{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2011}}

{{Infobox military unit

|unit_name= Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen

|image= Rating Badge SB.jpg

|image_size= 175px

|caption= Rating insignia (SB)

|start_date={{Start date and age|1987|04|16|df=yes}}

|country= {{flagu|United States}}

|allegiance=

|branch= {{flag|United States Navy}}

|type= [[Naval Warfare|Maritime]] [[special operations force]]

|role= Operate and maintain inventory of state-of-the-art, high-performance boats used in conjunction with [[SEALs]] and on other special operations missions.

|size= 755 (active)<br />50 (reserve)

|command_structure= [[File:United States Special Operations Command Insignia.svg|25px]] [[United States Special Operations Command|U.S. Special Operations Command]]<br />[[File:US NSWC insignia.jpg|25px]] [[United States Naval Special Warfare Command|U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command]]

|current_commander=

|garrison=

|ceremonial_chief=

|colonel_of_the_regiment=

|nickname= "Boat Guys"

|patron=

|motto= "On Time,On Target,Never Quit!"

|colors=

|march=

|mascot=

|battles=[[Multinational Force in Lebanon]]<br />[[Operation Earnest Will]]<br />[[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]<br />[[War on Terror|Global War on Terrorism]]

*[[War in Afghanistan (2001-14)|War in Afghanistan]]

*[[Iraq War]]

}}

The '''Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen''' ('''SWCC''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|sj|uː|ɪ|k}}) is a [[United States Naval Special Warfare Command]] team that operates and maintains an inventory of small [[Craft (vehicle)|craft]] used to conduct special operations missions, particularly those of the [[United States Navy SEALs|U.S. Navy SEALs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy-swcc.com/home.html|title=Navy SWCC.com|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref> Individually, SEALs and SWCC go through separate specialized training programs that emphasize special operations in the maritime environment. SWCC are trained extensively in craft and weapons tactics, techniques, and procedures. Focusing on clandestine infiltration and exfiltration of SEALs and other special operations forces, SWCC provide dedicated, rapid mobility in shallow water areas where large ships cannot operate.Their capabilities include Direct Action through coastline or rivers (such as strikes, captures, and ship take downs by Visit, Board, Search and Seizure), Special Reconnaissance, Coastal Patrol and Interdiction of suspect ships and surface craft. SWCC specialize in swift mobility, due to this they also have a high level of training in tactical driving and convoy operations. They do many missions along side SEALs providing security detail and evacuation. SWCC must be physically fit, highly motivated, combat-focused, and responsive in high-stress situations.

==History==

[[File:Fast Patrol Craft PCF-38 on Cai Ngay canal 1970.jpg|thumb|right|A fast patrol craft on Cai Ngay canal during the Vietnam War in 1970]]

Special boat teams can trace their history back to [[World War II]].<!--The Patrol Coastal and Patrol Boat Torpedo are the ancestors of today's [[Cyclone class patrol ship]] and [[Mark V Special Operations Craft]].--> [[Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three]] rescued General [[Douglas MacArthur]] (and later the Filipino president [[Manuel L. Quezon]]) from the [[Philippines]] after the [[Philippines Campaign (1941–1942)|Japanese invasion]] and then participated in guerilla actions until American resistance ended with the [[Battle of Corregidor|fall of Corregidor]]. [[PT boat]]s subsequently participated in most of the campaigns in the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|Southwest Pacific]] by conducting and supporting joint/combined [[reconnaissance]], [[blockade]], [[sabotage]], and [[Raid (military)|raiding]] missions as well as attacking Japanese shore facilities, shipping, and combatants. PT boats were used in the [[European Theatre of World War II|European Theater]] beginning in April 1944 to support the [[Office of Strategic Services]] in the insertion of espionage and [[French Resistance]] personnel and for [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious landing]] deception. While there is no direct line between organizations, [[United States Naval Special Warfare Command]] embracement is predicated on the similarity in craft and mission.{{clarify|date=September 2013}}

