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Marine Combat Water Survival

Combat Water Survival is not only about pushing Marines through swim quals in a controlled pool environment. It is about invoking and applying the survival mindset in any environment on any mission or unforeseen situation that involves water.

More sophisticated activities that require a Marine skilled in water survival include, but are not limited to, surf qualifications, ship takedowns, helo casting, fording, riverine operations, amphibious operations involving boats and/or other small or large water crafts, diving/infiltration ops, open-ocean swims; the possibilites are endless.

There are numerous publications available to the water survival community. The Joint Surf Manual, for example, is a fundamental resource, partially integrated by the Corps into its own water survival program. While considered excessive for rudamentary survival, here are a few questions for the consideration of the water survival community:

How can we effectively advise units on open-water aquatic training if we cannot confidently evaluate surf conditions, wave heights, currents, or wave intervals? Is that a skill set that should be included in the future in water survival courses? Further, can we organize, prepare for, and execute an open-water rescue or underwater search without understanding the effects of continued exposure to salt water, cold, and pressure on human physiology? How about Underwater Egress Training/HABD? Should MCIWS's/MCITWS's be qualified to instruct or assist with such training? Would it even be feasible to incorporate those skills into a MCIWS/MCITWS curriculum? Finally, all these questions lead to a pressing, obvious one: can we not just let someone with another MOS or from another military branch worry about all that?

It should frighten us all in the water survival community to allow anyone to ask that question. Throughout the years, we have seen the requirements for our instructor skills change, in certain instances, as believed by some, diluting the quality and degrading the authority of our MOS. 8563 is our job, our choice, our responsibility. We must take ownership of it and invest every effort into making it the most solid and reliable specialty, by constantly improving it, adding to it, shaping and forming it to perfection. Not for our own gratification, but because Marines' lives depend on our effectiveness.

These are only a few issues this resource page intends to discuss. Certainly, there is not going to be one single clear-cut answer to every question. There may be multiple ideas, solutions, and suggestions, all adding to the extensive yet ever-expanding knowledge base of the water survival community. Only with continued interest, drive, enthusiasm, and determination can we make the changes that will affect water survival training in the Marine Corps, and ultimately, that will bring our Marines back home safely from an accomplished mission.

After all, can water survival have a purpose higher than that?

-Ssgt Elteto

Joint Surf Manual

Developed by the U.S. Navy and used by military and civilians alike around the world as a reference.

U.S. Navy Dive Manual

This link downloads the entire manual in a .zip file format. Over 8MB in size.

U.S. Army Aviation Warfihting Center Water Survival Training

Yes, the Army does water survival. This course trains aircrews in Helicopter Underwater Egress Training. It is far from the "watch-a-video then dunk-with-the-chair" half-day affair we have seen in widespread use. There is a logical progression and organization in the schedule, which of course may be overkill for certain Marine Corps applications, but still, a visit to the school may give us some ideas.

MCIWS Coronado Class 3-02

This Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival course ran in February of 2002. See the class photo and a high-resolution version of it.

One of the most professionally planned, designed, and executed water survival classes. From the complete reviewing of course materials that incorporated the latest changes from the water survival orders to the high-tech and high-safety execution of a thorough training schedule, the course was documented in detail to provide a rare look inside the grueling Combat Water Survival training. This was the first time such event was broadcast live on a computer network. Often used as a reference by Marine Corps commands to learn about Combat Water Safety Swimmer and aquatic training. See the schedule, photos, and the training log.

After being decommissioned, ANGLICO is back in service, training hard, this time in water survival.

Getting orders to Coronado? See the broad variety of courses this amphibious training facility offers, and familiarize yourself with Expeditionary Training Group Pacific.

Got last minute questions about MCIWS or Marine Combat Instructor Trainer of Water Survival (MCITWS) courses held in Coronado? Web sites do not address your concerns? Give the instructors at N823 (Water Survival Section, Troop Training Division, Building 317) a call. For security reasons, the numbers are not listed here, please click on the link to the Command Directory.

Got orders and your command fully funds you? Stay at the Navy Lodge. It is right by the beach at the Naval Air Station, has comfortable and spacious rooms, fresh air, great view, and is just a little over five miles from the school.

Trying to find your way around or just orientating yourself in preparation of the school? Google Maps has the right mp or satellite imagery.

Not too good at reading maps, or just want a better view of how to get around in Coronado? Click on the above link, then once the map loads with the control panel (shown below), click on the little icon with the three skyscrapers on it to see a bird's eye view of the area. The control panel lets you zoom in and out with the slider. The compass can be used to rotate your viewing angle. Click on the map icon to see a flat aerial view or to switch over to street maps. For security reasons, buildings and other objects are not labeled or otherwise specifically identified.