USMMA Swim Tests

USMC7051

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Would anyone be able to provide any insight on the swim tests at the USMMA? My son swims like a fish but has never had to perform a specific stroke such as elementary backstroke or breaststroke. Is there instruction beforehand or are they expected to know these strokes and test? Thanks in advance!
 
You will get some good guidance for all fitness testing at what the Academy provides; see Candidate Fitness Assessment. Make sure you go to the links that are provided. The requirements beyond swimming are extensive.
 
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Swims like a fish=don't worry. There are plebe candidates in every class who cannot swim at all. Your biggest worry (whether you believe it or not) will be academics. Our DS who was an IB straight A student in high school was happy to get a D in a couple classes. The fitting-four-years-of-academics-into-three because of sea year means your DS is about to be hit with a fire hose. Relax about the swimming part.
 
The fitting-four-years-of-academics-into-three because of sea year means your DS is about to be hit with a fire hose. Relax about the swimming part.
The reality of the academic load is starting to become apparent. Class of 2027 is only going to have about 235 PCs as 40+ from 2026 are getting set back into this years incoming class.
 
The reality of the academic load is starting to become apparent. Class of 2027 is only going to have about 235 PCs as 40+ from 2026 are getting set back into this years incoming class.
Does anyone have thoughts on this? 40 kids staying back seems high. I've wondered if Covid-19 plays a factor in the 2026 class being prepared enough for this academy.

My son starts at USMMA this summer so we're just hoping that high school has prepared him for what's to come. There are academic supports for those who are struggling, correct?
 
One of the problems was that during COVID - SAT/ACT were not required for admittance. The result was that the students were not up to the capabilities of other classes when SAT/ACT were required. Why would a student want to go through Plebe year again???
 
There are lots of academics supports. Many professors are available for extra help, there is a lab for subject matter help, classmates (and even some upperclassmen) are available as well. The key is to be a team player so your classmates want to help you and to seek help immediately rather than waiting until it's too late to catch up.
 
One of the problems was that during COVID - SAT/ACT were not required for admittance. The result was that the students were not up to the capabilities of other classes when SAT/ACT were required. Why would a student want to go through Plebe year again???
I believe KP only skipped 1 year. CGA was still optional for class of 27. KP seems to stick to the academic standards. SAT was required at KP for 2026 so shouldn't be root cause of this year's hold backs. Also, hold backs pick up where they left off, so they don't do indoc again for instance. they are encouraged to take classed and prep, no worse off than a student who does a year at prep school.
 
Why would a student want to go through Plebe year again???
Kings Point is a bad place to be but a great place to be FROM. As much as it sucked, everything was 100% worth it. I hated it so much I did 6 years.

Your second plebe year experience will vary depending on when you got set back. I had classmates who came back right after indoc and some came back after Christmas. Some came back after indoc but because they had been recognized they did the year as 3/C until we were recognized then they became 4/C again.
 
Would anyone be able to provide any insight on the swim tests at the USMMA? My son swims like a fish but has never had to perform a specific stroke such as elementary backstroke or breaststroke. Is there instruction beforehand or are they expected to know these strokes and test? Thanks in advance!
You just have to be able to tread water for like 10 mins in the pool. If not they'll put you in a remedial swimming class to actually teach you to swim
 
You just have to be able to tread water for like 10 mins in the pool. If not they'll put you in a remedial swimming class to actually teach you to swim
That may be true for the abbeviated test given during INDOC. But prior to departing for shipboard training, 4th class “mids” are expected to do the following:

“Fourth Class Midshipmen must demonstrate the capability of swimming 100 yards using two basic strokes, and 15 minutes of flotation. Non-swimmers must devote a part of their time to learning basic swimming strokes, and it is therefore recommended that applicants learn to swim before entering the Academy. This requirement must be fulfilled prior to a midshipman's first shipboard training period.”
 
One of the problems was that during COVID - SAT/ACT were not required for admittance. The result was that the students were not up to the capabilities of other classes when SAT/ACT were required. Why would a student want to go through Plebe year again???
I agree with what you said, but at the same time - someone that is committed enough, that they ARE willing to go through Plebe year again, really wants it and you know USMMA believes they are capable and the Plebes are going to work their butts off to make it happen.
 
Everyone takes two swim classes plebe year regardless of how they do on the swim tests. Basic swim is learning the strokes and how to float/tread water for x number of minutes. Aquatic Survival is the second class where they teach you more advanced strokes, floats, and rescue maneuvers.

please learn to swim before coming to the academy. I cannot tell you how awful it was for my friend (now a civilian) when she showed up not knowing how to swim and believing she could just "refuse to learn" so she would quite literally drag the rest of us down in the pool when she couldn't swim lol.
 
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Everyone takes two swim classes plebe year regardless of how they do on the swim tests. Basic swim is learning the strokes and how to float/tread water for x number of minutes. Aquatic Survival is the second class where they teach you more advanced strokes, floats, and rescue maneuvers.

please learn to swim before coming to the academy. I cannot tell you how awful it was for my friend (now a civilian) when she showed up not knowing how to swim and believing she could just "refuse to learn" so she would quite literally drag the rest of us down in the pool when she couldn't swim lol.
With swimming, is the focus on perfecting the strokes, speed, or being able to cover distances/float/survival? My DS can swim long distances (used swimming as a cardio exercise) and float/tread water. But he isn't super fast, and his strokes aren't 'pretty.'
 
With swimming, is the focus on perfecting the strokes, speed, or being able to cover distances/float/survival? My DS can swim long distances (used swimming as a cardio exercise) and float/tread water. But he isn't super fast, and his strokes aren't 'pretty.'
Your DS will be fine. Both my KP kids were only so-so swimmers and they had no problems.
 
Everyone takes two swim classes plebe year regardless of how they do on the swim tests. Basic swim is learning the strokes and how to float/tread water for x number of minutes. Aquatic Survival is the second class where they teach you more advanced strokes, floats, and rescue maneuvers.

please learn to swim before coming to the academy. I cannot tell you how awful it was for my friend (now a civilian) when she showed up not knowing how to swim and believing she could just "refuse to learn" so she would quite literally drag the rest of us down in the pool when she couldn't swim lol.
I am guessing that they still teach the method of swimming through a burning oil slick. . .
 
Would anyone be able to provide any insight on the swim tests at the USMMA? My son swims like a fish but has never had to perform a specific stroke such as elementary backstroke or breaststroke. Is there instruction beforehand or are they expected to know these strokes and test? Thanks in advance!
Swims like a fish but does not know backstroke or breaststroke? Something smells fishy to me. Best advice would be get swimming lessons asap. You need to know how to do that and remedial swim does not teach you anything — I know, I was in it.
 
Swims like a fish but does not know backstroke or breaststroke? Something smells fishy to me. Best advice would be get swimming lessons asap. You need to know how to do that and remedial swim does not teach you anything — I know, I was in it.
Thank you for the advice! I hooked him up with Phelps and we're changing course now. Hoping to represent team USA next year.
 
Thank you for the advice! I hooked him up with Phelps and we're changing course now. Hoping to represent team USA next year.

There's nothing funny about this. If you don't know freestyle, back/breast/side stroke or how to tread water mainly using your legs you do not know how to swim period. most of the other students are a mile ahead of that. Need to work on that or it will be painful in swim class.
 
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