Recruits face many challenges during their 13 weeks on the recruit depot, but swim week is especially challenging for recruits who don’t know how to swim.

Watch the Marine Corps recruiting video above for a true story of a Marine Drill Instructor who faced his greatest challenge at the pool when he was in boot camp.

Training in combat water survival develops a recruit's confidence in the water.

Recruits receive basic water survival training at the indoor pool, which is safely conducted by specially-trained instructors.

All recruits must pass the minimum requirement level of Combat Water Survival-4 (CWS-4), which requires recruits to perform a variety of water survival and swimming techniques. If a recruit meets the CWS-4 requirements, he/she may upgrade to a higher level.

All recruits train in the camouflage utility uniform, but those upgrading may be required to train in full combat gear, which includes a rifle, helmet, flak jacket and pack.

Above information found on the Parris Island web site, July, 2009.

To learn more, visit the Parris Island web site by using the link below:

Combat Water Survival

Read an article about Combat Water Survival Training - from the May 9, 2008 issue of Chevron. Click here for PDF.