Ramer Hall pool, located at The Basic School on the west side of Marine Corps Base Quantico, has extended their lap-swim hours, added remedial training and brought on more instructors. The goal is to improve Marines’ proficiency in the water, said Sgt. Trevor McLaren, course chief and instructor-trainer of water survival at TBS .

“We’ve seen a lot of Marines who don’t know how to swim at the level that they should, so we’re trying to get everyone [equipped] to pass Basic Qualification and also get them prepared for fleet life,” said McLaren.

It’s a change that also aligns with leadership’s aim to increase physical training.

“We are pushing to be in line with the commander’s intent of physical training being a daily event for Marines from 6  to 9 a.m.,” said Gunnery Sgt. Brian Evans, instructor-trainer of water survival at TBS.

Now, instead of two instructors, the pool provides five, who work throughout the day, offering remedial training, swim courses and qualification testing for all Marines aboard the base.

The Marine Corps’ swim qualification test has three proficiency levels: basic, intermediate and advanced. A Marine’s billet and specialty will determine whether they must pass intermediate and or advanced qualification levels. However, every Marine must pass Basic Qualification, which is a water survival test where they shed their gear in deep water within less than 10 seconds. Next, they must jump off “the tower” which is a 5-foot raised platform that simulates abandoning ship. Then, Marines have to tread water for four minutes, wearing full gear and without touching the pool’s edge. For the last portion, perform a pack swim, where they transport their packs from one end of the pool to the other.

While the primary job of a Ramer Hall’s instructor-trainers is to prepare new officers at TBS for swim qualifications, Mclaren said they are committed to helping all Marines, regardless of their skill level.

“We’ve seen people with a combination of challenges that range from needing help with technique, fear of the water and those who [aren’t safe in the water],” Mclaren said. “We just start them from the basics with bathing suits or shorts, and then we start adding gear – wet boots, cammies and then progress until they can pass the Basic Qualification course.

Marine instructors also offer Aquatic Maximum Power Intense Training.

“This is a water workout program that we can run Marines through as a change from the normal PT routine, which is an option for light-duty Marines or for [those] who are coming off light-duty and want to ease back into a normal PT with low-impact training.

Ramer Hall pool changes are permanent, a move Evans hopes will encourage Marines to practice more.

“We look forward to being able to help all of our Marines build the confidence and abilities in the water,” Evans said.

The pool is open to all Department of Defense card holders. Participants are encouraged to call Ramer Hall at 703-432-6601 before visiting to ensure a swim course is not in session. Marines are not required to wear official PT gear during lap swim hours.

Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com