Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen
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Special Warfare Combat Crewmen | |
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Special operations forces | |
Role | Primary roles
Other roles |
Size | 755 (active) 50 (reserve) |
Part of | U.S. Special Operations Command U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command |
Nickname(s) | "Boat Guys," "Dirty Boat Guys" (DBGs), and "The Boat Teams" |
Motto(s) | "On Time, On Target, Never Quit!" |
Engagements | Global War on Terrorism
|
The Special Warfare Combat Crewmen (SWCC
Prospective SWCC sailors go through a special training program at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, where they learn boating and weapons tactics, techniques, and procedures that focus on clandestine infiltration and exfiltration of SEALs and other special operations forces. About one-third of entrants typically graduate and become SWCCs.[1]
Upon graduation, most SWCCs are assigned to one of the Navy's three Special Boat Teams.
History
Special boat teams trace their history to the
The modern special warfare combatant-craft crewman grew out of efforts during the Vietnam War to develop forces for
SWCC detachments have participated in nearly every major conflict since then, notably in the Persian Gulf (operations
To fight terror groups in the Philippines, the Navy dispatched special boat teams to train and advise Armed Forces of the Philippines and conduct maritime operations against piracy, trafficking, and port/waterway security.[3] Some 160 U.S. special operators went on patrol with Filipinos in the jungles of Basilan island, an Abu Sayyaf stronghold. In 2002, U.S. military personnel deployed to Cebu to support a six-month exercise.[4] In 2007, SWCC operated Mark V Special Operations Craft and conducted various maritime interdiction, visit-board-search-and-seizure, and reconnaissance operations.[5] Some unconventional tactics and equipment were used, such as canoes with outboard motors, small boats, and jetskis for low-profile collection operations.[6] During the 2017 Siege of Marawi, several SWCC operators helped the Philippines army.[7]
The Navy opened its special-warfare communities to women in 2016; as of 2021, 18 female sailors had attempted to pass the SWCC and SEAL training courses. One succeeded, becoming the first female SWCC in July 2021.[8] [9] [10]
Missions
SWCCs operate and maintain state-of-the-art, high-performance vessels to support special operations, particularly clandestine insertion and extraction and in shallow water where large ships cannot operate. They can perform
Their training and equipment allow them to handle intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, particularly gathering data about enemy military installations and coastal shipping and keeping watch for ground troops.
SWCC also perform search and rescue for combat and humanitarian assistance, help law enforcement agencies, and train foreign units.[12]
Special warfare boat operator (SB) rating
The special warfare boat operator (SB) rating was established on 1 October 2006, under the same order that created the
Navy rating | Abbreviation | Pay grade | Special warfare rating | Abbreviation | Rank insignia |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Master chief petty officer | MCPO | E-9 | Master chief special boat operator | SBCM | |
Senior chief petty officer | SCPO | E-8 | Senior chief special boat operator | SBCS | |
Chief petty officer | CPO | E-7 | Chief special boat operator | SBC | |
Petty officer first class | PO1 | E-6 | Special boat operator, first class | SB1 | |
Petty officer second class | PO2 | E-5 | Special boat operator, second class | SB2 | |
Petty officer third class | PO3 | E-4 | Special boat operator, third class | SB3 |
Special warfare combatant-craft crewman warfare specialty
Another important development was the recognition of the knowledge, skills, and training of SWCC crewmen as a warfare specialty, represented by the NEC 5352 and later denoted by the award of a military device or service badge.
For a brief period, qualified sailors were awarded no device; boat captain-qualified sailors wore the Small Craft Insignia created for and worn by riverine sections during the Vietnam War. Still earlier than this, the Small Craft pin was worn by those with the 9533 NEC. Many other units within the Navy awarded the Small Craft badge, and there was controversy regarding the original intent associated with its creation. The matter has been somewhat settled as the badge has in the 21st century been awarded only to conventional riverine units under the NECC and SWCC boat captains, who wear it in addition to the SWCC device.[14]
Qualification insignia
The special warfare combatant-craft crewman insignia is a Navy qualification badge. First proposed in 1996, an initial version was approved for wear in 2001.
