Clemson University Army ROTC Fightin’ Tigers conduct Combat Water Survival Training

February 24, 2016

Each year in the Clemson University Army ROTC Fightin’ Tigers, we conduct Combat Water Survival Training (CWST), which is comprised of five tests. Each Cadet must swim laps continuously for 10 minutes without touching the sides or bottom of the pool and after a 5 minute break, tread water for 5 minutes.

After these events have been completed,Cadets don their Army Combat Uniform (ACUs) and move on to the Equipment Ditch. During the Equipment Ditch, Cadets put on a Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) vest and jump backwards into the water. Once the Cadet enters the water, they must fully submerge themselves, removing the LBE vest and ditch it under the water. Next comes the 15 Meter Swim. Cadets, once again, don an LBE vest and enter the water. A fake M-16 rifle, known as a “Rubber Duck” is handed to the Cadet and they must swim 15 meters with the rifle in the air and without touching the sides or bottom of the pool.

The last test, the infamous 3 Meter Drop, makes many Cadets nervous. Cadets are blindfolded on the top of a 3 meter diving board and are handed a Rubber Duck. In order to complete the test successfully, the Cadet must walk off the edge of the diving board, fall into the water, resurface holding the Rubber Duck, remove the blindfold, and swim to the side of the pool.

It really makes for some interesting training.