thedrifter
08-02-08, 07:08 AM
The trick is to keep breathing
Marines keep their heads above water in challenging swim instructor course
Pfc. Jeffrey Cordero
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa (August 1, 2008) -- "Get in the water!"
The yell sent swimmers diving into the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma pool July 21 to start yet another afternoon of conditioning swims during the second week of the Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival Course, which began July 14 and is scheduled to end Friday.
There were 28 Marines from units all over Okinawa who participated in the course taught by a III Marine Expeditionary Force mobile training team.
Participants were selected for their exceptional swimming abilities, said Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Hewitt, the directing instructor trainer of the course.
"The Marines who participated in the course are among the top 10 percent of Marine Corps swimmers," Hewitt said.
The course will provide Okinawa with about 28 new MCIWS instructors, according to Sgt. Richard R. Stuckenschneider, the chief instructor of the course.
Previously there had been a shortage of instructors here on Okinawa which made getting swim qualified more difficult for the Marines.
The three-week course includes conditioning swims, lap swimming, water aerobics and rescue swims with and without combat gear.
"Swimmers swim approximately 35 miles in three weeks and perform a variety of aquatic rescues as well as conduct American Red Cross life guarding skills," Hewitt said.
Throughout the course, the students are also tested in all of the previous swim qualification levels to ensure they are able to instruct Marines during swim qualifications up to water survival qualification.
In order for Marines to be selected to take part in the course they must be swim qualified up to water survival qualification, be a corporal, or a waived lance corporal, have at least one year in their enlistment and pass a prescreening.
"The course is truly demanding," said Hewitt. "Marines must be prepared to swim like fish if they hope to make it through the course."
Many of the students felt the truth of Hewitt's words.
"It's more challenging than I expected," said Sgt. Anthony J. Jackson, a student and a maintenance administration clerk with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Although the course challenges Marines to their highest potential, they were always motivated and willing to push forward. With each exercise the students would dive into the water before being told to do so and would execute each and every technique with maximum effort.
"When you are in there, everyone is swimming with you, and when no one stops, it makes you not want to stop," said Lance Cpl. Griffin C. Alford, a student and a ground support equipment mechanic with MALS-36.
Once the students are MCIWS qualified they will be able to conduct swim qualifications, and help their units train Marines.
"I'll just be happy to train more Marines," Jackson said. "I enjoy that."
Course graduates also receive certificates for American Red Cross life guarding, first aid, and cardio pulmonary resuscitation for the professional rescuer.
Ellie
Marines keep their heads above water in challenging swim instructor course
Pfc. Jeffrey Cordero
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa (August 1, 2008) -- "Get in the water!"
The yell sent swimmers diving into the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma pool July 21 to start yet another afternoon of conditioning swims during the second week of the Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival Course, which began July 14 and is scheduled to end Friday.
There were 28 Marines from units all over Okinawa who participated in the course taught by a III Marine Expeditionary Force mobile training team.
Participants were selected for their exceptional swimming abilities, said Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Hewitt, the directing instructor trainer of the course.
"The Marines who participated in the course are among the top 10 percent of Marine Corps swimmers," Hewitt said.
The course will provide Okinawa with about 28 new MCIWS instructors, according to Sgt. Richard R. Stuckenschneider, the chief instructor of the course.
Previously there had been a shortage of instructors here on Okinawa which made getting swim qualified more difficult for the Marines.
The three-week course includes conditioning swims, lap swimming, water aerobics and rescue swims with and without combat gear.
"Swimmers swim approximately 35 miles in three weeks and perform a variety of aquatic rescues as well as conduct American Red Cross life guarding skills," Hewitt said.
Throughout the course, the students are also tested in all of the previous swim qualification levels to ensure they are able to instruct Marines during swim qualifications up to water survival qualification.
In order for Marines to be selected to take part in the course they must be swim qualified up to water survival qualification, be a corporal, or a waived lance corporal, have at least one year in their enlistment and pass a prescreening.
"The course is truly demanding," said Hewitt. "Marines must be prepared to swim like fish if they hope to make it through the course."
Many of the students felt the truth of Hewitt's words.
"It's more challenging than I expected," said Sgt. Anthony J. Jackson, a student and a maintenance administration clerk with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Although the course challenges Marines to their highest potential, they were always motivated and willing to push forward. With each exercise the students would dive into the water before being told to do so and would execute each and every technique with maximum effort.
"When you are in there, everyone is swimming with you, and when no one stops, it makes you not want to stop," said Lance Cpl. Griffin C. Alford, a student and a ground support equipment mechanic with MALS-36.
Once the students are MCIWS qualified they will be able to conduct swim qualifications, and help their units train Marines.
"I'll just be happy to train more Marines," Jackson said. "I enjoy that."
Course graduates also receive certificates for American Red Cross life guarding, first aid, and cardio pulmonary resuscitation for the professional rescuer.
Ellie