Becoming a Sailor, Part 2: Getting in the Water
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- Опубликовано: 7 апр 2019
- It might seem obvious, but it's also critically important: To be in the Navy, you need to know how to survive - and fight - in the water. Get ready to dive in.
On day one, recruits go to the pool to do their initial swim test.
Follow along in our series "Becoming a Sailor" to see what Navy recruits experience as they go through boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, the Navy's only recruit training facility. (Military Times/Syndicated in Partnership with Sandboxx )
Learn more and get ready for boot camp with the comprehensive Sandboxx guide at hello.sandboxx.us/get-ready-f...
Links to the rest of the Becoming a Sailor series:
Becoming a Sailor, Part 1: Arrival Night
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
Becoming a Sailor, Part 2: Getting in the Water
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
Becoming a Sailor, Part 3: Learning to Shoot
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
Becoming a Sailor, Part 4: Get Fit or go home
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
Becoming a Sailor, Part 5: The Gas Chamber
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
Becoming a Sailor, Part 6: Every Sailor a Firefighter
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
Becoming a Sailor, Part 7: Battle Stations
• Becoming a Sailor, Par...
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I went in the Navy when I was 20 years old and didn’t know how to swim. When I joined in 1971, I couldn’t pass the initial swim test they put me in a group of other “Non swims” for a week of lessons. What I learned in Navy survival swimming saved my life in Hawaii. If not for that I would’ve died. Thank You U.S. Navy.
Thank you for your service I’m joined the Navy I’m shipping out June 12th, 2024 after high school.
@@pimppanda3165 Just finished bootcamp Jan 18th 2024, youll have a good time. Just remember why you joined when the hard days come by.
Good luck I'm sure you'll do great! I wish I would encourage more people to get higher scores on their ASVAB so they can get higher ranked after boot camp and privileges when you get into boot camp. I even got privileges in the van going to the airport and on the plane, they put me in charge of people I was like I'm literally 19 years old why are you putting me in charge of anyone? I hope you have a good time and don't forget to make some friends along the way! @@pimppanda3165
If anyone is worried about swim qual, yall don’t worry and always give it your 110%. I came in without knowing how to swim, the instructors are professional and will set you up for success. Do what you’re told and always willing to try. Avoid the setback from your division. That’s what happened to me. Yall got this. Hooyah DIV 156!!!
160!!😎😉👍
Yep I literally met so many people in my division that were in the swim class until like the last week of boot camp and then they passed. I was in the running class until almost the last week of boot camp and then I pass, then they figured out that I just don't have good endurance and after boot camp they just had me do the swim test instead of the running test which I pass with flying colors! The Navy is always willing to work with you You just have to speak up and tell them when there's a problem and don't be afraid. There is no one there teaching or instructing that hasn't been in your shoes before and if they're not arrogant like most of them, you can get them behind closed doors and cry and scream or whatever to let them know how you feel. I'm only saying that because I've done it before.
If you think Chief Anderson’s voice is funny get ready for the loads of Filipino and Nigerian RDCs that basically talk in a different language. At least you can understand her!
Also I failed the crap out of swim the first time and they taught me how to swim in 30 whole minutes and I passed. No one ever gets sent home for not passing swim you will learn eventually (but the more time you take to learn it the harder everything else will become. Like the retired SEAL said, practice before you get there!)
@Bruce Leroy I knew how to swim before I went in. What people don't commonly know how to do is drop off of a platform, then swim while getting yelled at as soon as your head surfaces. I failed, too. It was like my brain shut off when I hit the water.
I was scared I might be sent home for failing the swim test but thanks for the reassurance!
The initial swim is fairly easy. Some people who haven't done much swimming tend to over think it.
@snipe69 Thank you for this
Shade Canfield i’m anxious!,
I remember this instructor i never knew she was a chief what i can say that she is one of the best there and she help me because i had trouble swimming
Shes not a CPO.
You have trouble with punctuation too. Maybe she can help you with that.
Allan 112358 that makes zero sense to anything I said.
Allan 112358 lol ok psycho
No disrespect intended, but I find the idea of someone joining the Navy without knowing how to swim amusingly ironic 😁
I didn’t know how to but I still passed 🤷🏽♂️
Markus Andrew right here
One of my duty station was shore duty in 1976 at Naval Facility Cape Hatteras which was closed in 1982. The Facilty was just yards from the Atlantic ocean. In the Summer a lot of us spent time on the beach or swimming in the ocean. One Sailor I knew had joined me on the beach, but wouldn't go in the water. He told me he couldn't swim. After I got my jaw closed at his statement; I asked him how did he get thru boot being a "rock" at swim class. He really didn't give me an answer; so I taught him how to swim that day. To this day I don't know how that guy graduated bootcamp.