The development of a robust [[Brown-water navy|riverine warfare]] capability during the [[Vietnam War]] produced the forerunner of the modern special warfare combatant-craft crewman. In 1966 River Patrol Force (Task Force 116) operated [[River Patrol Boats]] (PBR) conducting counterinsurgency operations in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. A SEAL Platoon was assigned to each of the five River Squadrons inserted and extracted from their patrol area by PBRs. In July 1968 Light SEAL Support Craft (LSSC) began replacing PBRs as their primary support craft.<ref>CWO3 John Trolinger, Instructor/Boat Captain/Patrol Leader</ref> [http://www.warboats.org/bsumainpage.htm Mobile Support Teams] (MST 1-3) provided combat craft support for [[United States Navy SEALs|SEAL]] operations, as did [[Patrol Boat, River|patrol boat, river]] (PBR) and [[Patrol Craft Fast|patrol craft, fast]] (PCF) sailors. In February 1964, [http://www.warboats.org/bsumainpage.htm Boat Support Unit One] was established under Naval Operations Support Group, Pacific to operate the newly reinstated patrol torpedo fast (PTF) program and to operate high-speed craft in support of NSW forces. In late 1964 the first PTFs arrived in [[Da Nang]], Vietnam. In 1965, Boat Support Squadron One began training patrol craft fast crews for Vietnamese coastal patrol and interdiction operations. As the Vietnam mission expanded into the riverine environment, additional craft, tactics, and training evolved for riverine patrol and SEAL support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seal.navy.mil/swcc/introduction.aspx |title=Seal.navy.mil |publisher=Seal.navy.mil |accessdate=19 May 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[File:Special Operations Craft-Riverine.jpg|thumb|SWCC in the special operations craft, riverine]]

SWCC detachments have participated in nearly every major conflict since then, particularly in the Persian Gulf theatre during the [[Iran–Iraq War|1987–1988 period of conflict]] and the 1991 [[Gulf War]] to the more recent [[War on Terrorism]]. In August 1996 while attached to {{USS|Sides|FFG-14|6}} during counter drug operations in Colombia, Special Boat Squadron 1 (SBS1) came under attack in the [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] Valley region by members of [[FARC]], Colombia's revolutionary movement, while conducting field operations. Six SBS1 members held off a force of approximately 150 rebels. The battle lasted for three days and nights and members of SBS1 found themselves surrounded and cut off from each other on several occasions. Short of ammunition and water, SBS1 held on until first light on day three, regrouped and counter-attacked, punching a hole in the FARC defense line and linking up with Colombian special forces sent there to assist them. An estimated 43 FARC rebels were killed during the battle and four were captured with only one team member being wounded. Members of the team were cited for their heroism and bravery.

===Special warfare boat operator (SB) rating===

The Global War on Terrorism was the impetus for several important changes in the NSW community. One of these many changes was the creation of a new SB rating system for SWCCs, which allows them to focus on their unique skill sets, to avoid limitations and constraints imposed by the old regime of "source ratings", to reach consensus and unity within the profession, and to allow them to enjoy advancement opportunities on par with the rest of the Navy.

===Special warfare combatant-craft crewman warfare specialty===

Another important development was the recognition of the knowledge, skills, and training of SWCC crewmen as a warfare specialty, represented by the NEC 5352 and later denoted by the award of a military device or service badge.

For a brief period qualified sailors were awarded no device; boat captain-qualified sailors wore the [[Small Craft insignia|small craft insignia]] originally created for and worn by riverine sections during the Vietnam War. Still earlier than this, the small craft pin was worn by those with the 9533 NEC. Many other units within the Navy awarded the small craft badge, and there was controversy regarding the original intent associated with its creation. The matter has been somewhat settled as the small craft badge has recently been awarded only to conventional riverine units under the NECC and SWCC boat captains, who wear it in addition to the SWCC device.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seal.navy.mil/swcc/missions.aspx |title=Seal.navy.mil |publisher=Seal.navy.mil |accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref>

==Training==

To become a special warfare combatant-craft crewman, a service member must apply and be accepted to special programs, pass SWCC basic crewman training school, and pass other schools. Following this, they undergo crewman qualification training concurrently with a probationary period.

