RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (July 20, 2009) -- The Marines of Bravo stick took to the pool Monday for the combat water survival portion of Southern Exchange 2009 (SE09) at the Governor's Island Naval Complex here.
Comprised of 10 sticks, or groups, named Alpha stick through Juliet, the Marines from all seven participating countries’ were trained together in a two-week long, round-robin type training covering aspects used in operational security operations, peacekeeping operations and disaster relief missions.
The combat water survival class, which was taught by Colombian Marine Corps' instructors, covered basic swimming techniques, as well as, tactical ways to stay afloat while remaining combat ready.
“The main goal of the class is to make sure everyone’s proficient at water survival,” said Lance Cpl. Austin Durham, a mortarman the 24th Marine Reserves, acting lifeguard class demonstrator. “We focus on proper techniques for staying afloat and swimming.”
For some, this was a refresher course on combat water survival, whereas for some countries’ Marines, this was the first time qualifying in the water.
Starting with the basics and progressing to higher skill levels, the Marines started with the basics of treading water and then moved onto swimming with a full combat load, ending the day with simulated jumps into the water and learning to use their gear to stay afloat while remaining combat ready.
"The Marines here covered the first two levels of Colombian swim qualification,” said Mejia Lopez Alvaro, the head instructor of the combat water survival course. “There are five total.” Alvaro went on to describe the last three, which are security swimming, swim instructor, and instructor trainer.”
While all the Marines passed the first two qualifications, one could tell the differences in their swimming techniques as well as past teachings among the various countries’ representatives.
“Brazilian and Argentina Marines display a similarity in the way (the Colombians) swim,” said Alvaro “That is why it is very important to teach the other countries as well as learn from them. The future objective is to eventually have all the South American countries qualify the same.”
While the purpose of this multi-national combined exercise is to learn from each other, the parallel goal of overall safety and combat readiness while in the water is just as important. By training together, every country’s Marines will get to the point where, “It will not be necessary to take a life vest when you have your standard gear,” as said by Gomez V. Alexander, the assistant class instructor.
After spending the morning treading water, every Marine, no matter what their swim skill level they were at, passed the first two levels of the Colombian Marine Corps' swim qualifications as one unit.