MCRD PARRIS ISLAND/ERR, S.C. -- The cool, peaceful water of the Family Pool would normally be a pleasant sight. However, some recruits cringe at the very thought of jumping in the water long before the smell of chlorine hits their nostrils.
Combat water survival is a graduation requirement for all recruits, but some, like Recruit Kilpatrick Sibley of India Company's Platoon 3093 find swimming leaves them feeling like they're in over their heads.
"This recruit is not comfortable with the deep part,"Sibley said while shaking. "This recruit has known people who have drowned."
Sibley was one of about 20 recruits from India Co. who repeated CWS training in order to graduate.
There are four level of Combat water survival.
CWS-4, is the most basic. Recruits jump in to the pool wearing only utilities and must show basic water skills such as swimming and floating.
As the recruits progress in their CWS training, they can advance to CWS-3 and 2.
CWS-3 and 2 are the hardest for recruits, according to Staff Sgt. Johnnie Stankus, a Marine combat water survival instructor trainer for Instructor Trainer Company, Support Battalion. That's because recruits are wearing full gear and have to do so many things.
For a recruit or a Marine to become CWS-3 or 2, they must demonstrate water survival skills while wearing full utilities, M-16A2 rifle and pack.
The individuals must be able to show they can maintain their equipment while safely traversing the water. Those wishing to proceed to CWS-2 must also demonstrate the ability to save a drowning Marine by pulling them to safety.
There is a CWS-1, but it may not be attempted during recruit training.
Most recruits make it to CWS-3 without a problem. Sibley was not one of them.
Sibley had attempted the training on Aug. 28. However, he was unable to maintain his buoyancy and found himself quickly sinking to the pool floor.
Failing once is not enough to hold a recruit back. However, recruits only have until the Thursday of that week to pass before being dropped to another company.
"I'm a bit nervous,"Sibley said while looking at the pool. "It's the second time I've been here."
Sibley waited nervously by the diving board for orders.
"Just thinking about it is making me nervous,"Sibley said. "It's hard to stay calm."
Staying calm is a necessity for passing CWS, though.
"The main reason recruits fail is fear,"Stankus said. "I've had recruits so afraid of the water they won't even get near the pool."
This fear is always overcome though.
"You just have to mentally prepare them,"Stankus said. "Once they get in there and are comfortable, they begin swimming on their own."
It was this mental preparation Sibley was getting now.
Several instructors spoke with Sibley to ensure he passed.
"This recruit is confident,"Sibley said. "Right now, he is just focusing on passing."
Recruits are not just thrown into the water and expected to know what to do.
Recruits who are afraid of water are sent to the pool Monday, a day earlier than the rest of the series, to prepare them for the pool.
"We know they are going to have a hard time with it,"Stankus said. "So we start working with them one-on-one a day early."
Tuesday, the entire series heads to the pool for safety briefs and to begin CWS training.
"We give them safety and medical briefs about aquatic hazards,"Stankus said. "Then we tell them to get dressed and training begins.
"Tuesday seems like the longest day, but Wednesday and Thursday are the toughest,"Stankus added. "It's difficult for them because CWS-3 and 2 have the most stages."
CWS-3 and 2 are also done in deeper water adding a psychological effect.
"In the deep, end your feet can't touch the ground,"Sibley said. "You think you will drown."
Drowning isn't the only fear some recruits harbor.
"I'm afraid I won't get the pack off,"said Recruit Michael Schneider of Platoon 3093, India Co. "I'm not worried about drowning, but getting yelled at for messing up."
Schneider's fear was quickly overcome.
Schneider took his pack and jumped off the deep end. Finding himself floating, he then swam toward his goal. A minute later - mission accomplished.
Schneider and Sibley both completed the CWS training, but it took work.
"It was hard,"Schneider said. "Your arms get tired and you run out of breath."