DELTA TRAINING - Water training

[mikec62001]

Does anyone have an idea about the extent to which Delta trains in the water. Do they have to be very good swimmers (Similar to Navy SEAL standards)?

Any help..would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[SABER 2-3]

Yes. All personel in SFOD-D must at the bare min. pass the Combat Water Survival Test (as do Rangers/SF/SOAR). Operators are encouraged to attend any course (Civ. or Mil.) that will enhance their ability to conduct sucessful operations. This would include the US Army Combat Diver school (SCUBA sch) in Key West. Army SCUBA school is widely known through-out every service as one of the most physically demanding courses offered. The USMC and USAF send students to this highly desired course due to its quality. SFOD-D troops may also attend any DoD school deemed of worth this would include any school the SEALs teach or attend.

[steppingrazor]

...meaning, do they go thru the same 8 weeks of training as the SEALs do? cool!

[SABER 2-3]

I dont think that they go though the basic SEAL school (8 wk).
What they would go to would be schools that Qualified SEALs need. These might be courses on Oil rig platform take-down or cold water diving for example. Chances are pretty good they would be custom courses w/ very good student to instructor ratios and lots of professionalism.

[budanski]

Is this the same scuba schools the Green Berets refer to members as the "Body Nazis"? I've read in a U.S. News article of the SF in Columbia and one member of that team with the psuedo Sean was from there. Just Curious.

[ibstolidude]

SABER:

"Combat Water Survival Test " is required for all SOF soldiers not only those that you posted...

just FYI

[SABER 2-3]

STOLI,
I was pretty sure all SOCOM members had to pass CWST, I know LRSD/LRSU, RTB and JFKSWC members also must pass. I wasnt trying to leave anyone out; I just did not want to attempt the Phone book of units out there that must take said exam.

[ibstolidude]

no prob...

[SABER 2-3]

STOLI,

Im guessing I left off your unit ?
I had to qualify as a 3rd class swimmer (or better) a couple of years ago, have you been hit w/ this f-ing thing yet.

[ibstolidude]

We have always catagorized swimmers as weak, swimmer, and strong.
Not sure what the "3rd class" refers to...although the naval requirements are similiarly performed and catagorized as classes...

It is similiar we must do tread water/float crap 5 min, swim the 50m and enter the water from a height of 3m with full gear and perform the drop and ditch..
I think the min's are for weak swimmer to complete and not show signs of fear or panic (as I recall) are:
-survive the blindfolded 3m drop and not drowned
-perform the "drop and ditch"
-swim 25meters any stroke in LBE/weapon/boots (used to be 15m)
-tread/float for 5 minutes.

to the layperson, it sounds a little easy (in my opinion is), swimming with your equipment, weapon and boots sucks; but many, many people get tired and panic.

[SABER 2-3]

I have taken the one your describing several times. I guess some one at the Pentagon figured the Navy must be the authority on swimming because these tests are USN standards and levels (1,2,3 class swimmer). I'm not sure why they went w/ the Navy program for my outfit but we have. This is comical because I was informed by the SAR swimmers who test us, that saliors are not required to be able to swim; only survial float!

[Trigger]

@SABER 2-3: Unless things have changed (which they probably have) you couldn't graduate Navy boot camp unless you could tread for 3 min. and swim one length of the pool.

[SABER 2-3]

I hope its what you say. If these SAR guys are correct any at sea emergency could easily become a disaster of the worst kind- preventable

[Duke]

Rarely do FR attend Key West. Marines attend only when billets are maxed out at Pensacola.
https://wwwnt.cnet.navy.mil/ndstc/usmc.asp