Lava Dogs 'Feel Fine' at swim quals for coxswain's course

[thedrifter]

Lava Dogs 'Feel Fine' at swim quals for coxswain's course
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 200431919423
Story by Lance cpl. Rich Mattingly



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay(March 19. 2004) --
Hold your head back, cross your arms and step off," instructed the calm, green-shirted Marine Corps Combat Water Survival qualified instructor to the already soaked Marine standing at the edge of the diving board. "When you hit the water, you know what to yell."

After his splash into the clear, blue water had settled from the plunge, a fully uniformed, high-and-tight groomed Marine bobbed to the surface with a loud and motivated, "I feel fine!"

The Marines taking the plunge were infantrymen from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and they each wanted to qualify to enter training for the coxswain and maritime navigator courses. Before they could take the helm of the F470 Zodiac boats that Marines often use for tactical insertions and reconnaissance, however, the 1/3 Marines - as Marines always do - needed to train.

Bravo Marines participated in an abbreviated swim qualification, which consisted of jumping from the diving board, treading water and swimming down the length of the pool - all while weighed down by the standard swim qual training gear of boots and cammies.

"The swim qual that we do here is just the first step in their training," said Gunnery Sgt. Richard Perron, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Amphibious Raid Branch of the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific. "The training they go through here today will determine whether or not the Marines can go on to train in the coxswain and navigator courses. It's an abbreviated swim qual just to make sure that they are at least third-class swim qualified."

The positions of coxswain and navigator on the Zodiac boats are pivotal. The coxswain sits in the stern, or the rear of the craft, and is responsible for control of the boat and the actions of the crew. The coxswain supervises loading and lashing, as well as the distribution of equipment, and also maintains the course and speed of the boat and gives all commands.

The navigator, on the other hand, sits in the bow, or front of the boat, and assists the coxswain with the mission by providing course and navigation information to the coxswain.

Now that all of the Bravo, 1/3, Marines have passed their abbreviated swim qualification, they can look forward to graduation from their coxswain and navigator courses on April 2.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2...AC?opendocument

Ellie