United States Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course

Diver Badge (USMC)

United States Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course is a rigorous training program designed to equip United States Marine Corps personnel with advanced scuba diving skills and tactics for combat and reconnaissance operations. The course is conducted at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) in Panama City, Florida, a premier facility for military diving instruction. This program is part of the Marine Corps' commitment to enhancing its amphibious and expeditionary warfare capabilities.

Overview

The Combatant Diver Course is intended for Marines who will be assigned to units where underwater capabilities are required. Participants undergo intense physical and mental training to prepare them for the challenges of operating in aquatic environments. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including open circuit scuba diving, closed circuit diving systems, underwater navigation, deep diving, night diving, and maritime operations planning. The course emphasizes stealth and the ability to conduct missions undetected.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Combatant Diver Course is highly competitive. Candidates must pass a rigorous physical fitness test, a swimming evaluation, and a medical examination to ensure they are fit for diving activities. Additionally, they must hold a security clearance due to the sensitive nature of some operations they may be involved in.

Training Phases

The course is divided into several phases, each focusing on different aspects of combat diving:

1. **Diving Physics and Medicine:** Trainees learn the fundamentals of diving physics and the medical aspects of diving, including how to manage diving-related injuries and illnesses.

2. **Open Circuit Diving:** This phase introduces Marines to basic scuba diving with open circuit equipment. Skills such as buoyancy control, underwater navigation, and emergency procedures are emphasized.

3. **Closed Circuit Diving:** Marines are trained on closed circuit rebreathers, which allow for longer, more covert operations. This phase includes lessons on the maintenance and operation of rebreather systems.

4. **Operational Diving:** The final phase focuses on the application of diving skills in operational scenarios. Trainees learn about conducting reconnaissance, placing underwater demolitions, and other combat-related tasks.

Graduation and Assignment

Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are awarded the Marine Combatant Diver Badge, signifying their qualification as combat divers. They are then assigned to units where their diving skills can be utilized, such as reconnaissance battalions or special operations forces.

Significance

The United States Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course plays a crucial role in enhancing the Corps' amphibious warfare capabilities. Graduates of the course are capable of conducting a wide range of military operations in aquatic environments, from reconnaissance and surveillance to direct action and sabotage. Their skills contribute significantly to the operational flexibility and effectiveness of Marine Corps units in global missions.