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Every two years in a Marines career, they can be found in a pool somewhere around the world and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is no different. Marines participated in their biennial Basic Water Survival Training at Area 5 Training Tank, Monday.
Not every Marine has daily missions in the water but it is paramount in the Marine Corps to be prepared for anything at any time.
“A Marine has to be comfortable being in the water,” said Sgt. Edgardo Villegas, a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival. “Panicking in the water is the main overwhelming terror that can destroy a person’s ability to stay above the surface.”
The basic water survival qualification ensures each Marine can carry out tasks in water. The qualification consists of five events which test a Marine’s ability to stay calm even off dry land.
The first event is a 25-meter swim. Next is conducting a self-rescue by descending off a high dive and swimming out of the pool. The third event is showing the ability to stay afloat without using a large amount of energy. Then, a Marine must jump into the training tank and shed their gear including a rifle, kevlar helmet and flak jacket. Finally, the last event is to demonstrate the survival technique of turning combat uniform utilities into a floatation device by allowing the clothing to fill with air.
“The most difficult event for me is the 25-meter swim because I’ve never spent much time in the water,” said Lance Cpl. Allen Subijano, a Marine participating in the Basic Water Survival Training.
The primary goal of MCIWS is to confirm a Marine can stay safe if they find themselves in the water or even worse overboard.
“Marines come from all different walks of life and backgrounds. Some Marines have never been to the ocean before and have never been swimming, so it’s a big challenge for a lot of these Marines to come out here and face the water,” said Villegas. “It doesn’t matter how strong or fit you are, the water is an equalizer.”
The training continues for the Marines who excel in water. Intermediate and Advance Water Survival Training teach more in-depth lifesaving techniques.
“We can replace gear, but we can’t replace Marines,” said Villegas.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2017 15:57 |
| Story ID: | 241541 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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