21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Combat Water Survival - Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 013

Part of our value-added professional format series of U.S. military manuals, this U.S. Marine Corps manual

provides techniques, procedures, and training standards for Marine water survival. This publication addresses a Marine's ability to cross water obstacles and perform water rescues.

This publication guides individual Marines and small-unit leaders in the proper techniques and training requirements of combat water survival. Small unit leaders should use this publication to prepare Marines for the Marine combat water survival program (MCWSP). Once a unit has completed the MCWSP, small-unit leaders should use this publication as a refresher course before water operations. The techniques and procedures contained in this publication reflect current Marine corps methodology.

Throughout history, water has posed special challenges to Marines and sailors in both peace and war. Combat units with confidence in their ability to work in and around water can use water to their advantage in combat. The inherent dangers of waterborne operations demand that personnel receive proper water survival training. History is filled with examples where proper preparation or training for survival in water has averted disaster. The following examples illustrate this point.

U.S.S. Indianapolis. On Sunday, July 29, 1945, the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Indianapolis was en route to the Philippine Sea, after dropping off the first atomic bomb. Shortly before midnight (about 39 hours out of port), the Indy, running blacked out and unescorted, was rocked by two explosions on her starboard side. With communications smashed, the ship was unable to signal its distress and sank within 15 minutes.

Three life rafts and a floater net supported a few survivors, but the rest drifted about, held up by rubber life belts or Mae Wests. About 60 seamen died the first night.

As a bonus, this reproduction includes the Marine Corps Manual, the basic publication of the United States Marine Corps issued by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and approved by the Secretary of the Navy - sold separately for $7.99. It is a regulatory publication for the Department of the Navy as defined in U.S. Navy Regulations. The Marine Corps Manual is designed primarily for use by Marine Corps commanders and their staffs, Navy officers exercising command over Marines, the staff of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the staffs of the bureaus and offices of the Navy Department. Contents: Chapter 1 - General Administration And Management * Chapter 2 - Manpower * Chapter 3 - Operations And Readiness * Chapter 4 - Logistics

The manual describes the Marine Corps mission and functions: The Marine Corps shall be organized, trained, and equipped to: (1) Provide Fleet Marine Forces of combined arms, together with supporting air components, for service with the United States Fleet in the seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and for the conduct of such land operations as may be essential to the prosecution of a naval campaign. (2) Provide detachments and organizations for service on armed vessels of the Navy, and security detachments for the protection of naval property at naval stations and bases. (3) Develop, in coordination with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the doctrines, tactics, techniques, and equipment employed by landing forces in amphibious operations. The Marine Corps shall have primary interest in the development of those landing force doctrines, tactics, techniques, and equipment which are of common interest to the Army and the Marine Corps.