The question of whether all sailors must know how to swim is a common concern for new recruits entering the service. Basic swimming proficiency is a mandatory requirement for every individual who joins the Navy, regardless of their eventual job assignment. The environment of a sea-going service necessitates a fundamental ability to survive in the water. The Navy provides comprehensive instruction and training to ensure every recruit meets this baseline safety standard.
The Core Requirement for All Recruits
All recruits must earn the Third Class Swimmer Qualification during Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes. This is the minimum water survival standard required for every sailor, regardless of rating. The qualification assesses a recruit’s ability to survive in open water long enough to be rescued without a personal flotation device. The test is a multi-part assessment of water competency. It begins with a deep-water jump from a 10-foot tower platform, simulating an abandon-ship scenario. After surfacing, the recruit must complete a continuous 50-yard swim using any stroke. The final component requires the recruit to maintain a five-minute prone float, or “dead man’s float,” to prove they can conserve energy.
What Happens If You Cannot Swim
Recruits who arrive at boot camp unable to swim or who fail the initial assessment are not immediately separated from the service. The Navy has a structured remedial process in place to train recruits to meet the standard. These individuals are assigned to remedial swim training, often referred to as “swim strokes,” conducted by certified water survival instructors. This training is intensive, providing specialized instruction to overcome fear of the water and learn necessary techniques. Remedial training is incorporated into the demanding boot camp schedule, often requiring recruits to spend their limited free time at the pool. Recruits are typically recycled or held back for up to three weeks to allow sufficient time to achieve the Third Class Swimmer qualification. Failure to pass the test after multiple attempts and the full remedial training period results in separation from the Navy.
Mandatory Water Survival Skills Taught in Boot Camp
Beyond the basic 50-yard swim, the Navy focuses on practical water survival techniques foundational for safety at sea. The initial 10-foot tower jump is a practical exercise in managing the impact and disorientation of a sudden entry into deep water, preparing recruits for abandoning a ship at height. Another skill taught is the ability to use clothing for buoyancy, which is tested during the qualification. Recruits must successfully remove their trousers or shirt and inflate them to create a makeshift flotation device while treading water. The five-minute prone float teaches individuals how to rest and conserve energy while fully clothed in the water. These techniques instill confidence and provide practical methods for self-rescue until professional help arrives.
Specialized Swimming Requirements for Specific Ratings
Certain operational ratings require water competence far exceeding the basic boot camp standard, demanding a higher level of physical performance and specialized skill. Entry into elite programs like Navy SEALs, Navy Divers (ND), Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC), and Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRR) is contingent upon passing a rigorous Physical Screening Test (PST). This test establishes a higher bar for water proficiency and overall fitness. The PST for these roles includes a timed 500-yard swim, which must be completed significantly faster than the 50-yard boot camp requirement.
Aviation Rescue Swimmer candidates often aim for a time under eight and a half minutes. Most specialized programs require the use of the sidestroke or breaststroke for efficiency and stealth, rather than the freestyle stroke allowed in basic training. These ratings also include advanced water-based challenges, such as underwater knot tying, extended treading, and long-distance open water swims, which are prerequisites for entry into their demanding training pipelines.