Recruits of Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, swim 25 meters during basic water survival training March 2, 2015, on Parris Island, S.C. Water survival qualification, one of seven graduation require More
Lance Cpl. Jeffrey T. Malone, a 20-year-old wireman with 9th Communication Battalion treads water in a utility uniform during the new swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 1. Marines must stay aflo More
Staff Sgt. Zachary D. Curran, Marine Corps water survival instructor, teaches a recruit proper technique of staying afloat Sept. 11 at the swim tank aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Recruits must le More
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Esteban Ramos, swim instructor, Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, stands at the edge of the pool to ensure safe swim qualifications a More
Cpl. Joseph Guthmann, a Marine Corps instructor of water survival with 8th Communications Battalion, gives instructions to a group of Marines and Sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa More
Lance Cpl. Charles Melber, an armory custodian with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, throws his pack out of the pool during swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4. The q More
Cpl. Kathryn Bynum with Marine Corps Base Quantico Combat Camera, completes the first test to finish the Advanced Swim Qualification Course at Ramer Hall, Quantico, Va., April 11, 2014. The Advanced Swim Qualif More
Lance Cpl. Ricky Gomez with Marine Corps Base Quantico Combat Camera, executes a "back stroke" during the Advanced Swim Qualification Course at Ramer Hall, Quantico, Va., April 11, 2014. The Advanced Swim Quali More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob R. Hansen, Marine Corps water survival instructor 26th Marine Expeditionary, gives safety brief before swim qualification Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug 13, 2014. Molinanava was required t More
Marines with 2nd Radio Battalion swim across the pool in order to maintain readiness and renew their swim qualifications aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 16, 2015. Marines with a basic swim qualifi More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, sign their names in an accountability roster before conducting a swim qualification course aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 18, 2015. The purpose of the course wa More
A U.S. Marine attempts to float as part of the annual basic swim qualification at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 14, 2015. Marine Corps swim qualification ensures Marines are properly t More
A U.S. Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival speaks to Marines with The Basic School as they prepare to take their basic and intermediate swim qualification course at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Qu More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Karis Mattingly, a combat photographer with Communication Strategy and Operations, Headquarters and Support Battalion, submerges under water during Water Survival Basic (WSB) at the Foste More
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Menou with Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment (RTR), watches over recruits with Company G, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, RTR, More
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 conduct the 25-meter swim across the pool during water survival training aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on March 16, 2017. The Mari More
U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing stretch before conducting Water Survival-Advanced (WSA) training on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 29, 2017. WSA is a course that tests M More
U.S. Marine Marine Corps Pfc. Serge Nikov, an air traffic controller-trainee assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, participates in Water Survival-Advanced training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Austyn Krecicki, reproduction specialist, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp S. D. Butler, treads water during the Water Survival-Advanced (WSA) training on Marine More
U.S. Marines with Deployment Processing Center Reserve Support Unit East (DPC/RSU-East) await instruction prior to water survival training on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 15, 2017. The Marines of DPC/RSU-East prepa More
U.S. Marines pass a training brick while treading water during a Water Survival Advanced (WSA) training at the Area 5 pool on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 6, 2017. WSA training is designed to trai More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Justin Ventura, a water support technician with Engineer Support Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, strips his gear during water survival training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 18, 2017 More
U.S. Marines with 7th Engineer Support Battalion dawn gear before they begin conducting water survival training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 18, 2017. Swim qualification tests Marines on distance swimming, d More
The Honorable Mr. Santa Claus, Commanding Officer of Holiday Cheer, NORTHPOLECOM, conducts basic swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 19, 2017. Basic water survival is a training requirement for C More
Soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force conduct Marine Corps intermediate swim qualifications as part of Exercise Iron Fist 2018 on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan.16, 2018. Exercise Iron Fist brings t More
Sgt. Philip M. West with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, completes the 500 meter swim portion of the “Aquathon” at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 29. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadr More
Marines with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, participate in the basic swim qualification course at the Area 5 Training Tank on MCB Camp Lejeu More
U.S. Marine Corps Recruits, with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, and Oscar Co., 4th Bn., RTR, exits the pool during Swim Qualification on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., More
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller conducts a swim qualification test in Quantico, Va., July 24, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Olivia G. Ortiz)
Sergeant Darren Groseclose, a 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion military working dog-handler, praises his dog, Charlie, after his first water encounter, as they swim in the Area 5 pool at Marine Corps Base Camp Lej More
A U.S. Marine with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, swims during Marine Corps Water Survival Training on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2018. The training requires M More
