PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

We did not jump off the diving board, there was a platform about 10 feet off the water and we climbed to it and jumped feet first with our arms crossed across our chest into the deep end, had to tread for one minute then swim to the shallow end to exit the pool. Everybody had to jump off the platform, even those who claimed they cold not swim. If they did not jump they were strongly encouraged (pushed) and had to try staying afloat for the minute. Only one or two had to be "rescued" by the instructors, and thy were not in a hurry to do the rescue. It is amazing how adrenaline can train someone to do something, like swim.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I was stationed with a SEAL that conducted swim quals - he would get them on the high dive and tell them "you have an option, jump or climb down the ladder and be transferred to the marines or the army" - he told us he never had one climb down...
Discussing this with him, he said that if a recruit was unable to pass the swim qual, they had approval from DOD to transfer them to the marines or the army (back in '68/'69)...

trackmag

At boot camp in 1968 at Great Lakes we were doing the dungaree flotation device drill. A guy that was two or three guys in front of me missed grabbing the air with the pants. He went straight to the bottom of the pool and the boatswain running the pool would not let anyone help him. He drowned.
Will never forget that day.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Since it has not been mentioned how about the “bend over and spread your cheeks” phase of swimming quals. My references here are from RTC San Diego in ‘60. Learning good personal hygiene was big in boot camp getting guys used to living in very close quarters, hot bunking, etc.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Yep, I was part of the pack!

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I was there in '68 also. Your story seems a little familiar to me. What months were you there? I was there from August 1 through mid September, '68.

trackmag

Hey Country Boy from Beckley, West Virginia.

In 1968 I was with the Sublant Sea Raiders basketball team and we came to Beckley and played the West Virginia Tech Golden Bears.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was on the staff or VADM Arnie Schade, who ran the Atlantic Submare Force out of Norfolk.
We had one heck of a team including two guys who played on the 1968 Olympic team. One of those guys was Mike Barrett who had also played a West Virginia Tech and went on to play in the pros.
We had a great time. I remember a great cafe just across the railroad tracks from the gym. Good burgers and they had a slot machine in the back.
Those were good times. We won the All Navy Championship and the Interservice Championship all three years I was there. Lots of fun. Lots of good guys. We also had a good softball team. One guy as a 1st class commissaryman who had been pitching for us for more than 20 years. He could really hum a softball.
We played from Norfolk to San Diego, from Key West to New Long. Wonder if they still do things like that.

trackmag

Arrived at Great Lakes on December 7, 1967 and was there until February 28. On the wall in my office hangs a plaque. Honor Man of Co. 624. Ha!

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

NO ONE is carrying an iPhone!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

In USMC Boot Camp in 1964, Parris Island, there was never a choice of anything. You just did it. I recall one Marine who could not swim at all. We all thought the DI would honestly drown him as he kept pushing the recruit under the water while trying to instruct him how to simply pull himself forward.

The situation reminded me of my father throwing me and my brothers into a slow moving deep creek and telling us to swim. Must have worked.

Dennis

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Funny how pictures of girls wearing the old styles still look cute but guys (including me) look stupid.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Wow! I thought I stepped into a time warp machine. I graduated high school in 77. These brought back memories.