@@marksark1119 Thanks for the story 😄 Yeah, you have to wonder how he passed... Good on you for teaching him later though!
I was at San Diego in 1978. All you had to do then was float for 5 minutes.
I’ve been in on the USA swim team, and I’ve been swimming for 6 almost 7 years. I’m wanting to do coast guard rescue swimmer.
Do it man! You’ll regret it if you don’t :)
Do it Don't wait live life with no regrets
Will 😐
Go for it man!!
GO FOR IT!
Trust me guys the swim isn’t bad once u catch on to the tips they teach u and actually give 110% every time u go. I passed round bout my 7th week , it just takes time and patience to get it but it’s not hard once u do trust me guys. I just graduated October 26th . If I can do going in not knowing how to swim u can too guys. Hooyah ⚓️
Lmao @ Chief Anderson’s voice. I’d be trying so hard to hold in my laugh if I had her. 😂
That is just plain ignorant!
She should voice cartoons
@@jjrod33 boy are you arrogant
You know something people! The Chief has proudly served our country and all you ignorant people pointing out something different about someone who deserves respect for the job she does can go to hell!!!SMH
She's now a senior chief, just graduated a few days ago
Maggie from The Simpsons I knew I recognized that voice
Fascinating info about using the coveralls and float. Plus I would be happy to make that CPO proud of my swimming abilities 😊
Havent been in a pool in years, and unfortunately none of the local pools near me are open. Wish me luck when I leave the 21st May 19 lol
Mike good luck
oh man.. i just hope you enjoy nothing but water for months at a time brotha
@@adamgavz lmao ikr
@@kjmigues8232 thanks!
good luck and have fun, the Nav is a Great life....U.S.N. Ret
The water stuff changed a lot since I went to boot camp in Great Mistakes.I went at the end of May 1978 and graduated 8 weeks later. Looks much better now. All I had to do was swim 50m and tread water, then use dungarees to make a floatation device. There was no tower, or life raft. And the buildings all look a lot different too. Then there is ship where you do a long evolution that I did not do.
i was in boot camp when chief anderson was a first class or second class. she was the instructor for the fire fighting course and swimming i think
I remember this, it was fun, but cold. When they told us the room was only 70 something degrees i was like bruh what I'm shivering lol. The funnest part was jumping off and swimming from one end to the other lol. I failed the 5 minute floating the first time cause i didn't have the technique down but the instructor showed us how easy it was, told us to walk 5 paces forward and notice how our arms and legs move and that it was just like walking but facing the ceiling. After this we all got it down. She was kind to take that extra step to teach us instead of failing us.
I’m so nervous for bootcamp, now. I just really don’t wanna fail.
Are you shipping already
They do everything they can so that you don't fail. Even if that means focusing you to do better.
Had a fear of drowning and being in water ever since I was a kid. Failed to pass the swim 5 times and suddenly on my 6th try it clicked. BM1 Scheref I thank you very much for teaching me how to swim and how to stay calm in water.
That chick sounds like a cartoon character
My Son went through that course, he said she was one of the best trainers there. So, how about you lighten up.
@@WootTootZoot dude you lighten up 😂🥳 it's RUclips and you will have comments and trolls ..... if that rubs you from behind then I would stay off the screen ....
I just made the same comment and scrolled down and saw this lmao
With all due respect, Chief Anderson does sound like she took a really big hit of helium.
Wrong career perhaps?
I see they've added a few steps to the swimming requirements. When I did it in 2012 I only had to do up to the coverall step, we didn't have to do the life-raft portion.
I knew how to swim... I wasn't worried! HOWEVER, I lost about 15 lbs before the swim test (it was towards the end of basic at that time) and I didn't realize that I didn't float as well as I used to! I stepped off the platform, sunk and stayed there! I was used to bobbing back up like a cork... I had to actually work to get back to the surface, but that was the only problem I had thankfully!
It was different in the 80s when I did it. We did it fully clothed with our pant legs tucked in our socks. Looks like everything wasn’t as thorough when I did it, and training has improved a lot.
Yeah I was in the Navy too in the 80s. I thought I'd remember being in uniform and boondocks.
My son is on week one of boot camp. I know he’s got this !!!! ⚓️
It’s_patt _patt did he make it?
