FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Soldiers training to be [12C Bridge Crewmembers](https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/mechanics-engineering/design-develop/12c-bridge-crewmember) with Fort Leonard Wood’s 1st Engineer Brigade, are now learning combat water survival skills during advanced individual training.
“No trainee or Soldier should have their first experience in the water be under emergency conditions,” said Maj. Kelli Foley, 31st Engineer Battalion executive officer.
Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Yochim, Company D, 31st Eng. Bn., senior drill sergeant, said combat water survival skills training is critical to the success of his future bridge crewmembers because a large part of their jobs will be constructing floating bridges and rafts to cross bodies of water.
“It is important to expose trainees to water survival skills, so when they go to their first unit they have a basic understanding of what to do if they fall into a body of water,” Yochim said.
According to Foley, the battalion began the combat water survival training about six months ago with the main objective of helping Soldiers build confidence in the water while learning basic survival skills.
“Having this style of controlled exposure is important. Someone may think they are a strong swimmer, but when they enter the water with their full uniform, modular scalable vest, and weapon, suddenly swimming and even staying afloat becomes significantly more challenging,” Foley said.
“It is essential that they learn to remain calm so they can respond to the situation effectively.”
March 17, Foley spent her morning in the Davidson Fitness Center swimming pool with bridge crewmembers training with Company D.
“For people who can’t swim, being in the water can be absolutely terrifying, and I want to help them become more comfortable and less prone to panic,” Foley said.
All four of the battalion’s one station unit training companies have now incorporated combat water survival skills training into their curriculum.
“When feasible, companies will bring their entire training population (to include [12B Combat Engineers](https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/mechanics-engineering/design-develop/12b-combat-engineer)) rather than just the bridge crewmembers,” Foley said. “Company B just completed the training with their full class a couple weeks ago.”
Yochim led his company’s first water training March 17.
“We started with simply treading water,” Yochim said.
Soldiers learned how to remove their boots and trousers while treading water, and how to make a flotation device with their Army Combat Uniform trousers by tying the legs and inflating them with air.
To complete the training, Soldiers walked off the high diving board while holding their rifles above their heads, to teach them to resurface, maintain control of their weapon and swim to safety.
According to Foley, this training builds a more ready Army by ensuring Soldiers can operate confidently in any environment, including in and around water.
“Many Soldiers arrive with limited swimming ability or fear of the water, which can become a serious distraction during real‑world operations. By developing confidence and competence now, they are better prepared to focus on the mission when conditions are far less controlled,” she said.