===Pipeline===

[[File:U.S. Navy special warfare combatant-craft crewmen (SWCC), Special Boat Team 22 conducts training 16 AUG 09.jpg|right|thumb|A special warfare combatant-craft crewmen from Special Boat Team 22 fires a [[GAU-17]] from a [[Special Operations Craft – Riverine (SOC-R)]]]]

To qualify for SWCC training, one must:

*Meet specific [[eyesight]] requirements: 20/40 best eye; 20/70 worst eye; correctable to 20/25 with no [[color blindness]]

*Meet the minimum [[Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery]] (ASVAB) score: AR+VE=103, MC=51

*Be 30 years old or younger; min. 17

*Be a U.S. citizen<ref name="SWCC Health Qualifications">{{cite web|last=SWCC|first=Navy|title=SWCC Qualifications|url=http://www.navy.com/careers/special-operations/swcc.html}}</ref>

Initial SWCC training consists of the following:

* Eight week Naval Special Warfare Prep School [[Great Lakes, Illinois]]

* Three weeks indoctrination course at [[Naval Amphibious Base Coronado]], California

* Nine weeks basic crewman training at the [[Naval Special Warfare Center]], NAB Coronado

* Twenty-one-week SWCC crewman qualification training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado<ref name="SWCC physical requirements">{{cite web|last=SWCC|first=Navy|title=SWCC Career|url=http://www.navy.com/careers/special-operations/swcc.html}}</ref>

===Screening===

Assignment to basic crewman training depends on passing the physical screening, which requires the following minimal:

*Swim 500 yards under 13 minutes ([[Side Stroke / Breast Stroke]])

*Rest 10 minutes

*50 [[push-up]]<nowiki/>s within 2 minutes

*Rest 2 minutes

*50 [[sit-up]]<nowiki/>s within 2 minutes

*Rest 2 minutes

*6 [[pull-up (exercise)|pull-up]]<nowiki/>s within 2 minutes

*Rest 10 minutes

*1.5 mile run under 12 minutes

*Pass a basic [[underwater demolition]]/SEAL physical fitness screening test in boot camp and in the delayed entry program in order to qualify

Optimum numbers are as follows:

*Swim 500 yards under 9:30 minutes ([[Side Stroke / Breast Stroke]])

*Rest 10 minutes

*80 [[push-up]]<nowiki/>s within 2 minutes

*Rest 2 minutes

*75 [[sit-up]]<nowiki/>s within 2 minutes

*Rest 2 minutes

*15 [[pull-up (exercise)|pull-up]]<nowiki/>s within 2 minutes

*Rest 10 minutes

*1.5 mile run under 10:30 minutes

*Pass a basic [[underwater demolition]]/SEAL physical fitness screening test in boot camp and in the delayed entry program in order to qualify

===SWCC basic crewman training===

Instructors of the SWCC basic crewman training course train, develop, and assess SWCC candidates in physical conditioning, water competency, teamwork, and mental tenacity. This course starts with a three-week indoctrination. The SWCC basic crewman training is nine weeks long. Physical conditioning with running, swimming, and [[calisthenics]] grows harder as the weeks progress. Students abilities, mental fortitude and teamwork skills are tested during an arduous 4 day evolution involving little sleep, constant exposure to the elements, underway boat and swimming events, and a test of navigational skills and boat tactics. This test is referred to as the Crucible or "The Tour". SWCC students participate in weekly timed runs, timed [[obstacle course]] evolutions, pool, bay and ocean swims, and learn small-boat [[seamanship]]. Upon the completion of SWCC basic crewman training, students advance to crewman qualification training.