A U.S. Marine with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, climbs out of a pool during Marine Corps Water Survival Training on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2018. The trai More
Basically trained recruits must pass basic swim qualification in order to graduate boot camp. Marine Corps Instructors of Water Survival (MCIWS) train recruits to swim with combat gear and confidence. In order More
1st Lt. Rob Threkeld, a Marine Corps Instructor Water Survival (MCIWS) coach with 3d Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion, Comm. Company, guides a Marine to the end of the pool during basic swim qualificatio More
(From left to right) Sgt. Mike Dennison, Cpl. Erin Silverthorn, Sgt. Cooper Weyland, Cpl. Anthony Burnham, Sgt. Tony Mignogno, and Cpl. Quinn J. Hurt, instructors and students of an advanced water survival cour More
U.S. Marines with Marine Forces Reserve, receive a safety brief before a bi-annual swim qualification course at the University of New Orleans, Oct. 11, 2019. The Marine Corps Water Survival Training Program emp More
U.S. Marines preform in-water exercises water survival advanced (WSA) training at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 28, 2020. WSA is a course that tests Marines on their ability to swim for extended distanc More
A U.S. Marine with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, jumps from a platform to simulate an overboard procedure during the basic qualification seg More
A Marine with Combat Logistics Regiment 35 jumps into water to shed gear during a basic swim qualification on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, April 23, 2020. Marines with 3rd Marine Logistics Group participated in More
A U.S. Marine with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar completes his annual swim qualifications on MCAS Miramar, California, May 20, 2020. Despite the pandemic, MCAS Miramar continues to train Marines and support More
Lance Cpl. John Campbell, a reconnaissance Marine with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Training Platoon, 4th Marine Division participates in a water survival screening at Camp Shelby, Miss., on July 19, 2020. This tra More
A recruit with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, conducts basic swim qualification aboard Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island, S.C., Aug. 4, 2020. The swim qualification is one of the More
Sgt. Matthew J. Medzis, a water survival instructor, teaches Rct. Rachael E. Low, Platoon 4015, Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, how to swim during water survival training March 2, 2015, on Parris More
Cpl. Brandon Yost, a 24-year-old water survival instructor from Modesto, Calif., briefs Marines with 9th Communication Battalion on new swim qualification requirements at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 1.
U.S. Marine recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, stand at the top of a 10-foot tower awaiting their turn to jump into More
Sgt. Lyle Marston, a Marine Corps instructor of water survival with 8th Communications Battalion, watches two Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13.3 perform the deep-water gear sh More
Sgt. Nathan Scheeller, a Marine Corps instructor of water survival with the 43 Area Training Tank, briefs Marines before swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4. The Marines test their abilities t More
Lance Cpl. Ricky Gomez with Marine Corps Base Quantico Combat Camera, executes a proper breast stroke during the Advanced Swim Qualification Course at Ramer Hall, Quantico, Va., April 11, 2014. The Advanced Swi More
Cpl. Kathryn Bynum with Marine Corps Base Quantico Combat Camera, takes a break outside the pool after completing a strenuous portion of the Advanced Swim Qualification Course at Ramer Hall, Quantico, Va., Apri More
U.S. Marines get hosed down before swim qualificationl Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug 13, 2014. Marines are required to annually re-qualify, thus ensuring mission readiness and ensuring quick response time in an aquat More
Marines with 2nd Radio Battalion prepare to shed their gear underwater in order to maintain readiness and renew their swim qualifications aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 16, 2015. Marines with a b More
A U.S. Marine practices holding his breath as part of the annuel basic swim qualification at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 14, 2015. Marine Corps swim qualification ensures Marines are More
U.S. Marines with The Basic School jump off the tower during their basic and intermediate swim qualification course at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 10, 2015. The course teaches Marin More
U.S. Marines, with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, complete their swim qualification at the Foster Aquatic Center on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 20, 2020. All Marines are required to complete the Wate More
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sergio L. Macias with Instructional Training Company (ITC), Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, portrayed a drowning victim at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. More
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, center, speaks with drill instructors at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Sept. 12, 2016. Neller visited San Diego to tour facilities and obser More
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - A Marine with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 jumps into the pool during the 10-foot diving board portion of water survival training aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on March 16, More
U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in Water Survival-Advanced (WSA) training on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 29, 2017. WSA is a course that tests Marines on s More
A U.S. Marine assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing picks up a rescue tube during a Water Survival-Advanced (WSA) training on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 29, 2017. WSA is a course that More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Jose A. Trevizo, aircraft maintenance ground support equipment technician, and Lance Cpl. Jeremy H. Grenell, aircraft avionics technician, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, pr More
U.S. Marines with Deployment Processing Center Reserve Support Unit East (DPC/RSU-East) conduct water survival training on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 15, 2017. The Marines of DPC/RSU-East prepare reserve forces b More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nicole Turner, engineer equipment mechanic, Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 2d Marine Logistics Group, simulates a drowning victim during a Water Survival Advanced (WSA) training at the Ar More
