Ball State offers a Water Survival Rescue Training course for ROTC cadets to be acclimated in a certain type of environment. Nathan Dunn, Ball State ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Counselor in the Department of Military Science, provides a description of the training offered.

“This is a yearly event for all Ball State ROTC Cadets that is conducted in the beginning of the Spring semester.” Dunn said. “It is a must attempt requirement for completion of the ROTC program.”

As a ROTC cadet, college students participate in this program that trains them for a future role as an officer in the U.S Army, Navy, or Air Force, while combining their academic endeavors with military leadership and skills training. ROTC allows cadets to earn their degree while preparing for military service. Certain curriculum at Ball State University helps cadets build skills and techniques that one must develop to be able to do work in the role to the best of their ability.

“The Army’s Combat Water Survival Test (CWST) assesses a cadet’s ability to function safely in a water environment,” Dunn said.

A ROTC cadet must meet three requirements in the Water Survival Training Program. The first one is a 15-meter swim, cadets must swim 15 meters while wearing their Army combat uniform (ACU), boots, load-bearing equipment, and carrying a mock M-4 rifle. The second is a 3-Meter drop, cadets must walk off a 3-meter diving board blindfolded, holding a mock M-4 rifle and LBE, and swim to the side of the pool without losing the rifle. The third is an equipment ditch, cadets, wearing LBE and holding a mock M-4 rifle, must step backwards into the water and submerge completely, releasing the rifle and equipment before swimming to the surface. Along with those three requirements, cadets may also be required to demonstrate proficiency in treading water for a set period, and swimming for set period, with and without equipment.

Because of this course, ROTC cadets will be able to gain experience with aquatics in a controlled and safe environment, preparing them for whatever lies ahead in their journey with ROTC.

“This event build confidence around water and lifesaving skills for our cadets here at Ball State,” Dunn said.