Swim requirements?

J

jrwork

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We have FINALLY heard from SAs and DS is officially 100% on board for AROTC at our flagship state university with 4-yr scholarship. During the application process for USMA, DS was told that if he didn't pass survival swimming upon arrival, he would be put in a swimming class. DS is NOT a swimmer and likely could not pass a survival swimming test. Should we have him take lessons over the summer? What are the ROTC requirements for this? I think he should go ahead and learn but would love to have someone besides me agree so I have more teeth with him!
 
jrwork said:
We have FINALLY heard from SAs and DS is officially 100% on board for AROTC at our flagship state university with 4-yr scholarship. During the application process for USMA, DS was told that if he didn't pass survival swimming upon arrival, he would be put in a swimming class. DS is NOT a swimmer and likely could not pass a survival swimming test. Should we have him take lessons over the summer? What are the ROTC requirements for this? I think he should go ahead and learn but would love to have someone besides me agree so I have more teeth with him!
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HE will need to get help on this. At VTech Army ROTC jump off 15 foot Diving board blind folded . In their fatigues blind folded with rifle and need to perform some movements and surface.
 
The sooner he gets in the water, gets comfortable, gains skills, the more confidence he will gain. This is a life skill, and starting now will get him over those initial hurdles before it gets painful and uncomfortable if he waits until he starts ROTC.
 
AlwaysAProudParent said:
jrwork said:
We have FINALLY heard from SAs and DS is officially 100% on board for AROTC at our flagship state university with 4-yr scholarship. During the application process for USMA, DS was told that if he didn't pass survival swimming upon arrival, he would be put in a swimming class. DS is NOT a swimmer and likely could not pass a survival swimming test. Should we have him take lessons over the summer? What are the ROTC requirements for this? I think he should go ahead and learn but would love to have someone besides me agree so I have more teeth with him!
Click to expand...
HE will need to get help on this. At VTech Army ROTC jump off 15 foot Diving board blind folded . In their fatigues blind folded with rifle and need to perform some movements and surface.
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Do they start this pretty immediately? Also wondering if possibly he could take classes once he start as well. Definitely going to get him started this summer but wonder if it's something he can continue to work on once on campus.
 
jrwork said:
Do they start this pretty immediately?
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jrwork said:
but wonder if it's something he can continue to work on once on campus.
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The timing of the CWST varies by battalion. At my DS's college, they ran the swim test early in the fall semester. If you don't pass you are given another chance later in the semester. However if you are REALLY bad, they ask you to take the swimming for non-swimmers class. I cannot think of anyone in his battalion who ultimately didn't get through it.

It gets better. Even if you pass, you have to repeat the CWST each year!

Here is a good write up on the CWST.
https://sites.psu.edu/hconwayblog/2018/12/07/surviving-the-combat-survival-water-test/
 
jrwork said:
Thank you! I'm going to send that link to DS.
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Remember that your DS's AROTC scholarship is not contingent on the swim test. However it DOES require a passing grade on the APFT (2-2-2) and a DoDMERB qualification, before any monies are paid out.
 
Back in the day I made some side money coaching guys though the various swim tests - it started with the NROTC unit - I did such a good job the PNS told his buddy the PMS that I could help with the Army program ... I took quite a beating with the marginal swimmers in the army unit ...

very large dudes very scared of the water

Famous last words - it seemed like a good idea ...
 
Capt MJ said:
The sooner he gets in the water, gets comfortable, gains skills, the more confidence he will gain. This is a life skill, and starting now will get him over those initial hurdles before it gets painful and uncomfortable if he waits until he starts ROTC.
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I totally agree with Capt MJ. As a former swim instructor myself, I know how fearful people can be the longer they put off getting into a pool. The best thing would be for him to get comfortable being uncomfortable! He may not like swimming in the end, but if he can get over the hurdle of being uncomfortable in the water he will be better off. After all, swimming is a life-long skill that will serve you well and is one of the only sports you can continue the older you get. Also if I can recall, there may be a part of his future training that also requires him to be submerged in simulated plane situation. And, the higher your swim skill level, the more opportunities may present to you later on. Best of luck and congrats to your DS, he made it this far, the swimming should be the easy part!
 
