NOSC Austin Qualifies Second Class Swimmers

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carrel Regis, Navy Operational Support Center Austin

AUSTIN, Texas (NNS) -- The Operational Support Unit (OSU) of Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Austin held a second class swimmer qualification test, July 20, at the swimming facilities located on the campus of the Texas School for the Deaf. The qualification is designed to test the abilities of more experienced swimmers and serve as a requirement for reserve mobilization opportunities in small boat units and shipboard embarked security teams.

The qualification process requires Sailors toperform a platform jump (minimum of 5feet), swim 25 meters through four differentstrokes (freestyle, breast stroke, side strokeand elementary back stroke), and a 5 minuteprone and back float, respectively.

Eight Sailors qualified Sunday morningunder the guidance and leadership ofBoatswain's Mate 1st Class Sybil Hay andher training team. Hay and her team spear-headed the training from conception toexecution, organizing the process fromobtaining command approval to requestingthe venue and conducting the tests forSailors.

“I just wanted to do my part in helping Sailors get the needed qualifications,” said Hay. “There is a need for some volunteers to mobilize with a small boat unit based out of California, a lot of Sailors expressed interest to go, but they don't have the second class swimmer qualification and don't know how to get it.” This training provides the necessary qualifications allowing reservists to fill the required slots for such teams throughout the Navy.

LT. John Wilkes, a participant and acting OSU operations officer, recognized the opportunity for innovative training and expressed his satisfaction with being able to utilize practical application outside of theclassroom. “I hope to motivate and lead by example, that it doesn't matter how long you have been in the Navy, qualifications like this are good to have on your record,” Wilkes said. “I commend BM1 Hay and all the other OSU Sailors involved who made the effort and set aside time to help their shipmates out,” he added.

Cmdr. Brett Fereday, NOSC Austin commanding officer, said he didn't have a problem approving the request to conduct the swimming qualification. “I am

Sailors assigned to the Navy Operational Support (NOSC) Austin watch as the different swimming strokes are demonstrated in preparation for the second class swimmer qualification test.

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Sybil Hay, left, provides words of encouragement to a Sailor during the prone float part of the second class swimmer qualification test.

glad that the evolution went well and now we have qualified Sailors who can be assets to the fleet and ultimately give the NOSC confidence in our Sailors on what they can contribute in the future,” he said.

Fereday advocates Sailors getting out andlearning more about their ratings andexperiencing better ways to serve thecommunity and utilize their skill sets. “OSU is a mixture of different rates andtheir job is to support other units and theNOSC,” he said. “I was surprised by therequest but also impressed by theinitiative.”

NOSC Austin is committed to the NavyReserve mission of providing highly-trained Sailors with valued capabilitiesready to serve the fleet at any time. Due to the success and effectiveness of the evolution, additional swimmer qualifications are being considered during future drill weekends.

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Sybil Hay, left, conducts a safe-ty brief prior to the second class swimmer qualification test.