"Unfazed by the Heat Wave: Naval Academy Cadets Undergo Intense Summer Combat Swimming Training"

Developing Maritime Survival and Adaptation Skills
Through Customized Training Based on Individual Swimming Abilities

The Korea Naval Academy (hereafter referred to as the Academy) has been conducting combat swimming training for five days from July 28 to August 1 at the indoor swimming pool and maritime training center within the Academy.

Combat swimming training is a traditional program that cadets are required to participate in every year. Through this training, Academy cadets will develop survival and adaptation skills at sea, which are essential qualities for future Navy and Marine Corps officers.

The training is divided into four levels according to swimming ability, ranging from the Lifeguard Class to the Level 3 Class. Each class receives customized training for over four hours a day, covering everything from basic swimming techniques to lifesaving drills.

The Lifeguard Class consists of cadets who already hold a 'lifesaving certification' and focuses on mastering long-distance swimming to serve as safety personnel during water training. The Level 1 Class aims to obtain the 'lifesaving certification' through lifesaving drills. The Level 2 Class improves maritime survival skills by learning strokes such as breaststroke and treading water, while the Level 3 Class enhances adaptation to the maritime environment through systematic basic swimming instruction.

On July 31, in particular, all cadets participated in a long-distance swimming drill, covering approximately 3 kilometers in open water without any equipment, to assess the maritime survival skills they had acquired during the training. During this drill, cadets developed strong mental and physical endurance as well as camaraderie by swimming through the waves alongside their peers and upperclassmen.

Park Mihye, Director of Physical Education (Lieutenant Colonel), who supervised the training, stated, "Given the nature of the Navy, where future operations will take place at sea, it is essential for cadets to develop survival and adaptation skills in the maritime environment. I am extremely proud of the cadets who have completed this intense training in the midst of the summer heat."

Meanwhile, the Academy is making every effort to prevent safety accidents by conducting safety assessments before and after training, implementing measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, and assigning safety personnel to each class level.