===Crewman qualification training ===

Instructors of crewman qualification training develop, train and qualify SWCC candidates in basic weapons, seamanship, [[first aid]], and small unit tactics. This phase of training is 21 weeks long. Physical training here is geared to prepare the student to meet the requirements of the operational special boat teams. CQT concentrates on teaching maritime navigation, communications, waterborne patrolling techniques, [[marksmanship]] and engineering, as well as close-quarters combat and SERE Level C. The student also receives an introduction to the NSW mission planning cycle, enabling him to participate in the planning, briefing, execution, and debriefing of an NSW mission from their tasking, to launch point, and on to their combat objective, where students apply all the techniques they have acquired during training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seal.navy.mil/swcc/swccschool.aspx |title=Seal.navy.mil |publisher=Seal.navy.mil |accessdate=19 May 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Due to the training and prerequisites involved in qualification, SWCC is recognized by those within the broader realm of "small boat" outfits of the armed forces as an extremely difficult qualification to obtain.

Due in part to the extremely difficult training and operating environment of SWCCs, they are qualified to operate jointly with other armed forces (particularly those within [[USSOCOM]] such as [[SEALs]], [[United States Army Special Forces|Special Forces]], [[MARSOC]], and [[AFSOC]]), operate in inclement weather and sea state, evade and fight on land as a contingency, and perform maritime special operations missions such as direct action, recon, ship boarding or vessel board, search and seizure, and sea-to-land support using a broad array of vessels and armaments.

===Further training===

[[File:SBT 22 on SOC-R boats.jpg|thumb|Special Boat Team 22 in [[Special Operations Craft - Riverine (SOC-R)|SOC-R]]]]

SWCCs invariably receive broad individual and detachment in-house training and attend schools as needed. Before reporting to a team, all SWCCs must attend a 12-week language course, where they must learn a language assigned to them according to the needs of their respective teams. SWCC will go to [[Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School]] they will received tactical boat and vehicle driving. After reporting to the teams SWCCs may attend schools related to radio communications, weapons, maritime and land navigation, [[outboard]], diesel, and waterjet engines, desert survival, tactical driving, jungle survival, air assault, special operations combat medic training, and many other U.S. Department of Defense schools according to the needs of their respective team. SWCCs also receive extensive in-house training in these and other areas on an ongoing basis in order to keep skills fresh and synergies alive.

====Combat medic training====

[[File:US Navy 081210-N-5366K-073 A Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman treats an injured teammate during a casualty assistance and evacuation scenario.jpg|thumb|A SWCC treats an injured teammate during a casualty assistance and evacuation training exercise]]

;BLS & Medic Assistant Training

Combat first aid and lifesaving, emergency response, emergency life support, evaluation, water search and rescue, [[Stabilization (warfare)|stabilization]], packaging, transport, and MEDEVAC skills are of vital importance to all forces within the special operations community, since they operate far from medical assets and rely on their independent capabilities. SWCC platforms provide a unique opportunity to provide a "next layer" of pre-hospital medical stabilization and [[MEDEVAC]] capability between the field and helicopter/air transport. Inbound casualties are a likely scenario, and the nature of their missions places them at a high risk of casualty as well.

Because of this, all SWCCs receive ongoing and repeated in-house training in combat first aid, basic life support, airway management and oxygen administration, [[trauma care]], limited emergency medication administration, and [[IV therapy]] – a set of skills roughly analogous to civilian [[Basic life support|BLS]], [[BTLS]], and [[EMT-B]] qualification, and thus quite arguably conferring on every SWCC the unofficial distinction of being a [[combat lifesaver]] by the general definition. However, the SWCC community generally recognizes these members as "medic assistants" to distinguish them from the lead [para]medic, whose primary function as a professional paramedic is continually reinforced by years of training and experience. Every SWCC receives basic medic assistant training.