One of the few things at in Basic Training, i was good at I being from South Florida and being in pools and the Beach helped
Richard Lorith I was about to say, from Florida as well, we have no reason not to pass first time. Sometimes I take swimming for granted lmao
How tempted were you to do an flip off the 10 ft diving board, just kidding mann how everything going I ship Oct 9th
Chief Anderson's voice is glorious. 😁
Had a miracle in that water🙌🏾
I was the fastest swimmer in my coed division. I was also the first person to jump from the tower. I swam competitively growing up.
I ship september 12th, 2019. I am ready for these 9 weeks. I'm in the best shape of my life completing a 1.5 mile run in under 9:30, I'm informed of what will happen there, now I just need the experience at bootcamp to transform into a sailor. My rate at the moment is HT although I hope to get my job changed to MA, or GM so I can leave sooner. Hooyah navy!
Good luck to you! Boot camp is easy just keep pushin forward get comfortably uncomfortable n work as a team! Also MA school is gonna be fun oc is not that bad its gonna go by fast!
Damn 9:30 1.5 mile lmao you’ll be leading the RDCs. Go spec ops
@@XxSiLvAxXx unfortunately I was medically discharged from bootcamp. I was A-ROC in my division..but endured an injury and was unfit to serve..it broke my heart when it happened..I was 2 weeks away from graduation.
Cody No Belt Garbrandt P4P #1 that sucks man sounded like you had outstanding PRT numbers
@@XxSiLvAxXx yeah but what can you do? I was on 5.4 (5 tac 4) of training too...trying to joint the local police academy now but the corona virus has put a stint in that
I’m Enlisting in the US Navy after I graduate this year in the NJROTC Program, I already contacted my recruiter, Ive just turned 17 last month, I’m choosing my job as a Gunners Mates Riverine Machine Gunner, I see that the Navy is stereotyped these days that the Navy is less about war fighting that the Navy is all about Boat water engineers, and it has basically been like that 15 years after the last World War&Korean War, which is not true there are jobs like Navy Seals, Combat Pilot, Missile&Rocket Technicians, Gunners Mates, Riverines, Combat Medic Corpsman, and much more etc etc.
Chief Anderson sounds like one of the munchkins on the Wizard of Oz
Lol these swim instructors look so chill. Swim week at MCRD the instructors were screaming at you talking about how if you started drowning they wouldn’t help you and if they saw some people bobbing in and out of the water trying to swim they would literally laugh lol
You Drown You Die that's what you signed up for 🤣🤣
We did the floating with our face up laid back for 5 minutes. Then put air 3 times in blue coveralls and finally Abandoned ship which was very easy.
I was swimming teacher already, I know how to swimming very well. On the day of my test, a guy start to drown near me and grab my neck and pull me down. No RDC saw that, I needed to control (basically fight the guy) under the water and direct him to the border.
When I did that, the RDC said "you 2 out!" (Now he saw me)
I needed to tell what happened and he let me continue, but I burned all my stamina fighting to control the guy.
In the end I was approved, but I swam the whole pool just with the will power, because the stamina it was completely consumed.
Me too, love it, we get wet here, we are the Navy.
That one chiefs gotta real squeaky voice, sounds like a cross between Minnie Mouse and woody woodpecker
Incredible i love it!
So does marching party and short tour still exist, or did they get removed from the punishments... Or was that just at the old san diego recruit center?
I went to boot camp back in 2013 but I swore the dive height was higher than that
In 1977 at Great Lakes, all I had to do is float for 5 minutes. Also jump off the tower and figure out how to get to the surface. I expected to float right up but that did not happen. And nobody seemed to be around to fish me out. I sill can't swim. But the odds that a hole snipe would ever get off the ship if sinking is pretty remote. I was a MM than retrained as GSM.
I've been practicing my whole life trying to float in water motionless, and it's just not happening. That's not a disqualification by itself is it?
My deceased father was lucky enough to learn swimming in high school before ever entering the navy. It paid handsomely.
Alan Strong My father grew up on boats and summered at Jones beach, so when he enlisted in 1947, he was good to go. He served on USS St Paul, then in US until 1963.
wait one when I went thru RTC San Diego CO 949 1985 life jacket was not part of the training. Your white hat dungarees was your floatation devises.
I’m bummed they didn’t require the abandon ship drill when I went through
They didn't have it for us either.
It was so crazy that many people didn't know how to swim in the Navy.
Who remembers the old "Welcome Aboard" video where the recruit does a splash into the pool instead of going in straight with your arms folded?
