What is the official name of the Navy swim test?

The Navy swim test is officially known as the Third Class Swimmer Qualification.

What are the four main components of the Navy swim test?

The four main components of the Navy swim test are a jump from a 10-foot tower, a 50-yard swim, a 5-minute prone float, and shirt and trouser inflation.

How can recruits best prepare for the Navy swim test?

Prospective recruits can prepare by practicing various swimming strokes for endurance, building deep water comfort and confidence, improving physical conditioning, and mastering rhythmic breathing control.

What is the Navy Swim Test & How to Prepare?

Q: What happens if a recruit fails the Navy swim test?

Failure to pass the Navy swim test can delay a recruit's progress through boot camp and, in some cases, may lead to administrative separation from the Navy.

What is the Navy Swim Test?

The Navy swim test, officially known as the Third Class Swimmer Qualification, is a mandatory water survival assessment designed to ensure all U.S. Navy recruits possess fundamental aquatic competency and confidence necessary for naval service, where operations often occur in, on, or near water.

Purpose of the Navy Swim Test

The primary purpose of the Navy swim test is to evaluate a recruit's ability to survive in a maritime environment. Unlike competitive swimming, the test emphasizes practical water survival skills over speed or stroke efficiency. It ensures that every sailor can remain afloat, move through water, and utilize basic survival techniques, which are critical for safety during shipboard operations, potential emergencies, or combat scenarios at sea. This foundational aquatic proficiency is considered an essential skill set for all personnel, regardless of their specific job rating.

Components of the Navy Swim Test

The Third Class Swimmer Qualification comprises four distinct events, each designed to assess a specific aspect of water survival. Recruits must successfully complete all components in sequence to pass.

Jump from a 10-foot Tower

This initial component assesses a recruit's confidence and ability to enter the water from a height, simulating an overboard scenario or abandoning ship.

Action: Recruits must jump from a 10-foot (approximately 3-meter) platform into the water below.
Purpose: Tests courage, immediate water acclimation, and the ability to safely enter deep water, often while wearing a uniform. Proper entry technique minimizes injury and disorientation.

50-Yard Swim

Following the tower jump, recruits must demonstrate their ability to propel themselves through water for a set distance.

Action: Swim 50 yards (approximately 45 meters) using any stroke or combination of strokes. There is no time limit, but continuous forward movement is required.
Purpose: Evaluates basic swimming endurance and propulsion skills. The emphasis is on sustained movement, not speed, acknowledging that energy conservation is vital in survival situations. Recruits may use breaststroke, freestyle, sidestroke, or elementary backstroke.

Prone Float (5 minutes)

This component tests a recruit's ability to conserve energy and stay afloat without active swimming, a crucial survival technique.

Action: Upon completing the 50-yard swim, recruits must transition immediately into a prone (face-down) float for five continuous minutes. They are allowed to lift their head to breathe as needed.
Purpose: Assesses buoyancy control, breath management, and the ability to relax in the water. This skill is vital for waiting for rescue or conserving energy in cold water.

Shirt and Trouser Inflation

The final and often most challenging component involves using clothing to create a flotation device.

Action: After the prone float, recruits must remove their uniform shirt and trousers while in the water, inflate them to create a makeshift flotation device, and then use them to stay afloat for a specified period (typically while demonstrating continued stability).
Purpose: Simulates a critical survival scenario where a life vest is unavailable. It tests manual dexterity, problem-solving under duress, and the practical application of survival knowledge in a water environment. This skill requires significant practice and coordination.

Who Must Take the Test?

All enlisted personnel and officers entering the U.S. Navy are required to pass the Third Class Swimmer Qualification. This test is typically administered during basic training (boot camp) at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. Failure to pass the swim test can delay a recruit's progress through boot camp and, in some cases, may lead to administrative separation from the Navy if the required proficiency cannot be achieved.

Preparing for the Navy Swim Test

While the Navy provides instruction and remediation for those struggling with the swim test, prospective recruits can significantly improve their chances of success by preparing beforehand.

Swimming Proficiency

Practice various strokes: Focus on endurance and efficiency rather than speed. Breaststroke, sidestroke, and elementary backstroke are often recommended due to their energy efficiency.
Swim continuously: Build up your ability to swim 50 yards without stopping.
Deep water comfort: Spend time in deep water to overcome any apprehension.

Water Confidence

Submersion: Practice holding your breath and submerging fully.
Floating: Develop the ability to float on your back and stomach for extended periods, focusing on relaxation and breath control.

Physical Conditioning

Cardiovascular endurance: Regular aerobic exercise will improve your stamina for the swim and overall physical demands.
Core strength: A strong core aids in body position and efficiency in the water.

Breathing Control

Rhythmic breathing: Practice exhaling fully underwater and inhaling quickly when surfacing. This is critical for the prone float and overall swimming efficiency.

Importance of Water Survival Skills

Beyond the formal test, the Navy's emphasis on swimming and water survival skills underscores a fundamental principle: the ocean is an unpredictable environment. Equipping every sailor with the ability to survive in water not only enhances individual safety but also contributes to the overall readiness and resilience of the naval force. These skills foster confidence, reduce panic in emergencies, and are foundational to operating effectively in a global maritime domain.

Conclusion

The Navy swim test is more than just a physical assessment; it's a foundational requirement that instills essential water survival skills in every sailor. By mastering the tower jump, 50-yard swim, prone float, and shirt/trouser inflation, recruits demonstrate their readiness to operate safely and effectively in the unique challenges presented by naval service. For aspiring sailors, early preparation and consistent practice of these core aquatic competencies are key to a successful transition into the U.S. Navy.

The Navy swim test, officially the Third Class Swimmer Qualification, is a mandatory water survival assessment for all U.S. Navy recruits.
The test comprises four distinct components: a 10-foot tower jump, a 50-yard swim, a 5-minute prone float, and shirt and trouser inflation.
Each component evaluates practical water survival skills, emphasizing confidence, energy conservation, and the ability to improvise flotation.
Passing the test is crucial as failure can delay a recruit's progress through boot camp or even lead to administrative separation from the Navy.
Effective preparation includes practicing swimming proficiency, building water confidence, improving physical conditioning, and mastering breathing control.

Navy Swim Test: Components, Requirements, and Preparation