Many NSW medics originally came from the [[hospital corpsman]] rating. Thus, while not all hospital corpsmen are combat medics, and not all combat medics are hospital corpsmen, all SWCCs are by the ''general'' definition trained [[combat medic]]s – particularly after repeated workup cycles and ongoing training have refined their skills to a level comparable with conventional combat medics and civilian EMTs.

Some SWCCs have attended (and continue to attend) civilian EMT or paramedic courses (either funded or completed through their own ambition); and several of these men have enjoyed an ad-hoc, de facto status as "docs" serving in their detachments as medics in the past.

A more recent development is that designated SWCC medics attend the Special Operations Combat Medic course of instruction, and attend Naval Special Warfare-specific and [[Tactical Combat Casualty Care|Tactical Combat Casualty Control (TCCC)]]-based courses. As of 2012, most attend 18 Delta [[Fort Bragg]]'s special operations medic course.

;NSW combat medics and lead medics

Within the NSW community, the title of SWCC detachment "medic" applies to SB (SWCC) members who have completed Special Operations Combat Medic course and been designated as lead medics for a detachment. This training is equivalent or exceeds civilian [[EMT-P]] certification, a civilian qualification which they are indeed eligible to test for immediately after training. They are able to initiate and administer IV fluids and medications independently and perform certain minor surgeries and stitches in the field at their own discretion. They can intubate and administer oxygen and other interventions done by [[paramedics]].

These men are among the rare exceptions to the general rule that "all Navy combat medics are hospital corpsmen". Because of changes leading to the establishment of the SB rating, non-corpsmen SWCCs attend the course,<ref>[http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/.../NOMI%20Internet%20Brief_apr.ppt Med.navy.mil] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> become qualified NSW combat medics, and serve primarily as medics for the rest of their careers within Naval Special Warfare, in addition to performing the various other roles of a SWCC crewman.

Special warfare combat medics are the primary or lead combat medics in a SWCC detachment. Previously, SEAL corpsmen served as the lead medics in larger SWCC detachments and managed shoreside clinics at special boat teams, managing sick call, training all SWCCs as medic assistants, and rendering emergency medical care to both SWCCs and SEALs while deployed in the field. These SEALs contributed greatly to the special boat teams and the professional development of their SWCC combat medic counterparts. While readiness is still achieved by pooling of crew skills through medic assistant quals, SWCCs are now taking on lead medic roles within their community capitalizing on the benefit of a stable maritime platform, additional medical equipment, and the ability to provide longer-term stabilization of casualties on board their craft.

==== Aerial deployment training====

{{multiple image

| width1 = 265

| footer =

| image1 = Maritime Craft Aerial Deployment System (MCADS) cropped.jpg

| alt1 =

| caption1 = An 11-meter RIB descending to the water after a successful MCADS launch

| width2 = 360

| image2 = RHIB-helicopter.jpg

| alt2 =

| caption2 = SWCC operators from Special Boat Teams 12 & 20 rig their RIB to a CH-47D while underway during a MEATS training exercise

}}

;Maritime craft aerial deployment system

SWCC personnel are trained parajumpers with the development of the maritime craft aerial deployment system (MCADS).

Serving as a force multiplier, the MCADS capability enables naval special warfare sailors to rapidly deploy anywhere in the world in a maritime environment. The system deploys an 11-meter RIB (rigid inflatable boat) rigged with four large parachutes from the back of a C-130 or C-17 at approximately 3,500 feet. Approximately four SWCCs immediately follow the boat out of the plane and parachute to the immediate proximity of where the boat lands in the water. Within 20 minutes the SWCCs have the boat unpacked and rigged to get underway to deliver an element of SOF (special operations force) operators to any potential target of interest, or to conduct their own mission.

;Maritime external air transportation system

SWCC personnel are now more frequently attendending the [[United States Army Air Assault School|U.S. Army Air Assault School]]. A common operation the SWCC train for involving [[helicopter]]s is called maritime external air transportation system (MEATS).

