thedrifter
12-30-08, 07:47 AM
Training to survive
By Julia LeDoux
Published: December 29, 2008
Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center in Woodbridge recently hosted more than 300 Marine Corps reservists for water survival training.
“They have to be able to jump from the high board in a certain fashion, they have to put on their gear, their clothes and jump from the high board and they have to put their packs on their rifles and everything,” explained Stephanie Shook, aquatics director at Chinn. “It’s all about survivability in the water, should they have to abandon ship.”
The Marines would normally use the pool at Raymer Hall aboard Quantico Marine Corps base for water survival training, but that facility is currently undergoing maintenance.
“Our dedication to the community at large includes the Marine Corps base,” said Prince William Park Authority public relations manager Dianne Cabot.
“They’re very much a part of our family, as with all other citizens of the county. If we can provide a service to them, we are happy to do so.”
The Marines were part of Quantico Viper 3, which brought the reservists to Quantico Marine Corps base for pre-deployment training earlier this month. In addition to water survival training, the Marines also qualified with their weapons, spent time in the classroom, and completed convoy operations and marital arts instruction.
Sgt. Daniel Williams, a Marine combat instructor of water survival, watched intently as the Marines began their training in the shallow end of the pool.
Wearing their camouflage utilities but not their boots, they were required to swim 25 meters using a survival stroke — either the breaststroke, the backstroke or the sidestroke.
“It’s not meant for speed,” Williams explained. “It’s just meant to keep them in the water for hours on end. We’re teaching the Marinesendurance in the water.”
A few years ago a lance corporal fell off his ship in the middle of the night. He absence was not noted until the next morning during a head count. The Marine eventually spent 36 hours in the water and was picked up by a trawler and reunited with his unit.
“That’s why we teach water survival training,” Williams said. “Every Marine, not matter their MOS [military occupational specialty] takes water survival training.”
The Marines then jumped off the pool’s high boards and swam wearing their utilities, boots, and packs while carrying a mock rifle.
“They train for combat, they train for real world experience, to take the fight to the enemy,” said Williams.
Ellie
By Julia LeDoux
Published: December 29, 2008
Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center in Woodbridge recently hosted more than 300 Marine Corps reservists for water survival training.
“They have to be able to jump from the high board in a certain fashion, they have to put on their gear, their clothes and jump from the high board and they have to put their packs on their rifles and everything,” explained Stephanie Shook, aquatics director at Chinn. “It’s all about survivability in the water, should they have to abandon ship.”
The Marines would normally use the pool at Raymer Hall aboard Quantico Marine Corps base for water survival training, but that facility is currently undergoing maintenance.
“Our dedication to the community at large includes the Marine Corps base,” said Prince William Park Authority public relations manager Dianne Cabot.
“They’re very much a part of our family, as with all other citizens of the county. If we can provide a service to them, we are happy to do so.”
The Marines were part of Quantico Viper 3, which brought the reservists to Quantico Marine Corps base for pre-deployment training earlier this month. In addition to water survival training, the Marines also qualified with their weapons, spent time in the classroom, and completed convoy operations and marital arts instruction.
Sgt. Daniel Williams, a Marine combat instructor of water survival, watched intently as the Marines began their training in the shallow end of the pool.
Wearing their camouflage utilities but not their boots, they were required to swim 25 meters using a survival stroke — either the breaststroke, the backstroke or the sidestroke.
“It’s not meant for speed,” Williams explained. “It’s just meant to keep them in the water for hours on end. We’re teaching the Marinesendurance in the water.”
A few years ago a lance corporal fell off his ship in the middle of the night. He absence was not noted until the next morning during a head count. The Marine eventually spent 36 hours in the water and was picked up by a trawler and reunited with his unit.
“That’s why we teach water survival training,” Williams said. “Every Marine, not matter their MOS [military occupational specialty] takes water survival training.”
The Marines then jumped off the pool’s high boards and swam wearing their utilities, boots, and packs while carrying a mock rifle.
“They train for combat, they train for real world experience, to take the fight to the enemy,” said Williams.
Ellie