Dive, Dive Dive!!!!

Wake up time (0445) Arrived at home (1900).

The day started with a continuation of swim qualification so that we could get to cws 2.  This level requires that you swim 50 meters in full cammies, boots, weighted vest, rifle and helmet using one of three approved strokes. After which to tow a buddy who is wearing the same amount of gear and holding each of your packs 25 meters. The last time I attempted this qual was in bootcamp where I had a near drowning experience so needless to say I was a little nervous.  I decided to attempt the breast stoke after observing that those who were struggling the least were using this stroke.  It worked for about the first 15-20 at which point I decided to switch of a modified side stoke.....this did not work.   O.K. last ditch effort, I try the back stroke, BAD MISTAKE.  As soon as I roll to my back the helmet fills with water and drags my head under.  Trying to salvage the situation, I roll back over to resume the breast stroke only to find that with each stroke I go deeper and deeper unable to get that one good breath of air.  Panic sets in and at around the 35 meter mark I scramble for the side of the pool thus FAILING cws 2.  So whats that mean, I get the pleasure of retrying this again on Monday, and every other day until I don't drown.  Because there are 300 lieutenants trying to do the qual and then a handful more needing cws 1, the rest of the morning is fairly uneventful with a 4 hour break.  I however was not allowed to leave the base, so I milled around the barracks and took a little nap.  The afternoon was filled with classes like Operational Risk Management, Base Safety (every officer is a Safety Officer), Study skills assessment, and a weekend safety brief.  I then waited 1.5 hours for the student staff to finally let us go home.  The weekend has rest and relaxation written all over it!