Swcc training?

[amber1321]

Hi everyone out there thank you for making this group because i have so many questions and cant find answers. My husband swcc package has been approved and we are now waiting for orders. Can anyone give me a heads up on how training is im very anxious to know exactly what to expect because im expecting our second child while he will be in training so i want to know as much now to be mentally prepared. Thank you and thank you to all your sons, husbands or daughters who serve

[kelly67]

n response to all the questions that come up as new people join the forum, this will be an attempt to sum up what to expect in SWCC training. I am going to start it based on my knowledge of what my son experienced from arrival at San Diego through CQT. But keep in mind that the good folks who run the SWCC school make changes to every class, some subtle, some pretty major, so I would invite anyone with information on how things are changing in later classes to please post it so that anyone coming here for information can get the most current knowledge available. I will edit and revise this periodically as I learn more, and as I become aware of changes. If you see some incorrect information, please tell me so I can correct it.

I also recommend you visit:

http://www.warboats.org/SWCC.htm

for lots of good information and pictures. Their site is oriented more to the history of SWCC and its predecessors than current training, but is still a wealth of good information.

First off, SWCC stands for "Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman" and is, as the name implies, a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command. NSW is best known for the Seals...they apparently have a terrific publicity agent!..but also consists of SWCC as well as EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal, or "the bomb squad",) and Navy Divers. SWCC trains at the same place and much the same way as Seals do. It is intensely physical, but even more intense mentally. To pass the SWCC training, a guy has to overcome the perfectly rational desire to quit when things are outrageously hard for no apparent reason.

When your Sailor first arrives at San Diego from Boot Camp (or from his previous duty station if he applied from the Fleet) he will be assigned to ATP...I forget what exactly that stands for--I'll find out and edit, but it means the guys who are on hold waiting to class up for BCT. BCT stands for "Basic Crewman Training" and is the initial stage of making him into a "Boat Guy" (SWCC's nickname). BCT is divided into two weeks of Indoc, followed by five weeks of BCT proper, for a total of seven weeks. I've never been able to find out why they do it that way, since there's no division between them, but that's how they label it, so there you are...

Indoc is a lot of inspections, PT, and a few classes. The days are long and intense. They run everywhere they go, about 10 miles in an average day. They spend a lot of time in the pool. In the pool, they'll practice "brick treads" where they have to tread water, keeping their heads out of the water by moving only their feet, while holding a brick. They also have to demonstrate proficiency at diving to the bottom of the pool and untying knots, or gathering up several rifles, tying them together with a short rope, and coming to the surface with them...all this while being harassed and distracted by instructors in the pool with them. Another very important phase is the "buddy tow" where they dive in the water, swim to an instructor who is simulating a drowning victim, and attempt to "save" him by towing him back to shore...this while he mimics a panicking drowning victim who tries to climb up on his "rescuer" and might even drive him to the bottom and hold him there. It is worth noting that the pool causes more "DOR's" (Drop On Request...this is where a guy decides SWCC is not for him and voluntarily leaves the program) than any other single thing. Many a competent, athletic, brave young man has decided he doesn't want to pursue this after the pool experience.

After Indoc, BCT begins. The first week is intensely physical, more so than Indoc even, culminating in "Purple Thursday" (I have no idea where it got the name...) which is usually held at the "demo pit" (demolition pit) with lots of explosions, live machine gun fire, and every available instructor screaming through bull horns. It is designed to disorient while being the hardest physically tortuous day to that point.

The second through fourth weeks are more academic, with classes on navigation, boat handling, etc. but with plenty of physical challenges as well.

The fifth and final week of BCT is called "The Tour" and is four continuous twenty-four hour days of frantic activity, much of it on the boats and in the ocean with almost no sleep and not enough to eat. The good news is, everyone who is still standing has now graduated from BCT and earned the SB (Special Boatman) rating! A typical BCT class will graduate about one out of five who started. There will be a few more who were rolled from an earlier class. There isn't a formal graduation from BCT, just an informal passing out of certificates.

After BCT comes CQT, for "Crewman Qualification Training" where they learn the more advanced skills necessary to be useful to a Boat Team. There is still plenty of physical activity, but it isn't geared towards trying to make you quit like BCT was. The day is about half PT (Physical Training) and half academic classes. They are issued a lot of very nice gear while in CQT...things like wet suits, dry suits, helmets, etc, that have been individually fitted to them and which they will keep and use after they get to their teams. This is first class stuff, the best there is. One great benefit is that they get to wear their wet suits to swim in the ocean in CQT...in BCT, they were in shorts and freezing. My son told me that many times while in BCT that they would stay in the ocean so long that when they came out they were stumbling and could barely walk from the cold and the fatigue. I don't think there are words that can convey how difficult this training is. That's why I have nothing but greatest respect for the guys who try it and don't make it, and just plain awe for the ones who do.

The subjects taught in CQT include Navigation, Communications, Emergency Medical, Weapons, Mission Planning, Small Unit Tactics, etc. The weapons traing consists of two weeks of classroom instruction and two weeks of intense live fire practice and qualification at the ranges at a Marine base. They live in tents and mostly eat MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) while there.

At the end of CQT there is a formal graduation ceremony where they are "pinned;" that is, they are awarded the SWCC pin that they now are authorized to wear on their left breast to signify qualification as a SWCC Warrior. Family and friends are welcome at this ceremony.

[amber1321]

Thank you so much for this information this is by far the most in depth response I have recieved. I really appreciate it

[kelly67]

You're very welcome! Check out the SWCC site if you haven't already, this is where I found the info above.

[okaraj24 (ship 04 div 813)]

Thank you for the thorough info!  I've looked around and have never seen it explained so carefully.  I did watch the program on the military channel about the SEALS, and I agree, I have the upmost respect for anyone who tries it, and I realize that the SWCC is so very similar.

[Linda (ship04/Div. 818)]

I thank you for the information as well, I have been on edge waiting to hear from my Sailor as to how he is doing.  Probably too exhausted to call.  I continue to pray for all the men as it is so intense on their minds and bodies.  I know it is something my son wanted to do.  I miss him so much, but am learning to let go and let God, and cherish the times when he calls.

 

[floridabeachgirl]

My son got the call from his recruiter today...he got his SWCC contract. I am so proud of him!!!

[margeeim]

There is a show called Making the Cut that focuses on SWCC training.  It's really enlightening, but as a SWCC Mom, also scary!  My son thinks it's just cool...go figure!  :)  I do recommend that you and the hubs watch the show.  It's on the Military Channel and I believe on Discovery Channel.