While you do not need to be an expert swimmer to join the Navy, you must demonstrate basic water survival skills before graduating from boot camp. The Navy’s standard focuses on the ability to stay afloat and survive in open water long enough to be rescued, not on competitive swimming proficiency. This mandatory water survival training is a foundational requirement for all personnel entering the service.
The Navy’s Official Entry Standard
The Navy does not require recruits to possess a specific swimming qualification at the time of signing their contract for enlistment. The official policy understands that many applicants may not have extensive swimming experience before they enter basic training. Recruits are expected to be physically ready to undergo the mandatory water survival instruction integrated into the boot camp curriculum. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every sailor can survive a man-overboard situation or an emergency at sea.
The minimum standard that all Navy personnel must achieve is the Third Class Swimmer qualification, which must be passed before graduation. Individuals who are weak swimmers or who cannot swim at all are provided with remedial training and instruction upon arrival. Recruits are given multiple opportunities to pass the qualification, though failure to do so can delay their progress or potentially lead to separation from the Navy.
The Mandatory Third Class Swim Qualification
All recruits must pass the Third Class Swimmer qualification (WST-3) during basic training. This test is designed to assess a person’s ability to survive in a maritime environment without a flotation device. The qualification determines if a person can stay afloat and survive long enough for a rescue to be mounted.
The Jump and Submerge
The first component requires the recruit to perform a deep-water jump from a platform. The recruit must enter the water with their arms crossed over their chest and then quickly resurface from the deep water without assistance. This step simulates an unexpected entry into the water, such as falling from a ship’s deck. The ability to control the body and rise to the surface without panicking is the primary focus.
The Prone Float
Immediately following the jump and surfacing, the recruit must complete a five-minute prone float. This test demonstrates the sailor’s ability to conserve energy and maintain buoyancy in the water. During the float, the individual must remain face down, only lifting their head to take a single breath before returning to the prone position. The goal is to maximize rest while remaining afloat, minimizing movement of the arms and legs.
Swim Distance Requirement
The third part of the qualification is a fifty-yard swim, which can be completed using any stroke or combination of strokes. This distance is intended to show basic water locomotion capability. The swimmer must complete the entire distance without stopping, standing, or holding onto the side of the pool. Acceptable methods often include the crawl stroke, breaststroke, sidestroke, or elementary backstroke, as long as the recruit maintains forward progress.
Clothing Inflation
The qualification requires the recruit to use their uniform as a makeshift flotation device. The sailor must remove their shirt and trousers and demonstrate the ability to inflate them while remaining afloat in deep water. The inflated clothing provides additional buoyancy, greatly increasing the time a person can remain on the surface awaiting rescue.
Why Water Survival Skills Are Essential
Navy personnel operate aboard ships and aircraft over the world’s oceans, creating a constant risk of accidental or emergency water entry. A basic level of water confidence and survival skill is a necessary safety measure for every sailor.
The Third Class standard directly addresses common maritime hazards, such as a man-overboard incident or a ship abandonment scenario. Knowing how to float, conserve energy, and use basic materials for buoyancy can be the difference between a successful rescue and a tragic outcome. Water survival is integrated into training because it is a fundamental safety requirement tied to the nature of service at sea.
Specialized Ratings and Programs with Higher Requirements
While the Third Class Swimmer qualification is the baseline for all Navy personnel, certain specialized roles require a much higher degree of water proficiency. These demanding positions require the more difficult Second Class Swimmer qualification or even higher standards of performance. The Second Class qualification is a prerequisite for roles such as small boat operators, Naval aircrew, and Aviation Rescue Swimmers.
The Second Class Swim Test involves a deep-water jump followed by a 100-yard swim. The swim must demonstrate proficiency in four different strokes:
- The crawl stroke
- The breaststroke
- The sidestroke
- The elementary backstroke
Immediately after the swim, the candidate must perform a five-minute prone float and successfully transition to a back float before exiting. This standard proves the ability to survive indefinitely in open water, which is required for personnel involved in rescue or maritime operations.
Programs like Naval Special Warfare, including SEAL and SWCC candidates, require an even more rigorous Physical Screening Test (PST). The swimming portion of the PST includes a timed 500-yard swim completed using only the breaststroke or sidestroke. For Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) candidates, the PST requires a 500-yard swim completed in a maximum of 12 minutes. These specialized roles demand advanced swimming ability as a core operational skill, far exceeding the basic survival standard.
Tips for Prospective Recruits
Starting swim lessons or practicing basic strokes is the most effective way to reduce the stress of the mandatory water survival training. Becoming comfortable with simply floating and breathing in the water can provide a significant advantage.
Practicing the elementary backstroke and the prone float technique can help build the necessary muscle memory and confidence for the official qualification events. Weak swimmers should remain calm in the water and avoid panicking, as fear expends energy and reduces buoyancy. Recruits who enter training with some degree of water comfort are better positioned to pass the Third Class Swimmer qualification without delays.