A Research Proposal
Quality of Training for U.S. Navy Non-swimmer Recruits
name
Webster University

Introduction of the Problem
Due to the nature of the job as Sailors, it is uncommon for any type of vessels to suffer different disasters such as fire, explosion, or a sinking. Sailors face the possibility of having to abandon ship on short notice if it collides with other vessels. Sailors working on the flight deck also risk injury or death from falling overboard and from hazards associated with handling cargo during inclement weather. It is a simple explanation why everyone who enters the U.S. Navy must pass a Navy Third Class Swim Test, the initial test conducted in basic training boot camp for enlisted personnel. However, Great Lakes, Recruit Training Command mission statement are not only to ensure Recruits passing the swim test but, training new Sailors with a sense of purpose. To supply the fleet with top-quality, basically-trained Sailors ready for follow-on training.
Recruit Training Command trains more than 37,000 volunteer civilian recruits annually. Each year, immediately following in processing, these 37,000 recruits meet with highly trained Recruit Training Command water survival instructors to pass their swim qualification. Approximately 85 percent of recruits meet or exceed the third class swimming standards on the first attempt. The third class swimming standard includes jumping off a ten-foot platform, swimming 50 meters, performing a five-minute prone float, and utilizing coveralls as a floatation device. The remaining 15 percent are identified as non-swimmers and continues with their bootcamp training program while working to meet their third class swim qualification once a day. This means that the non-swimmers are absent from the basic skill training that they are supposed to be receiving because they have to attend their swimming qualification remediation. This leads to the question of the quality of basic skill training that non-swimmers are getting while in bootcamp.

Statement of the Problem
Normally, three Recruit Division Commanders (RDC) are assigned to train a division and to ensure the welfare of its recruits. A typical division could be between 50-100 recruits. The Recruit Training Command training program attempts to teach the basic information and techniques necessary for these recruits to be an effective Sailor. Before the end of eight weeks or sometimes six weeks, each recruit must have satisfactorily completed all events prerequisite the day prior to Battle Stations. Top three of the twelve prerequisites listed from the Battle Stations guideline is the “Third Class Swimmer Qualified.” Some of the remaining list includes: Fit for Full Duty stamp, meaning recruits met all medical and physical requirements, inprocessing stamp, weapons simulator or waiver stamp, and weapons live fire one stamp. Additionally, all five Fire Fighting stamps (Basic DC, FF1, FF2, TT, FF applications) must be completed, Physical Fitness Assessment Final, and passed Academic Test Three (there are three academic testing). Recruits not meeting all prerequisites must be ASMO no later than 1600 the day prior to Battle Stations One. To achieve all these prerequisites, Recruit Division Commanders follows a set schedule provided by the Master Training Schedule (MTS). This MTS has the specific location and time for every single events required of each division.
Recruit Division Commanders has to provide non-swimmers at least 15 opportunities to remediate. The designated times for remediation are limited to 0800 or 1000 Monday to Friday and it takes 30 minutes for non-swimmers to march their way to the Combat Pool, building XXX located in Camp john. During non-swimmer absence, the remaining of the division are attending training in accordance with MTS such as personal grooming, proper wear of uniforms, leadership, and teamworks. These are valuable training in building top-quality Sailors.
Purpose of the Study
A review of the literature indicates a lack of information related to U.S. Navy Third Class Swimmer qualification. The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a difference in performance between a swimmer and a non-swimmer recruit. This research will prove or disprove the assumption that non-swimmer recruits will perform or will not perform successfully after graduating from basic training bootcamp.
Rationale of the Study
The result of this study might help the U.S. Navy leaders to consider or not consider the impact of accepting non-swimmers as U.S. Navy. The results of this study might also assist in creating methodology of improving the U.S. Navy bootcamp training program.
Research Questions
This study sought to address the following primary research question:
What factors affect the Master Training Specialist qualification of a first time Instructor assigned to a U.S. Navy training organization?
To ensure that the primary question could be thoroughly addressed, this study first addressed the following supporting subquestions:
1. What factors influences a Sailor to qualify Master Training Specialist (MTS)?
2. What work-related external factors prevent a Sailor from qualifying MTS?
3. What non work-related external factors prevent a Sailor from qualifying MTS?
4. What internal factors prevent a Sailor from qualifying MTS?
Significance of the Study
The study is significant for the following reasons. First, the results of the study may identify the top-quality Sailors. ………………
Definition of Terms
The following are the definition for general and specific terms within the parameters of the study.
This study will determine if there is a difference in the performance between swimmer and non-swimmer recruits.

——-training received by aims to define the meaning of “quality of U.S. Navy bootcamp training” for the purpose of non-swimmer recruits in support of Recruit Training Command mission statement. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions.
1. How much basic training time do a non-swimmer recruit loses while trying to pass the swim qualification?
2. How can a non-swimmer catch-up on training that they missed while taking swim remediation.
i. Their hard card will be documented.
Page eight of the recruit hardcard is used specifically for recording swim qualification attempts. Entries will be stamped in chronological order and the appropriate blocks will be filled out by Pool staff members.

