An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  

Conquering Fears; a Foundation for Water Survival

22 November 2016

From Staff Sgt. Carlos Davis

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- One by one Soldiers ground their gear and step to the edge of the pool; many of them will jump in to be submerged and surrounded by their biggest fear.

As the night rain fall turns into a mist and the sun begins to rise over the mountains; Soldiers, assigned to Company A, 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, participate in water survival training at Richardson Swimming Pool, here, on Schofield Barracks.

"Soldiers can find themselves in a very sticky situation and water survival is one of those perishable skills that we as the Army fail to incorporate as an annual requirement," said 1st Sgt. Darryl Dotson, the senior enlisted advisor for A Co., 225th BSB. "Accomplishing their fear is the most important and will help Soldiers survive in the event they find themselves in a real world situation."

According to Dotson, this training is vital in making his company a combat ready team for the Warrior Brigade and throughout the Pacific Command area of responsibility.

"The Soldiers who completed the training today will be ready for any operation that will be around or near water," he said. They will have the skills to survive in water-based off the training they received today.

The water survival training was instructed by Marine water survival instructors, assigned to 3rd Marine Corps Regiment, from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

According to Sgt. Thomas Adams, a satellite operator and one of the Marine water survival instructors, this training provides a good foundation for a lot of the Soldiers.

"The training was provided by the Marines; we were required to swim 25 meters using different swimming techniques of our choosing, tread water for 10 minutes using either the doggy paddle, standing or on our back, and finally we had to jump from the high dive platform and swim back to the deck area," said Dotson.

For one Soldier, this training was a step above regular grind of physical fitness training he conduct on a regular basis.

"This was pretty demanding," Spc. Roberto Oliver, a petroleum supply specialist and a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico. "Trying to stay in a pool and tread water for five minutes, then getting out of the pool to conduct down and ups, then swimming 25 meters and getting out and doing 15 push-ups, then swimming back 25 meters was really challenging. I wish there were more realistic training from week to week like this and I cannot wait until the next level of training with the Marines."

As the training concluded the Soldiers were able to build a foundation to overcome their fear of water.

"Watching my Soldiers overcome their fear of water is a big accomplishment," said Dotson. "They attempted and completed all phases of the training; while going above and beyond all expectations."
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes
March 20, 2025 - CAMP HUMPHREYS, PYEONGTAEK, South Korea — The United States and the Republic of Korea today concluded Exercise Freedom Shield 25, enhancing combined readiness, strengthening the Alliance’s defense posture, and demonstrating...

U.S. Marines and Singapore Guards Begin the 27th Iteration of Exercise Valiant Mark in Singapore
U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 25 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability, build mutual defense capabilities, and strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and Singapore Armed Forces. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)
March 20, 2025 - SINGAPORE — U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) began Exercise Valiant Mark 2025, alongside the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards (3 GDS) and 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB), in a ceremony...

Cobra Gold 2025: How PMTEC Shapes Future Operations Through Collaborative Training
An Outlaw G2 MQM 170C target drone, an asset of U.S. Army Threat Systems Management Office and U.S. civilian contractors, Griffon Aerospace, is prepared a to launch for a simulated maritime strike at the Hat Yao Training Camp during exercise Cobra Gold, March 4. Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia taking place from Feb. 26 – Mar. 8, 2025. The maritime strike simulation showcases the strength and coordination of joint forces and demonstrates advanced missile capabilities. Cobra Gold highlights the strong partnership between Thailand and the United States while strengthening interoperability and enhancing readiness through field exercises, disaster simulations and humanitarian projects with allied and partnered nations and civilian agencies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Victoria Granado)
March 20, 2025 - BANGKOK – U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s J7's Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) facilitated seamless interagency cooperation during Cobra Gold 25, held in Thailand from February 25-March 7...

Republic of Korea, Japan, and the U.S. Conduct Trilateral Naval Exercise
The U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted a trilateral naval exercise, 17-20 March, 2025.
March 20, 2025 - AT SEA – The U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted a trilateral naval exercise, 17-20 March, 2025...

Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Travels to India, Attends Raisina Dialogue
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, speaks at a U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum event in New Delhi, March 17, 2025. Paparo visited New Delhi to meet with regional partners and to discuss collaborative approaches to security challenges at the Raisina Dialogue. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)
March 20, 2025 - NEW DELHI — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited India to advance the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and participate in the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, March...
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon