A Marine recruit conducts a 25-meter pack swim during a water survival qualification event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Feb. 25, 2026. The Marine Corps is updating its water survival training requirements across the force. (Yosemily Carrero Baez/U.S. Marine Corps)
Marines will soon be expected to spend more time in the pool in line with the service’s plans to overhaul its water survival requirements beginning later this year, according to a recent message to the force.
A new five-level qualification program, set to begin Oct. 1, will replace the current three-tier system of basic, intermediate and advanced swim qualifications.
Additionally, swimming proficiency level will now be factored into Marines’ performance evaluations, the March 5 message said.
The change is intended to ensure that Marines are more comfortable in the water and better prepare them for amphibious missions, the service said.
The new progression will include a basic level for recruits, followed by novice, competent, proficient and advanced levels.
Changes to swimming qualifications at boot camp will be “minimal,” though recruits will be expected to complete both the basic and novice levels, according to the message.
Recruits who do not meet the novice standard before graduation will require a waiver from the recruit depot’s commanding general, and the basic qualification will be valid for only one year, the announcement said.
Each qualification beyond the basic level introduces more demanding requirements than the previous system, including time increases for treading water and a greater number of swimming strokes and techniques, according to the Marine Corps’ fitness site.
The push to strengthen water survival standards dates back to the Corps’ Training and Education 2030 planning guidance released in early 2023.
“All Marines should expect the standards to be elevated and require additional training in the water,” it says.
Previously, Marines who completed the basic water survival course in boot camp had to requalify every two years, while those holding intermediate or advanced qualifications were required to requalify every three years.
Under the new guidance, Marines with a requalification requirement after Oct. 1 will have six months to complete the appropriate course under the new program before being considered unqualified.
A screenshot from the Marine Corps’ fitness website outlines both the old and new requirements for the service’s water survival programs. The new requirements will begin Oct 1, 2026, according to a recent message to the force. (U.S. Marine Corps)