Definition of Terms
Third-Class Swim Test is a test to determine if a person can stay afloat and survive without the use of a personal Floatation Device (PFD) in open water long enough to be rescued in a man-overboard situation. The 3rd class swimmer qualification is the minimum test entry-level requirement for all the U.S. Navy Personnel.
Battle Stations-21 is an exercise designed to assess recruits while they demonstrate the technical skills and teamworks ability learned during basic training to accomplish fleet-oriented tasks.
ASMO Assignment Memorandum Order is a system for transferring recruits with minimal administrative procedure, yet allows for strict accountability.
Recruit Hardcard is the physical and chronological record of completed training objectives for basic training.

Babie, E. R., (1983). The practice of social research, thirteenth edition.

NAVCRUITRACOM M-1552.1 CH-4. (2015). Recruit Training Manual. Great Lakes, IL: U.S. Government Printing Office. Great Lakes, IL: Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

RTCINST 1552.2B (2010). Format Guidelines for Recruit Personnel Data Record (HARDCARD) Great Lakes, IL: Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

NETC P1552/16 (07-07). Navy Swimming and Water Survival Instructors Manual. Retrieved from https://www.netc.navy.mil/nascweb/model_manager/files/swim/netc_1552/1552-16_JUL07_(combined).pdf

NAVCRUITRACOMINST 3000.16. Special Programs Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Great Lakes, IL: Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

Walsh, B., Water Survival Instructors Critical to Fleet Training. America’s Navy, NNS120702-06. Retrieved from http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68138

http://www.navy.com/joining/ways-to-join/enlisted-sailors.html
US Navy Basic Training Swimming Requirements Last Updated: Jan 28, 2015 | By Angela Brady – See more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/390616-us-navy-basic-training-swimming-requirements/#sthash.K9n5blw1.dpuf
References Officer Training Command: Pre-Commissioning Swim Requirements Villanova University NROTC: Description of Swim Qualifications – See more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/390616-us-navy-basic-training-swimming-requirements/#sthash.K9n5blw1.dpuf
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=2642
Recruit Swim Qualifications Nearing 90 Percent

Story Number: NNS020726-16Release Date: 7/26/2002 6:00:00 PM
A A A
By Helen Concepcion, RTC Great Lakes Public Affairs
http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/prepare.asp
recruit training command
basic training at the Navy’s only boot camp

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/For-Future-Sailors.htm
NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND

A Research Proposal
Quality of Training for U.S. Navy Non-swimmer Recruits
name
Webster University

Introduction of the Problem
Due to the nature of the job as Sailors, it is uncommon for any type of vessels to suffer different disasters such as fire, explosion, or a sinking. Sailors face the possibility of having to abandon ship on short notice if it collides with other vessels. Sailors working on the flight deck also risk injury or death from falling overboard and from hazards associated with handling cargo during inclement weather. It is a simple explanation why everyone who enters the U.S. Navy must pass a Navy Third Class Swim Test, the initial test conducted in basic training boot camp for enlisted personnel. However, Great Lakes, Recruit Training Command mission statement are not only to ensure Recruits passing the swim test but, training new Sailors with a sense of purpose. To supply the fleet with top-quality, basically-trained Sailors ready for follow-on training.
Recruit Training Command trains more than 37,000 volunteer civilian recruits annually. Each year, immediately following in processing, these 37,000 recruits meet with highly trained Recruit Training Command water survival instructors to pass their swim qualification. Approximately 85 percent of recruits meet or exceed the third class swimming standards on the first attempt. The third class swimming standard includes jumping off a ten-foot platform, swimming 50 meters, performing a five-minute prone float, and utilizing coveralls as a floatation device. The remaining 15 percent are identified as non-swimmers and continues with their bootcamp training program while working to meet their third class swim qualification once a day. This means that the non-swimmers are absent from the basic skill training that they are supposed to be receiving because they have to attend their swimming qualification remediation. This leads to the question of the quality of basic skill training that non-swimmers are getting while in bootcamp.