On 19 August 2016, the original insignia was replaced with three insignias that indicate qualification level: SWCC Basic, SWCC Senior, and SWCC Master. The SWCC Basic Insignia is a 2.5-by-1.25-inch silver matte metal pin depicting a Mark V Special Operations Craft atop a bow wave in front of a naval enlisted cutlass crossed with a cocked flintlock pistol. The SWCC Senior insignia adds an upright anchor in the background. The SWCC Master insignia adds a banner with three gold stars on the upper portion of the anchor.[15]
Training
To become a special warfare combatant-craft crewman, a service member must apply and be accepted to special programs, complete a special boot camp (called 800 divisions) alongside SEAL (SO) candidates, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) candidates, Diver Candidates and Aviation Air Rescue candidates.
SWCC and SEAL candidates then go together to Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSWPS, also called BUD/S Prep) in Great Lakes Chicago, then to Coronado, California, to attend Basic Underwater Demolition Orientation/or SEAL Orientation (BO). Upon testing out of BO, SWCC candidates attend Basic Crewman Selection (BCS) while their SEAL candidate counterparts attend the 1st phase of
Pipeline
Applicants must:
- Meet specific eyesight requirements: 20/40 best eye; 20/70 worst eye; correctable to 20/25 with no color blindness
- Meet the minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score: AR+VE=103, MC=51
- Be 30 years old or younger; min. 17
- Be a U.S. citizen[16]
Initial SWCC training consists of:
- 8-week Naval Special Warfare Prep School-(BUD/S Prep) Great Lakes, Illinois
- 3-week BUD/S Orientation at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California
- 7-week Basic Crewman Selection (BCS) at the Naval Special Warfare Center, NAB Coronado.
- 7-week Basic Crewman Training (BCT) at the Naval Special Warfare Center, NAB Coronado.
- 21-week SWCC Crewman Qualification Training (CQT) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado[17]
Screening
To proceed to basic crewman training, a trainee must pass this test:
- Swim 500 yards under 13 minutes (Side Stroke / Breast Stroke)
- Rest 10 minutes
- 50 push-ups within 2 minutes
- Rest 2 minutes
- 50 sit-ups within 2 minutes
- Rest 2 minutes
- 6 pull-ups within 2 minutes
- Rest 10 minutes
- 1.5-mile run under 12 minutes
- Pass a basic underwater demolition/SEAL physical fitness screening test in boot camp and in the delayed entry program in order to qualify
But the Navy says it expects successful candidates to perform more like this:
- Swim 500 yards under 10 minutes (Side Stroke / Breast Stroke)
- Rest 10 minutes
- 70 push-ups within 2 minutes
- Rest 2 minutes
- 70 sit-ups within 2 minutes
- Rest 2 minutes
- 10 pull-ups within 2 minutes
- Rest 10 minutes
- 1.5-mile run under 10 minutes
- Pass a basic underwater demolition/SEAL physical fitness screening test in boot camp and in the delayed entry program in order to qualify[18][19]
The two-month Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSW Prep or BUD/s Prep) takes place at Great Lakes, Illinois. NSW Prep has one goal: Improve a SWCC candidates physical readiness for the grueling trials of Basic Crewman Selection (BCS). Students are introduced to the obstacle course, soft sand runs, knot tying, open water swimming, water rescue, drownproofing, and basic navigational skills. Many candidates will quit during the first three weeks. After they pass Pre-BUD/s, candidates will go to BUD/S Orientation at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California. Here they will spend the rest of their training and the next three weeks preparing for their pipeline along with SEAL candidates.[20]
Basic Crewman Selection (BCS)
Instructors of the SWCC Basic Crewman Selection course train, develop, and assess SWCC candidates in physical conditioning, water competency, teamwork, and mental tenacity. This course starts with a three-week indoctrination. The SWCC basic crewman training last seven weeks. Physical conditioning with running, swimming, and calisthenics grows harder as the weeks progress. Students abilities, mental fortitude and teamwork skills are tested during an arduous 4-day evolution involving little sleep, constant exposure to the elements, underway boat and swimming events, and a test of navigational skills and boat tactics. This test is referred to as the Crucible or "The Tour". SWCC students participate in weekly timed runs, timed obstacle course evolutions, pool, bay and ocean swims, and learn small-boat seamanship. Upon the completion of SWCC Basic Crewman Selection(BCS), students advance to Basic Crewman Training(BCT).[20]
Crewman Qualification Training (CQT)
During the 21-week crewman qualification training, instructors train and evaluate SWCC candidates in basic weapons, seamanship, casualty care, and small unit tactics. In the first phase, Basic, candidates learn first aid, small arms, heavy weapons, basic combat skills, engineering, and towing and trailering procedures for SWCC boats. Candidates must pass tests in every subject to move on.
