Taking a 'dip' the hard way - Army Reserve training - Brief Article

Stephens, Angelique

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--Swimming 75 meters with an M16 rifle strapped to your back, in full BDU's including combat boots and LBE (Load Bearing Equipment) can't be easy and it's not supposed to be.

On July 30th the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion from Little Rock, Arkansas did things the 'hard' way when unit members took part in the swim evaluation test that all Cival Affairs and Pychological Operations Command units are required to perform as part of Special Operation Forces (SOF) training.

Soldiers were rated as non-swimmers--under 15 meters, weak swimmers--over 15 meters, swimmers--over 50 meters, and strong swimmers--over 75 meters with 50 meters being SOF qualification standard.

Maj. Darwin Concon was the Officer In Charge of the event and in charge of getting people in and out of the water. "Everybody needs to know about water safety," he said. "How not to panic when they find themselves in deep water with heavy equipment."

In case someone did panic, or just lose strength, safeties were provided on each side of the pool holding long poles out over the water to assist the swimmers.

Those who couldn't swim were taught by Maj. Francis Chancey, and learned how to use their uniform for floatation. Sgt. Judy Smith was a non-swimmer.

"I blew into my shirt while under water to make it float. And we threw our pants over our heads to catch air in them," she said. "Maj. Chancey also tried to teach me how to float, but I didn't learn."

Altogether about 30 people took the test with 12 being classified as strong swimmers and six as swimmers.

"People did well," Concon said. "There were a lot who were weak swimmers last year but tried again this year. That takes intestinal fortitude," he concluded.

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