Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA --
On Nov. 30, 1995, Lance Cpl. Zachary Mayo could not
sleep and decided to walk the deck of aircraft carrier, USS America, during a
deployment in the Arabian Sea. With a shift of the wind and sudden movement of
the ship, Mayo fell overboard and watched as the ship continued its course.
With nobody around to hear his cries for help, Mayo recalled his previous
training, inflated his uniform into a life preserver and floated in the open
sea for over 36 hours until being rescued by a Pakistani fishing boat. When
questioned, the young Marine stated he “used the water survival training he
learned in the Marine Corps.” This training ultimately saved the young Marine’s
life.
Marines are inherently amphibious by nature and are
expected to operate in aquatic environments. The Marine Corps Water Survival
Training Program (MCWSTP) is designed to educate and train Marines to employ
water survival skills of increasing levels to reduce fear, increase
self-confidence and develop the ability to survive in water.
Currently, there are seven qualification levels in the
MCWSTP. All Marines are required to meet the standard of Water Survival Basic,
regardless of Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Water Survival Basic
certified Marines possess the rudimentary skills required to survive a
waterborne mishap. Water Survival Intermediate and Advanced levels exceed the
minimum standard, allowing Marines to improve their water survival skills.
Marines
wanting to pursue Water Survival Advanced (WSA) or Marine Corps Instructor of
Water Survival (MCIWS) certifications, are required to attend the respective
course offered throughout the year. The WSA course trains Marines in aquatic
rescue and survival techniques and the MCIWS course trains Marines in aquatic
rescue and survival techniques, while also training Marines in coaching
techniques. During both WSA and MCIWS, Marines learn four variations of water
rescue techniques, learn critical survival strokes and conduct a timed swim.
The
Ramer Hall pool located at Camp Barret, adjacent to The Basic School (TBS),
offers “open swim qualification” every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. for Marines
interested in qualifying or requalifying in Water Survival Basic or
Intermediate. No appointment is necessary, but calling ahead is recommended
since TBS Basic Officer Course training takes priority. Lap swim hours are also
available for Marines and civilians from 6–7:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m.–12:30
p.m., Monday through Friday. For course information or questions please contact
Sgt. Bruce Sutherland, chief instructor at bruce.sutherland@usmc.mil or call
703- 432-6466.
“In
my time spent as a MCIWS at TBS, I have seen this program give many Marines,
officers and enlisted, a new sense of confidence in the water. Put a rifle in a
Marine’s hands and their mind and body will relax and revert back to training
and muscle memory. That is the same reaction that as Instructors of Water
Survival we aim to give Marines in an aquatic environment.”
— Sgt. Fankboner, MCIWS