The final, or Advanced, phase includes communications,
Candidates that have made it through the pipeline are awarded their SWCC pins, designating them as a Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) rating. They are subsequently assigned to a
All this training means SWCC sailors are recognized as the U.S. military's premier "small boat" operators. SWCCs are qualified to operate with other units, service branches (particularly those within
Further training
SWCCs receive broad individual and detachment in-house training and attend schools as needed to support Naval Special Warfare Command. Before reporting to a Special Boat Team, SWCCs attend a 12-week language course, where they must learn a language assigned to them according to the needs of their respective teams. SWCC attend Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School to receive tactical boat training.
Every SWCC receives basic medic assistant training for combat lifesaving skills. After reporting to the teams SWCCs may attend schools relative to their respective individual specialities and or mission readiness schools such as desert survival, jungle survival, cold water survival, special operations combat medic training, naval special warfare combat fighting course, fast-rope, air assault, designated marksman school, tactical driving, and many others offered within Naval Special warfare.
Advanced equipment
SWCC often go to new U.S. Department of Defense schools according to the needs of their respective team and adaptable mission set. SWCCs also receive in-house training with the latest technology, such as advanced radio communications,
Combat medic training
- BLS & Medic Assistant Training
Combat first aid and lifesaving, emergency response, emergency life support, evaluation, water search and rescue,
Because of this, all SWCCs receive ongoing and repeated in-house training in combat first aid, basic life support, airway management and oxygen administration,
Many NSW medics originally came from the hospital corpsman rating. Thus, while not all hospital corpsmen are combat medics, and not all combat medics are hospital corpsmen, all SWCCs are by the general definition trained combat medics – particularly after repeated workup cycles and ongoing training have refined their skills to a level comparable with conventional combat medics and civilian EMTs.
Some SWCCs have attended (and continue to attend) civilian EMT or paramedic courses (either funded or completed through their own ambition); and several of these men have enjoyed an ad hoc, de facto status as "docs" serving in their detachments as medics in the past.
A more recent development is that designated SWCC medics attend the Special Operations Combat Medic course of instruction, and attend Naval Special Warfare-specific-based courses. As of 2012, most attend 18 Delta
- NSW combat medics and lead medics
Within the NSW community, the title of SWCC detachment "medic" applies to SB (SWCC) members who have completed Special Operations Combat Medic course and been designated as lead medics for a detachment. This training is equivalent or exceeds civilian
These men are among the rare exceptions to the general rule that "all Navy combat medics are hospital corpsmen". Because of changes leading to the establishment of the SB rating, non-corpsmen SWCCs attend the course,[21] become qualified NSW combat medics, and serve primarily as medics for the rest of their careers within Naval Special Warfare, in addition to performing the various other roles of a SWCC crewman.
Special warfare combat medics are the primary or lead combat medics in a SWCC detachment. Previously, SEAL corpsmen served as the lead medics in larger SWCC detachments and managed shoreside clinics at special boat teams, managing sick call, training all SWCCs as medic assistants, and rendering emergency medical care to both SWCCs and SEALs while deployed in the field. These SEALs contributed greatly to the special boat teams and the professional development of their SWCC combat medic counterparts. While readiness is still achieved by pooling of crew skills through medic assistant quals, SWCCs are now taking on lead medic roles within their community capitalizing on the benefit of a stable maritime platform, additional medical equipment, and the ability to provide longer-term stabilization of casualties on board their craft.
Aerial deployment training
All SWCC personnel are trained as military parachutists; some may also attend the U.S. Army Air Assault School.
- Maritime craft aerial deployment system
SWCCs can drop boats from aircraft using specialized equipment. The Maritime Craft Aerial Deployment System (MCADS) drops an 11-meter RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) rigged with four large parachutes from the back of a
- Maritime external air transportation system
SWCC personnel can also use Army
A variant of the MEATS insertion method was seen in the movies Act of Valor and Apocalypse Now.[24]
SWCC units
Insignia | Team | Deployment | HQ | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Special Boat Team 12 | Worldwide | Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California | Known for: Rescued 73 sailors during a critical at sea rescue mission in the Sulu-Archipelago. | |
Special Boat Team 20 | Worldwide | Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia |
Known for: Battle of Umm Qasr, Rescued 9 people from a DUKW tour incident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, utilizing a Mark V SOC.[25] | |
Special Boat Team 22 | Worldwide | John C. Stennis Space Center, Mississippi |
Known for: riverine warfare – only team to operate the SOC-R.
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Gallery
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SOC-R operated by Special Boat team 22
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GAU-17/A mounted on a SOC-R, being operated by a SWCC operator during a training exercise.
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SWCC personal attached to NSCT-1 unload diving gear from a night operation.
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Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen from SBT-22 link up during a free-fall parachute drop. Near Key West, FL.
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Special Warfare Boat Operator instructs a Hospital Corpsman from CRF-1 during Tactical Convoy Training.
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A SWCC aboard crew fires a MK-19 grenade launcher
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A SWCC team is dropped off and prepares to patrol the beach during a casualty assistance and evacuation scenario
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Special Boat Team 20 conduct boat ops
See also
- Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS)
- Special Missions Training Center (SMTC)
- United States Navy SEALs
- Mark V Special Operations Craft
- Special Operations Craft – Riverine (SOC-R)
- List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
- Badges of the United States Navy
- Military badges of the United States
- Uniforms of the United States Navy
- Obsolete badges of the United States military
References
- ^ "WHO WE ARE". SEALSWCC.COM (a U.S. Navy site). Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Introduction". Seal.navy.mil. Retrieved 19 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, GlobalSecurity.org, retrieved 11 July 2007
- ^ "'No survivors' in U.S. chopper crash". CNN. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ "Navy helps Philippines' sea defense". warboats. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "DIRTY BOAT GUYS: AN EXPANSIVE HISTORY OF NAVY SWCC". coffeeordie. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ Villamor, Felipe (14 June 2017). "U.S. Troops in Besieged City of Marawi, Philippine Military Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ https://news.usni.org/2021/07/15/first-female-navy-special-operations-sailor-graduates-from-training
- ^ "Naval Special Warfare Welcomes CQT Class 115; First Woman Operator". DVIDS. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "The Tour - Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen Hell Week". United States Navy. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ https://etoolbox.cnrc.navy.mil/assets/career/pdf/w11-0110.pdf
- ^ "Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB)" (PDF). cool.osd.mil. May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ "Missions". Seal.navy.mil. Retrieved 19 May 2011.[dead link]
- ^ Uniform Policy Update, NAVADMIN 174/16 Archived 9 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine, CNO Washington DC, dated 4 August 2016, last accessed 10 September 2016
- ^ SWCC, Navy. "SWCC Qualifications".
- ^ SWCC, Navy. "SWCC Career".
- ^ "NAVY SWCC PST CALCULATOR". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "SPECIAL WARFARE COMBATANT-CRAFT CREWMAN (SWCC)" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d "WE AIN'T NAVY SEALS: THE PATH TO BECOMING A NAVY SWCC". 15 January 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Med.navy.mil [dead link]
- ^ "Special Boat Operators Reach Milestone MCADS Drop". Retrieved 18 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "SWCC - MEATS". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "U.S. NAVY CWO SPECIAL WARFARE BOAT OPERATOR (SB) COLLAR DEVICE". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Schept, Susan (10 July 2010), "Navy, CG assist in Philadelphia boat rescue", Navy Times, archived from the original on 29 January 2013, retrieved 12 July 2010
Further reading
- Wise, Harold Lee (2007). Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf 1987–88. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-970-5.
External links
- U.S. Navy SEAL & SWCC official website