MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- There are many sayings used to describe U.S. Marines. Marines are a force in readiness. Every Marine is a rifleman first.
One that some people feel is overlooked in today’s desert and mountain warfare is Marines are amphibious by nature.
In keeping true with that saying, six station Marines are taking part in a three-week, 15 training day, Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival course at the IronWorks Gym pool here, which started Nov. 3.
Master Sgt. Jason Miller, MCITWS instructor trainer, is the senior instructor of the course here. Miller said the MCIWS course is tougher than a regular Marine swim-qualification course because they are creating Marine instructors during the course.
“There’s no joking (during the course) because we are talking about human lives,” said Miller. “You’re talking about Marines who can be afraid of heights and water (during a swim qualification course). Here, there’s a different level of seriousness.”
Approximately 15 Marines started the course. After the preliminary tests, only six Marines were allowed to continue.
“The course has pretty much a 60- to 70-percent attrition rate,” said Miller. “The course is extremely challenging.”
The training teaches the student Marines the various ways to rescue a conscious or unconscious victim from the water.
Marines also learn how to teach what they’ve learned to someone else.
“In (the regular swimqualification course) Marines learn how to conduct rescues, but the difference between that is an instructor has to be able to (teach) every technique,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bradley J. Goode, an MCIWS instructor. “We have to review that, we have to go through the school and we have to (teach those) individuals so their technique is perfect, so when they’re instructing, they’re instructing the right (way).”
As Marines move forward through their training, they are required to pass a variety of written and physical condition exams.
“We don’t have time to build them up because we only have 15 days,” said Goode. “We get them in shape quick, show them the techniques and they either pass or fail. They either do the techniques right or they fail the course. There’s no in between about it.”
The student Marines are physically and mentally pushed to their limits as they learn the various swimming and lifesaving techniques.
“When I first came to pre-qual, I was like, ‘OK, this is kind of easy,’” said Pfc. Michael Hicks, a MCIWS-course participant. “Once you get the course started, it’s no joke. It’s the real deal. It’s just that much more intense.”
Although tough and intense, the reason for it is not lost on Marines like Hicks.
“As Marines, we are an amphibious assault,” said Hicks. “We need to be not only good on land but on water. We need to be able to help the other armed forces. That’s what the Marine Corps is for. We’re the big dog.”
Miller is slated to leave here soon, which will leave the station without a qualified senior MCITWS-course instructor.
The Marines who graduate will graduate as Marine Corps Combat Instructors of Water Survival and only be able to test other Marines during a regular swim qualification and during an instructor-qualification course.
Plans are still being discussed to qualify another Marine as a senior MCITWS-course instructor.