Statement of the Problem
Normally, three Recruit Division Commanders (RDC) are assigned to train a division and to ensure the welfare of its recruits. A typical division could be between 50-100 recruits. The Recruit Training Command training program attempts to teach the basic information and techniques necessary for these recruits to be an effective Sailor. Before the end of eight weeks or sometimes six weeks, each recruit must have satisfactorily completed all events prerequisite the day prior to Battle Stations. Top three of the twelve prerequisites listed from the Battle Stations guideline is the “Third Class Swimmer Qualified.” Some of the remaining list includes: Fit for Full Duty stamp, meaning recruits met all medical and physical requirements, inprocessing stamp, weapons simulator or waiver stamp, and weapons live fire one stamp. Additionally, all five Fire Fighting stamps (Basic DC, FF1, FF2, TT, FF applications) must be completed, Physical Fitness Assessment Final, and passed Academic Test Three (there are three academic testing). Recruits not meeting all prerequisites must be ASMO no later than 1600 the day prior to Battle Stations One. To achieve all these prerequisites, Recruit Division Commanders follows a set schedule provided by the Master Training Schedule (MTS). This MTS has the specific location and time for every single events required of each division.
Recruit Division Commanders has to provide non-swimmers at least 15 opportunities to remediate. The designated times for remediation are limited to 0800 or 1000 Monday to Friday and it takes 30 minutes for non-swimmers to march their way to the Combat Pool, building XXX located in Camp john. During non-swimmer absence, the remaining of the division are attending training in accordance with MTS such as personal grooming, proper wear of uniforms, leadership, and teamworks. These are valuable training in building top-quality Sailors.
Purpose of the Study
A review of the literature indicates a lack of information related to U.S. Navy Third Class Swimmer qualification. The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a difference in performance between a swimmer and a non-swimmer recruit. This research will prove or disprove the assumption that non-swimmer recruits will perform or will not perform successfully after graduating from basic training bootcamp.
Rationale of the Study
The result of this study might help the U.S. Navy leaders to consider or not consider the impact of accepting non-swimmers as U.S. Navy. The results of this study might also assist in creating methodology of improving the U.S. Navy bootcamp training program.
Research Questions
This study sought to address the following primary research question:
What factors affect the Master Training Specialist qualification of a first time Instructor assigned to a U.S. Navy training organization?
To ensure that the primary question could be thoroughly addressed, this study first addressed the following supporting subquestions:
1. What factors influences a Sailor to qualify Master Training Specialist (MTS)?
2. What work-related external factors prevent a Sailor from qualifying MTS?
3. What non work-related external factors prevent a Sailor from qualifying MTS?
4. What internal factors prevent a Sailor from qualifying MTS?
Significance of the Study
The study is significant for the following reasons. First, the results of the study may identify the top-quality Sailors. ………………
Definition of Terms
The following are the definition for general and specific terms within the parameters of the study.
This study will determine if there is a difference in the performance between swimmer and non-swimmer recruits.

——-training received by aims to define the meaning of “quality of U.S. Navy bootcamp training” for the purpose of non-swimmer recruits in support of Recruit Training Command mission statement. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions.
1. How much basic training time do a non-swimmer recruit loses while trying to pass the swim qualification?
2. How can a non-swimmer catch-up on training that they missed while taking swim remediation.
i. Their hard card will be documented.
Page eight of the recruit hardcard is used specifically for recording swim qualification attempts. Entries will be stamped in chronological order and the appropriate blocks will be filled out by Pool staff members.

Definition of Terms
Third-Class Swim Test is a test to determine if a person can stay afloat and survive without the use of a personal Floatation Device (PFD) in open water long enough to be rescued in a man-overboard situation. The 3rd class swimmer qualification is the minimum test entry-level requirement for all the U.S. Navy Personnel.
Battle Stations-21 is an exercise designed to assess recruits while they demonstrate the technical skills and teamworks ability learned during basic training to accomplish fleet-oriented tasks.
ASMO Assignment Memorandum Order is a system for transferring recruits with minimal administrative procedure, yet allows for strict accountability.
Recruit Hardcard is the physical and chronological record of completed training objectives for basic training.

Babie, E. R., (1983). The practice of social research, thirteenth edition.

NAVCRUITRACOM M-1552.1 CH-4. (2015). Recruit Training Manual. Great Lakes, IL: U.S. Government Printing Office. Great Lakes, IL: Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

RTCINST 1552.2B (2010). Format Guidelines for Recruit Personnel Data Record (HARDCARD) Great Lakes, IL: Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

NETC P1552/16 (07-07). Navy Swimming and Water Survival Instructors Manual. Retrieved from https://www.netc.navy.mil/nascweb/model_manager/files/swim/netc_1552/1552-16_JUL07_(combined).pdf

NAVCRUITRACOMINST 3000.16. Special Programs Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Great Lakes, IL: Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

Walsh, B., Water Survival Instructors Critical to Fleet Training. America’s Navy, NNS120702-06. Retrieved from http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68138

http://www.navy.com/joining/ways-to-join/enlisted-sailors.html
US Navy Basic Training Swimming Requirements Last Updated: Jan 28, 2015 | By Angela Brady – See more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/390616-us-navy-basic-training-swimming-requirements/#sthash.K9n5blw1.dpuf
References Officer Training Command: Pre-Commissioning Swim Requirements Villanova University NROTC: Description of Swim Qualifications – See more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/390616-us-navy-basic-training-swimming-requirements/#sthash.K9n5blw1.dpuf
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=2642
Recruit Swim Qualifications Nearing 90 Percent

Story Number: NNS020726-16Release Date: 7/26/2002 6:00:00 PM
A A A
By Helen Concepcion, RTC Great Lakes Public Affairs
http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/prepare.asp
recruit training command
basic training at the Navy’s only boot camp

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/For-Future-Sailors.htm
NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND