Entering The US Navy a Non-Swimmer!!!?

Question

If you go to the US Navy not knowing how to swim how would your time be like in Boot Camp. I heard that you do not want to go to boot camp not knowing how to swim because they put you through hell. Thanks for your input!!!!!

Answer 1

They will put you through a swim class. Whether or not it is hell just depends on the instructors personality to be honest. Make sure you admit you do not know how swim before you jump in the pool. If they have to pull your @$$ out you will regret it. Some guys are afraid to say they can't swim thinking they will get a hard time and figure they'll somehow magically be able to wing it and quickly learn they would have been much better off raising their hand when asked who could not swim.

Answer 2

Cheer-up! I never really liked swimming that much and I'm NOT a good swimmer. BUT... I am a retired career Navy Vet. I spent most of my adult life in the Navy... and there was no better place to be, as far as I'm concerned.

As mentioned in a prior answer, be sure to be honest when asked about your swimming ability, then work with it. They're NOT going to put you through hell... but you may learn to stay afloat long enough to reach safety should the need arise.

All my years in the Navy, the need to swim or survive in the water never presented itself after boot-camp. They are just going to give you some basic drown-proofing.

Answer 3

Recruit Training includes remedial classes for non-swimmers to be taught to pass the basic swimming requirements (Third Class Swimmer). As I recall from way back in 1985, these are done as extra training for those recruits.

I really doubt if it would qualify as "going through hell". The requirements are simple:

1) Enter the water feet first from a minimum height of five feet.
2) Remain afloat for five minutes.
3) Swim 50 yards using any stroke or a combination of strokes.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

I entered the U.S. Navy in July, 1970. I attended boot camp in San Diego. I am a 'non swimmer', and was sent to the "non swimmers" special assistance class. Several other recruits were in the same 'class' as myself. Due to a near drowning event that happened to me many years previous, I had a definite 'fear/dislike' for swimming pools.
While in the pool, six to eight hours daily, I, and ALL others, were subjected to nasty 'torture'. We had gum stuck up our anus's, screamed at, slammed with 'pole vaults', along with various other intimidating forms of what was considered 'normal' by the swimming instructors, at least the ones that I dealt with. We were told that we would be thrown out of boot camp if we did not obtain the ability to at least 'float'. So be it.
I AM SEEKING ANY INFO FROM ANYONE THAT WAS SUBJECTED TO THIS SAME SORT OF TORTURE.
The dates involve the time period from June 1, 1970, to August 31, 1970.
I did serve four years, CT-R, including one WestPac trip to Asia.
I was honorably discharged.
Thanks for your service.
Typhoon NORA, near Taiwan, nearly got us, with 60ft. swells, and 180mph winds. But, we had a great crew, and we all made our journey safe.
Only one "GENERAL QUARTERS, ALL HANDS ON DECK" event, but I will never forget. I would do it all again.

Geof L Savage
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Answer 5

I am not sure about the navy specifically, and how you would be treated if you don't swim. But I would reccomend learning how to swim for any branch of the military. While depending on what you do you may never be on a boat in the navy, and possibly spend alot of time near water in the Army. You don't know what you are doing, and it would be best to know how to swim.

Answer 6

No they don't put you through hell, just a swim class to learn how to swim proficient enough to be able to pass the swim portion of basic.

Answer 7

while there is a special remedial class for people who do not know how to swim: LEARN BEFORE YOU GET THERE. it isn't hard to do.

Answer 8

just learn how no big deal