U.S. Marines with the 7th Engineer Support Battalion carry their gear while swimming 25 meters during water survival training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 18, 2017. Marines are required to have their gear du More
U.S. Marines with 7th Engineer Support Battalion prepare to conduct the treading in water portion of their water survival training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 18, 2017. Marines are required to have their he More
Soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force conduct Marine Corps intermediate swim qualifications as part of Exercise Iron Fist 2018 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan.16, 2018. Exercise Iron Fist brings t More
Lt. Col. Michael A. Spears, commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, completes the two mile run during the “Aquathon” at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 29. Headquarters and More
A Marine with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, participate in the basic swim qualification course at the Area 5 Training Tank on MCB Camp Leje More
U.S. Marine Corps Recruits, with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, and Oscar Co., 4th Bn., RTR, prepares to tread water during Swim Qualification on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Islan More
Sergeant Joseph Adams, a 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion military working dog-handler, shouts commands at his dog, Gunner, as they swim in the Area 5 pool at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 3, 2018. 2n More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, tread water during Marine Corps Water Survival Training on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2018. The training requi More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kameron Herndon, left, a videographer with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, records a video during the gear shed portion of Swim Qualification More
Marines with 3rd Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion, participate in basic swim qualification on Camp Hansen, Jan. 11, 2018. Warrant Officer Michal Ambros, a motor transport maintenance officer, and 1st Lt. More
U.S. Marines with Marine Forces Reserve, swim 25 meters during a bi-annual swim qualification course at the University of New Orleans, Oct. 11, 2019. The Marine Corps Water Survival Training Program is designed More
U.S. Marines tread water while holding a brick during water survival advanced (WSA) training at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 28, 2020. WSA is a course that tests Marines on their ability to swim for ex More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, participate in the basic qualification segment of the Marine Corps Water Survival Training P More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Logistics Group jump into deep water during a basic swim qualification on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, April 23, 2020. The Marines participated in a swim qualification to remain dep More
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar complete their annual swim qualifications on MCAS Miramar, California, May 20, 2020. Despite the pandemic, MCAS Miramar continues to train Marines and support More
The boat belonging to Cpl. Quinn J. Hurt, a photographer with Communication Strategies and Operations on Marine Corps Base Quantico, sits anchored at the location where Hurt and three other Marines rescued a fa More
Rct. Cynthia L. Mecham, Platoon 4015, Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, leaps into the water as part of water survival training March 2, 2015, on Parris Island, S.C. Leaping from a 10-foot tower si More
Marines with 9th Communication Battalion prepare to begin the new swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 1. Marines must now qualify with boots on for the entire exam.
U.S. Marine recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, sit on the side of the combat training pool awaiting their turn to en More
Staff Sgt. John Aguayo, a Marine Corps instructor of water survival with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, watches two Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13.3 perform the “abandone More
2nd Lt. Daniel Markovich with Delta Company, The Basic School, removes his goggles and awaits for the next period of testing with his fellow students during the Advanced Swim Qualification Course at Ramer Hall, More
U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Daniel Markovich with Detla Company, The Basic School pulls 1st Lt. Jessica De Maria with Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, during a survivor training portion o More
U.S. Marines participate in swim qualification in the area 5 swimming pool Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug 13, 2014. Marines are required to annually re-qualify, thus ensuring mission readiness and ensuring quick respo More
Marines with 2nd Radio Battalion swim across the pool with gear in order to maintain readiness and renew their swim qualification aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 16, 2015. Marines with a basic swi More
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Michael Bandy, a motor transportation operations chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, conducts the 25 meter assessment swim portion of the basic qualification course aboard Cam More
U.S. Marines complete platform jumps as part of the annuel basic swim qualification at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 14, 2015. Marine Corps swim qualification ensures Marines are prope More
U.S. Marines with The Basic School submerge themselves in the water during their basic and intermediate swim qualification course at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 10, 2015. The course More
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Willetts, center, with Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation during an exercise at Marine Co More
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, right, speaks to a Marine at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Sept. 12, 2016. Neller visited San Diego to tour facilities and observe recruit t More
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - A Marine with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 conducts the 10-foot diving board portion during water survival training at the pool aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on March 16, 2 More
U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in Water Survival-Advanced (WSA) training on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 29, 2017. WSA is a course that tests Marines on More
U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing swim laps during Water Survival-Advanced (WSA) training on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 29, 2017. WSA is a course that tests Marines on More