far they have to swim or how long they have to tread.
The two-week pre-dive program has such a physical impact on each Marine, they take an average of two-and-a-half minutes off their three-mile run time, Gonczol added. After the course, the first Marine finished his run at just over 16 minutes.
Covering a variety of techniques, the course included “finning” - swimming in the open ocean using primarily the legs and a pair of fins worn on the feet.
And if swimming or finning long distances in the open ocean weren’t enough, the events are timed.
Working off the same standard as the Combatant Diver Course, the reconnaissance Marines are given 15 minutes to complete a 500 meter open ocean fin, and 13 minutes to swim the same distance in the pool.
Although classes begin with 15 to 25 students and one instructor for every three or four Marines, the vigorous nature in the course results in a high attrition rate, usually about 50 percent, Gonczol said.
And no one, no matter what rank or experience, receives any special treatment, he added.
That mentality has been effective over the years, as 1st Recon has maintained a 100 percent graduation record from the Combatant Diver Course.
And through their extensive, strenuous training, 1st Recon is ensuring that continues to happen.