MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Beneath the surface of the murky water, amidst the mud and weeds, Marines and Sailors from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command's 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion and Marine Special Operations School conducted dive operations at Mile Hammock Bay, here, Oct. 30 and 31.
Navy divers from 2d MSOB and 2d Marine Division's 2d Reconnaissance Battalion led the training, which included underwater navigation between points marked by buoys. When navigating buoy to buoy under water, the divers were only allowed to surface for emergencies or if prompted to do so by the experienced Navy divers who patrolled the surface of the dive site in a Zodiac boat.
According to Senior Chief Petty Officer James W. Costin, a Master Diver with 2d MSOB, there are many technical and tactical elements to remember when diving and this exercise was designed to keep the divers’ skills sharp.
“A skill set not practiced is a skill set lost, it’s as simple as that,” said Costin. “They need to remember how to do dive operations smoothly and efficiently so their mission is the primary thought in their heads.”
Divers used a closed-circuit oxygen re-breather, an underwater breathing apparatus that allows the diver to conduct covert and tactical dive insertions.
“You can travel under water with no bubbles on the surface so the diver can go undetected swimming through a waterway,” said Costin. “They can use [closed-circuit re-breather] when they need to infiltrate an area, accomplish their objective and extract covertly, probably during a cycle of darkness.”
The divers conducted the underwater navigation course in two- or three-man buddy teams.
“We preach the buddy system all the time,” said Costin. “One of the most important things to remember about diving is there are no individuals. You always dive with a buddy.”
While submerged, the divers utilized underwater communications techniques. According to Petty Officer First Class Chuck D. TenBroeck, a Navy diver with 2d Recon Battalion, most underwater communication involves hand signals, although in low-visibility conditions, tugs on the line attached between buddy divers or squeezes on an arm or leg are used to communicate.
According to TenBroeck, each buddy team has a designated navigator who utilizes a tactical board, a plastic device equipped with a compass and a timer. The navigator directs the team’s movement and keeps track of time so they can estimate when they are near their mark. The dive buddies swim and stay alert for debris and various obstacles in their path.
Divers check the condition of their fellow divers’ and their diver equipment frequently during a dive. Use of oxygen rebreathers below the surface in low-visibility can result in accidents and injuries if safety isn’t a primary concern for everyone involved in the training or operation.
TenBroeck, who was in charge of the dive exercise, briefed the divers on safety issues at various stages of training and checked equipment on each diver before giving them the go-ahead to enter the water. He was pleased with how the Marines performed.
“All the divers were excited about the exercise,” said TenBroeck. “This was good work between the Sailors at the dive locker and the MARSOC Marines.”
As with most specialized training, TenBroeck noted the importance of a consistent effort required to maintain diving skills.
“These exercises keep Marines proficient in navigation skills for clandestine, amphibious operations,” explained TenBroeck. “We hope to keep these dive operations a monthly training event at 2d MSOB.”
Active duty Marines and Sailors interested in joining MARSOC can contact the Marine Special Operations School at (910) 450-3349/3123 (DSN 750-3349/3123) or visit us online at www.marsoc.usmc.mil/recruiting.