Special boat teams use the MEATS insertion and extraction delivery system. MEATS allows an Army [[CH-47]]D helicopter to hover over a craft used by SWCC to be rigged to the underbelly of the helicopters with slings. The combatant-craft crewman will then ascend a ladder dropped down from the helicopter into the craft. Once all the SWCC are on board, the CH47D will extract the craft from the water. A SWCC craft can also be inserted into a maritime environment giving the SWCC a longer range on land or at sea.

A variant of the MEATS insertion method was seen in the movies ''[[Act of Valor]]'' and ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''.

File:US Navy 040421-N-0000R-003 Special Warfare Combatant Crewman (SWCC) assigned to Special Boat Team Twenty-Two demonstrate the firepower of the new Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R).jpg|Sailors of the SBT 22 demonstrating their new boat

File:Unloading diving equipment DVIDS14866.jpg

File:Visit, board, search and seizure training aboard USS Vela Gulf DVIDS153180.jpg

File:Combat rubber raiding craft F-580 (CRRC) DVIDS14848.jpg

==Qualification Insignia==

[[File:SWCC insignia.png|right|thumb|Former SWCC qualification insignia]]

[[File:US Navy New SWCC Insignias.png|550px|right|thumb|New SWCC qualification insignias (from left to right: Basic, Senior, and Master)]]

The special warfare combatant-craft crewman insignia is a [[Military badges of the United States|military qualification badge]] of the [[United States Navy]] which was first conceived in 1996, though the design was not approved for wear until 2001. The insignia is authorized for wear by volunteer members of special boat teams (formerly special boat units) under [[U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command]]. Candidates must pass the SWCC basic crewman training and crewman qualification training.

On 19 August 2016, the current SWCC qualification insignia was replaced with three separate insignias to denote the level of qualification achieved individually by SWCC sailors. The new insignias are SWCC Basic, SWCC Senior, and SWCC Master. The SWCC Basic Insignia is a two and one-half by one and one-fourth inch silver matte metal pin showing a background of a cocked flintlock pistol, a crossed naval enlisted cutlass, and a [[Mark V Special Operations Craft]] atop a bow wave. The SWCC Senior Insignia incorporates an upright anchor in the background of the SWCC Basic Insignia. The SWCC Master Insignia incorporates a banner with three gold stars on the upper portion of the anchor from the SWCC Senior Insignia.<ref>[http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16174.txt Uniform Policy Update, NAVADMIN 174/16], CNO Washington DC, dated 4 August 2016, last accessed 10 September 2016</ref>

{{Clear}}

==See also==

{{Portal|United States Navy}}

* [[Badges of the United States Navy]]

* [[List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations]]

* [[Military badges of the United States]]

* [[Mark V Special Operations Craft]]

* [[Obsolete badges of the United States military]]

* [[Special Operations Craft – Riverine (SOC-R)]]

* [[Uniforms of the United States Navy]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* {{cite book|author=Wise, Harold Lee | title=Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf 1987–88 | location= Annapolis | publisher=Naval Institute Press | year=2007| url=http://www.insidethedangerzone.com | isbn= 1-59114-970-3}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen}}

* [http://www.sealswcc.com/ U.S. Navy SEAL & SWCC] official website

* [http://www.shadowspear.com/united-states-special-operations/naval-special-warfare/special-warfare-combatant-craft-crewman.html ShadowSpear.com], ShadowSpear Special Operations: SWCC

*[http://blog.usnavyseals.com/ US Navy SEALs Blog]

*[http://information.usnavyseals.com/ US Navy SEALs Information]

{{US Special Operations Forces}}

{{US Navy navbox}}

{{Naval special operations forces}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen}}

[[Category:United States Navy personnel|*Spec]]

[[Category:United States Naval Special Warfare Command]]

[[Category:United States Navy ratings]]

[[Category:Riverine warfare]]