Fear Of Attrition, Need Advice.

[Shikra]

Hi everyone. This question goes to people who have been through API or are waiting to go to API. I am going to be an Officer not too long from now. My designator is SNA. However, I am afraid that I might be kicked out of the Navy because of my in-ability to swim. Nowadays I heard that they are kicking people out left and right for little reasons. I hope that I will not be a target.

My question is that what do they do with people like myself. Far from a mile, I probably can't even make one length of a pool right now. Treading, forget about it I go down like a rock. So is there any chance of me surviving API after I commission or am I going to hit the street?

I am pretty good at academics and PT, will those matter at all when they consider attriting me? I am sorry but I am just worried. Unlike most people, I don't even know any survival strokes they talk about. Just freestyle and without any efficiency. Boy am I gonna get it.

 

[rare21]

i didnt know crap when i went there and passed. they WILL work with you and continue to work with you until you get it. the only way it will be over is if you give up. what will happen is that they will give you a strokes test when you check in and if you fail that they will put you on swim hold until you can pass the second class swim test. after that once you class up if you cant pass an evolution you go everyday in the afternoon to try and pass it. then if it gets too bad you get rolled and go back on swim hold and try the evolutions until you pass them. the only way you WILL fail is if you give up on yourself. if you want this job like i do you wont give up no matter how long it takes. After you pass everything you'll get rolled back into class and continue. still if you have the chance now go take swimming lessons, they might not help with some of the things in API but it will get you more comfortable in the water and that will benefit you greatly. this is the way i see it, if i could make it (got there couldnt do strokes let alone anything else but float) then ANYONE with the will can.

 

[Fly Navy]

I was stashed at the Survival Pool, like many A-pool folks have been, and let me tell you, I've seen some ROCKS. They'll teach you to swim so long as you can be taught.

 

[Shikra]

Thank You both very much for a reply. That is real good to hear. I quit my job as an IP to join and fly for the Navy. It is good to know that I have a chance of survival so long as I give it my best and pass.

Thanks both of you again for the advice and help.

 

[marcb747]

I was on of those rocks. i didn't know how to swim until i got to pensacola. but like the guys mentioned, you fail only if you give up.
i was put on swim hold for a month prior to classing up and then put back on swim hold again after i consistently sink to the bottom during the treading evolutions. i was rolled out of my class and spent 6 weeks on swim hold.
you go to the pool at 0700 and then at 1200 for 1 hour sessions and then call it a day. they may put you on a swim evaluation board if you don't come up in 2 weeks but that is not a big deal. it sounds intimidating but they just want to find out what your motivation level is. you may see the skipper after the 4th week if you dont come up but again, you have to show your motivation. the guys at the pool are awesome. i give credit to their professionalism. they will work with you, every single one of them. one more piece of advice, while on hold make sure you are studying. the time off from academics will allow you to focus on the harder subjects like navigation. hope this helps.

 

[Fly Navy]

Another note, from what I've seen in the pool for Remedial and EI, it's mostly a mental block. For you it'll be physical at first since you don't know the techniques, but once you learn them, it's going to be mental. You CAN do it, what they teach you works. I saw guys complete the tread and float with flight suit, boots, gloves, and SV2 with no problem. The next time, when they add a helmet, they all of a sudden can't tread or float. You can actually see the panic set in and you can actually see it in their face when they give up. Just don't give up on yourself, like said before, the staff is great, the Petty Officers know their job, and they want to help you, so long as you want to pass. It's one of the few areas of API where they'll really stick with you so long as you stick with them. Good luck, you can do it.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Remember this when they put the helmet on you: the lack of water lapping at the top of your head will make you feel like you're on the bottom of the pool. You are not on the bottom, you are floating slightly higher than you did without the helmet. Without the helmet, you just don't have the cues you are used to that tell you that you are on the surface. Trust in the fact that you're floating and you'll do better than average.

 

[goplay234]

Get stashed at the survival pool. They will let you practice while you wait to class up. A buddy of mine is doing that now and he says as long as there isn't a class in there, he can practice when he wants.

 

[wali]

Shikra,
You are probably in the exact same boat I am. I hope they will work with me and get me up to speed. Is it true that you only get the pink sheets at API and not in the A-pool? I mean if I am on swim hold before classing up for API, do I still get a pink sheet?

Thanks

 

[rare21]

the pink sheets come when you class up, they're only for certain events..i believe the mile swim, the strokes test with full gear and one more i believe.

 

[Fly Navy]

WS-2 (strokes bathing suit), WS-8 (strokes flight gear), WS-9 (mile swim)

 

[goplay234]

It's pretty damn near impossible to get a pink sheet in A-pool. YOu will have to do something REALLY stupid. If you fail the PRT, they will remediate you. No pink sheet involved. The only way you get one in A-pool is if you get a DUI, miss muster repeatedly, or something like that.

 

[futrbluangel]

My best advice to you is to learn how to swim.

 

[Rotorhead]

Dont wait until you get to Pensacola to start learning how to swim. Go take some lessons now and learn how to swim a mile. Learning how to tread water now isnt a bad idea either. If you show up not knowing how, theres a chance they might not take the time to teach you (why would they have to if they have 100 applicants behind you who can already swim?), or if you dont make enough progress on your remedial swims you could get boarded.
If you want it bad enough, take the initiative and learn how. Don't wait for someone else to tell you you need to learn.