jrwork said:
Dang, yeah, DS would never pass. Searching for a swim tutor now!!!
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Your local Y may offer a class designed for adult non-swimmers offering basic acclimation to the water, breathing techniques, floating skills, all the foundation basics for water comfort, stroke-building and eventual fun! See example below. These classes understand and recognize it’s not like teaching little kids to swim. It can also be disheartening to see kids 10 years younger swimming and diving like seal pups, and wondering why your brain kinks up at the whole idea.

https://www.ymcachicago.org/lakeview/programs/group-adult-swim-lessons

This is something he should not put off. He will feel so much better when he realizes he is not an “aqua-rock,” can handle moving in the water and be confident he’ll be just fine.
 
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DS took this early fall semester. He made it through (he actually said it was fun?!) but I believe the majority of his fellow cadets failed the first time around. He didn’t do anything special to get ready for the test and he’s an average swimmer.Definitely agree that some swim lessons wouldn’t hurt.
 
It's good to know his scholarship won't be affected if he fails this portion! He is already qualified by DoDMERB and should be fine for the APFT, but he plans to continue training for it (for him, the run is easy, he already maxes out that score, and his last count for pushups and situps, he was close to max, I think). It seems that swimming now is a good idea. His dad, an Army vet, always hated swimming and still does, but he agrees that he needs to get in the pool now. I think DS knows it, too, so I'll push it once track season ends and he has more free time.
 
jrwork said:
AlwaysAProudParent said:
jrwork said:
We have FINALLY heard from SAs and DS is officially 100% on board for AROTC at our flagship state university with 4-yr scholarship. During the application process for USMA, DS was told that if he didn't pass survival swimming upon arrival, he would be put in a swimming class. DS is NOT a swimmer and likely could not pass a survival swimming test. Should we have him take lessons over the summer? What are the ROTC requirements for this? I think he should go ahead and learn but would love to have someone besides me agree so I have more teeth with him!
Click to expand...
HE will need to get help on this. At VTech Army ROTC jump off 15 foot Diving board blind folded . In their fatigues blind folded with rifle and need to perform some movements and surface.
Click to expand...

Do they start this pretty immediately? Also wondering if possibly he could take classes once he start as well. Definitely going to get him started this summer but wonder if it's something he can continue to work on once on campus.
Click to expand...
DS was in Feb. as Capt MJ said start now. all summer. Just get comfortable entering the water . Stay calm, Orient yourself, perform movements exit. Once he is on campus time is very limited if even available to do this at all especially if its a SMC. They are busy all the time.
 
Funny - my DD's freshman year she was the only certified lifeguard in the battalion, they offered PT sessions in the pool for people needing help in this area (the school no longer has a pool now, the building was demolished), and she was asked to be there "just in case". Of course they didn't have any problems, but it just shows that not being comfortable in the water or being a competent swimmer is something that happens every year, and at every school!
 
Dckc88 said:
Funny - my DD's freshman year she was the only certified lifeguard in the battalion, they offered PT sessions in the pool for people needing help in this area (the school no longer has a pool now, the building was demolished), and she was asked to be there "just in case". Of course they didn't have any problems, but it just shows that not being comfortable in the water or being a competent swimmer is something that happens every year, and at every school!
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My DD
Dckc88 said:
Funny - my DD's freshman year she was the only certified lifeguard in the battalion, they offered PT sessions in the pool for people needing help in this area (the school no longer has a pool now, the building was demolished), and she was asked to be there "just in case". Of course they didn't have any problems, but it just shows that not being comfortable in the water or being a competent swimmer is something that happens every year, and at every school!
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My DD16 AROTC also was only certified lifeguard during pool sessions. They actually did a lot of swimming with all ability levels. She enjoyed it, but not everyone did based on their comfort level in the water. Sometimes, she would help others with extra practice in the pool. They would also hold "for fun" PT sessions in the pool with games and competitions. You don't have to be a competitive swimmer or guard, but I would recommend starting now with comfort in the water!
 
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