Oh alright I got the swimming on lock down
When I did this at Great Lakes Ill. Company 902 January 1965, we were told to take off everything (no swimsuit), after a quick walkthrough shower, we lined up (nuts to butts) buck naked in a 45-degree indoor swimming pool. We went to the top of that 10' platform, crossed our arms across our chests and stepped out into the pool. If you could swim, you swam around for a minute to the ladder and got out. If you couldn't swim, you were poked with a long aluminum pole and a petty officer screamed and cursed at you to swim.. You then were an NQS and had to go to swimming classes, till you learned how to swim. Navy boot camp in the 60's was during the mandatory draft and a little like the Full Metal Jacket movie, you were cursed at, insulted and slapped around. Todays Navy is a lot more gentle. RM1 Kenneth Gottschalk USNR (ret)
Kenneth Gottschalk My Dad went in 1947. He also recalls jumping off the high dive butt naked. Once you put a foot on the ladder, you went up. The only way down was through the air into the pool. Those who didn’t go voluntarily got pushed off. You supposed to put one hand around “the family jewels” and the across your chest below your heart. Nobody wore a PFD. Once you hit the water, you swam underneath a certain distance, then surfaced while swirling your arms over your head, took in a good breath, and went down again, swam some more, repeat until you reached the opposite side of the pool. This was to practice abandoning ship with floating fuel on fire on top of the water...as if at Pearl Harbor. Nobody went on until this was mastered. If not, you repeated until you passed. The test was offered from the second day on. Guys who couldn’t swim had to take lessons before or after hours. Fortunately, my Dad grew up on boats and at Jones Beach every summer. He passed on his second try, first week. Also, fortunately, he never had to abandon ship into a flaming sea, although his ship was hit in Korean conflict, USS St Paul. I think it was generally tougher back then because people were tougher. You had to be. If you were a wimp, you wouldn’t make it in life, much less the military!
Lol
Coeducational training...seems very strange to me now (I was USN '70-'74), but I guess it's the new Navy where we have both male and female personnel doing the same jobs, and aboard ships. I don't know if the precursory bootcamp abuse is at the same level, but it was certainly fun and games when I went through it! Being "nice" to a recruit does NOT work...they need to be scared and understand the teamwork and reward aspects.
That about jumping off ship into the water and mind over matter if you can get halfway down you can go the other half
I remember those days!
What happened to the 10 meter platform?
I do not remeber abandon ship but I did boot almost 15 years ago
Lol when I did this test, I got so much water in my ears I couldn't hear them even when they were screaming at me
how was bootcamp? was it hard?
12- 7- 77 rtc orlando ...Pool training..Watching a few guys sink like a rock ..They were called rocks...lol..
This was an easy day for me
I miss it...wish I can do it all over again
After the intial lap for the swim test I was yanked off the ladder by our PO3 and was voluntold to get back in line and go for first class. Then was pushed to the front of the line by our chief, he said, "do it now, you're not tired enough." CPO Norton and PO3 Nelson
37 years ago today was my P1 day at Great Lakes.
God swimming is my thing lol 😂 I grew doing competitive swimming (that’s one reason I want to join navy just because the swimming part)
If you are that good, maybe try out to be a navy seal
Is it me, or is the tower way shorter in height than it use to be?
Going to MEPS tomorrow to join the navy
Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare myself to keep my eyes open under water? I can swim above water but under water I usually have Goggles or my eyes are shut because everything is blurry when they are open.
Force your eyes open. The pool water there does not hurt your eyes.
In 1968, we didn't wear life jackets. Sink or swim is what I recall. If you grabbed the side of the pool, you'd be pummeled with basketballs. But be assured, they won't let you drown.
My son is there now training.
Oh wow, they made the jump shorter. Was 20ft up!
I hated the first time I jumped, I almost drowned, I was stressed and scared. I had to do the fking abandoned ship twice.
This video helped me so much my big bro is going to the navy and I will miss him so much I am scared for him can y’all help me more?
help with swimming or dealing with him being gone?
This social media generation lucky at least you know what you're in for
Love Navy
Wtf… when I did this I had to go in full uni boots and all, tread for 5 them swim the length. No life jacket… what I’m watching here is crazy
Dont really get how jumping off a diving board would cause panic thats how i learned in the first place
Most people haven't, especially inner city kids. Most get terrified more from the water, there were many kids refusing to jump when I went through
What music is this?
If you DON'T know how to swim you shouldn't even ATTEMPT to join basic training in ANY service. Fortunately for me I could swim 50 meters when I was 8 years old. I never joined the US Military but come on folks. The Navy LIVES on the water, so does the Coast Guard.
No just navy and marines. Dont be commenting shit if u havent joined. Shutcho ass up kid
Okay but I got glasses so...can't see without em. Can I do anything?
Yes they will issue you a strap for your glasses
Wait where were the life jackets at when I went???? 🤦🏽♀️
That pool makes everyone sick honestly if you didn’t get the recruit crude before it you got it then
I taught myself how to swim so it would be a bit sloppy
I was going to comment on Amanda's voice but she already has enough people harping on her. I am curious as to what tattoo she could possibly have on her arm?
why do they use glasses are they not allowed to wear contacts?
What happens if you get swimmers ear?
Man that would suck. I had a bad case of it back in 1995. It was caused by flushing my ear with too much water/force. It was a miserable 10 days or so.
When my Dad went to the Naval Academy, he said that half his class didn't know how to swim initially.
Life jackets? When I did that at Great Lakes there wasn't a life jacket in sight. Jump in, swin two hundred yards, tread water for fifteen minutes, then remove your pants, while in the water, and turn them into a life jacket.
That's the truth Nov1996-Jan1997 boot camp at Great Mistake lol
Imagine having that Chief at your DRB ....
we didnt do the life raft
Seems like I remember you're supposed to cross your arms tightly on your chest; the inside hand grabs your nose and the pinky of that hand goes under your chin. You're also supposed to hold your head up and cross your legs at the ankle. None of these recruits is doing it correctly. Both those guys at 0:40 are totally out of control.
We had guys jump in the pool and sink like a rock..They were named rocks..
I wonder if they still have to straddle walk that hot water rail? with that boiling hot water scalding your nut sac before you can get in the water? lmao!
1-1 I remember that because it was 1 month ago
9 ft that's it. I've done 15ft. Look up videos of people doing cliff diving. Were talking 25 to 30 ft. Ima ask the di if I can do a flip
Same but well probably get yelled at and I don't need negative attention my way lol
Mane how Df Im I suppose to learn to swim when the pools out closed 💀
lay on the ground and swim float 😂😭
We wore no life jackets and swam the length of the pool, up and back. Prior to that, we walked off the board and tread water for 10 minutes. Anyone can swim with a life jacket on. 😅
I was in the Army and there is no clean water, it's all mud and more mud.
Yeah navy is nice, it's the middle ground mix between air force and marines. We get some luxury for the most part an sometimes not so much. But air force is pampered haha I've seen my friends.
I went to RTC in 1995 and all I remember is no other black person knew how to swim and they were literally drowning but I didn't have time to think about that I was doing my own thing and trying to do the search and rescue swimmer test even though I didn't even want to do the program, I just wanted it to look good on my papers when I went through boot camp. I'm telling you having that on my papers and having people read that when I had to deal with anybody and boot camp elevated me a bit. After that I did encourage other black people to learn how to swim and to take the swimming lessons but where and I went they don't teach you swimming beforehand they throw you in the pool whether you learn know how to swim or not and that's when I saw all the people drowning but what they said was they would never let anybody drown which was fair everybody survived but I just saw everybody just sinked to the bottom and I think I was one of the very few people that floated to the top or swam to the top. I should probably do a lot more things for military women and black women as what I learned later was that people from the south generally don't know how to swim because we got here on boats which is mind-boggling because it wouldn't that be the reason you want to learn to swim? My mother didn't know how to swim but we had a house with a pool and she made sure we all learn how to swim at a very early age, I have memories of being 3 years old and swimming like a duck in the pool. After we all learn how to swim our parents never bard us from going to the pool or lake by ourselves.
If I didn’t love the water I think I would join either the army or the Air Force
the bathrooms were soo nasty. we were like 30 dudes lined up to take a dump and it smelled awful. you just gotta pray you don’t drop anything important on the moldy shower floors.
Im looking like i didnt have a life vest on 😂😂😂😂
Life raft? I never did that shit!! Nor did i have a vest
Why would you join the Navy and NOT know how to swim or be comfortable in the water.
Why do I remember that platform being much higher then 9ft? I went through in 2005.
I'm about as buoyant as a hammer and can barely even tread. Rules out the Navy for me.
I am not gonna lie. I was not expecting her to have that high pitch voice lmao
Soft so soft nowdays. I recall jumping off the tower swim the 50 yd's BTW don't do it underwater they get pissed , then float , tread water then get out .
Lmao I don’t know how I passed the swim test cause till this day I still don’t know how to swim