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Marine OCS swim quals?

lexicon66

Registered User
I have been told there are no swim quals at OCS/OCC for the Marines. I want to either be apart of Security Forces, or Infantry if I can make it through OCS (I know I don’t always get that choice). The only reason I ask is that I want to have a 300 or better PFT and I don't want to worry about water training at OCS. I know TBS will require me to complete all the requirements that a Marine needs to.

I am in shape doing well in school I have a 4.0 GPA in all, my PFT's will be 300 before I leave for OCS (if I can get in). I have no criminal record (not even a traffic ticket) and I don’t have any physical problems. Overall I don’t see why I can’t at least get a slot for OCS/OCC. However there is an issue and this is that I can't swim very good and in fact I am very afraid of the water (I know I am a pussy about this). I know I can overcome this but I just need to get an idea about what sort of water training I might encounter if any at OCS...

Also I wanted to ask if it is better for me to get my BS first, perpair physically, and mentally, then walk in the OSO’s office and give them a perfect PFT, or should I get into the DEP program now? Right now I have one year before I graduate. If I get into the DEP now they might just send me with a slot when they want. So this gives me one year to prepair and use my brother that’s a 0331 to train me some before I take the leap into the burning sh*it (this is just my idea). So what is better do you think?


Thanks,
CJ
 

skidkid

CAS Czar
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
Search the site for PLC programs. You can enroll in PLC while in college adn have no RTOC like commitment while in school, you do either two 6 week periods at OCS or 1 ten week period.
Based on your stats you shouldnt have a problem getting accepted.
No swim at OCS but you will be crawling/swimming through some pretty ansty swamps.
Best to get over your fear and do some swimming now, you will be saving yourself a lot of remedial saturdays in the pool at TBS.
Good luck
 

DocT

Dean of Students
pilot
With your stats I would go as soon as possible. What's left to prepare for? Like Skid said, no swimming at OCS, just crawling...however you will have to go underwater in some tight confines.

If you're running 300's, get it done. You won't get an OCS date that will interfere with your schooling. Especially since it's just over a month until PLC/comb starts. If you walk in to an OSO office now you'll get OCC next year. Good Luck.
 

Herc_Dude

I believe nicotine + caffeine = protein
pilot
Contributor
After you finish OCS and make it to TBS, you will do swim quals. For infantry you need to be a Swim Qual level 2. If you cant make that on the qual days, you will have the rest of the time to reach the level you need to make. The guys at the pool here do a great job with remedials and get people to the level they need to be at. If I were you I would just spend as much time in the water as you can. Even if its just treading water and swiming laps, anything will help you become more comfortable. Work on swiming as long as you can without touching the bottom. The more you push your comfort level the better chances you have of getting that swim stuff out of the way sooner. Good luck, and get into OCS ASAP. You sound plenty ready to take the challenge.
 

Crowbar

New Member
None
devil_dog said:
For infantry you need to be a Swim Qual level 2.

Actually all officers are required to be CWS2.

Here's the order. The old "B" order had detailed description of what each level required you to do. For the most part if you're comfortable in the water, you'll pass.
 
Best to get over your fear and do some swimming now, you will be saving yourself a lot of remedial saturdays in the pool at TBS.

I agree, the more swimming now will help you get over the fear. Start in the kiddy pool and wade to the deep..bring a "trusted" friend or family member willing to help you, or maybe if your comfortable enough don't bring one at all...because most likely in OCS no one else will help you either. Just a thought.

How afraid are you? is it just a child-hood fear of the deep-end? or is it the fear of going over-board on a ship and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere in the sea?
 

Herc_Dude

I believe nicotine + caffeine = protein
pilot
Contributor
Crowbar said:
Actually all officers are required to be CWS2.

Here's the order. The old "B" order had detailed description of what each level required you to do. For the most part if you're comfortable in the water, you'll pass.

Yes, I know. I was kinda leading into that, but thanks for the clarification
 

lexicon66

Registered User
goosegagnon2 said:
I agree, the more swimming now will help you get over the fear. Start in the kiddy pool and wade to the deep..bring a "trusted" friend or family member willing to help you, or maybe if your comfortable enough don't bring one at all...because most likely in OCS no one else will help you either. Just a thought.

How afraid are you? is it just a child-hood fear of the deep-end? or is it the fear of going over-board on a ship and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere in the sea?


I live in Colorado where there is not much water, so I basically just have the childhood fear. I just need to do it and get used to it. Though if I were stuck on a ship and it went down I would be more afraid of sharks and other things that sting, or bite. I have tried to wade water in the ocean it seems easier to do maybe it's just because it's deep or because of the salt? However I do know that once a person is overcome with fear they are f*ucked. As you say no one cares if you go under (more like the swim instructors will laugh at me if I do) so for sure this is one issue I need to take care of right now.


Thanks for the info and advice I see sort of what I am getting into because of my what my brother has taught me about the Marine Corps. He’s in Infantry (31) but I am starting to see the mind frame and the mental and physical stresses I might be getting my self into. In the end I know it’s my own mind that will fail long before my body will. I just need to get a slot as soon as I can and be ready when I go.
 

Slammer2

SNFO Advanced, VT-86 T-39G/N
Contributor
a good friend of mine had a similar problem with swimming. He just never learned and tried it a few times and wasnt the best at it so he avoided it. One thing that helped him big time was swimming around in a pool or some area where you are able to touch the bottom easily (even if the water is deeper than you, you can still jump off the ground to get up for air if need be). But just spend a lot of time swimming around and not touching the bottom. Let yourself know that you have the ability to float/swim for a long time without needing a break/wall/stand. Then all you have to do is go to the deep water and should you start to panic, just try to relax and remember that you are able to stay afloat for a while.
 

lexicon66

Registered User
Wow

Check this out my brother is an Infantry machine gunner but he has a friend that’s a Recon swim instructor so he can pass down what he learns from this Marine Recon guy. As long as I got some cock and listen this should get me where I need to be. It might even give me an advantage because of the mentality of Recon swimmers. I could even spend about two weeks with my brother training which in PFT scores and swimming will be more then I could ever have in OCS. I might die like a civilian puke. But at least my brother might help me a bit as he is good in the water so I feel sort of lucky to get some inside training. Not only inside training but Recon/SEAL type sh*t. Any ways I like how Recon and Seals train they are not nice but act as professionals so they can be nice to me and help me out then I can get them drinks at the PX then the bar payment for helping a **** like me….
 

AV8BQAR

Mech
Swim Qual is one of the things that should not be sweated! I just went through a requal in my Corporal's Leadership Course (kickass PME) and went from a level 4 to level 1. Each level is begun with a period of instruction and demos. If you do exactly what the instructors tell you to do, you will be fine. For a comparison, I weigh 120 and have no body fat. With my equipment prepared properly, I was able to both "save" someone and "fight off and save" 3 people in life saving techniques. Pay attention to the techniques and you will do great.
 
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