Does the Army still do drown proofing?

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:53:56 -0400

When I was stationed at Fort Stewart, GA from 98" to 2001 we did drown proofing once a year. We went to the pool and used our pants as a improvised water flotation devices. It was actually entertaining to watch all the SMs who couldn't swim so they were in the kiddie side of the pool. I was just wondering if the Army still does this.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 11:56 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:56:36 -0400

During phase 1 of Army Diver training at Ft Leonard Wood in 2013-2014 I witnessed on several occassions army drown proofing.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:00:49 -0400

We still do it once a year regularly and anytime preparing for a water jump we do what we call wet silk training!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 12:16 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:16:40 -0400

Depends where you are stationed. My most precious duty stationed conducting the training but here I'm at now, we don't conduct drown proofing or weapons qual.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 26 at 2015 2:03 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 14:03:40 -0400

It always was depending upon where you were stationed. I just sent Readers digest a funny story about it that happened at Ft Bragg in the mid 80's...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 26 at 2015 4:33 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:33:42 -0400

I haven't done it since I left the Marines.. I've never met anyone other than other prior Marines who have done it.. Have any Soldiers done it other than divers?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 26 at 2015 4:44 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:44:06 -0400

I'm not really sure that's drown proofing. That seems more like simple water survival training. Every naval recruit on the planet has done the pants thing in basic training.

'Drown proofing' is what the spec-ops divers do -- they actually tie their hands and make them bob, attack them underwater from behind and jerk their regulators out, etc, in an effort to panic them..or teach them to NOT panic.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 9:20 PM

LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:20:23 -0400

I've been TDY at fort hood for a week and I have seen 4 different units conducting it. So it's still gets done