Ask a Sailor.

[Jericho]

Side note, one of the qualifications you have to pass when you get to the Academy, Jericho, is something called the 40 year swim. You have to swim, in khakis, for 40 minutes straight without touching the wall, bottom, or ropes. It's not hard, but definitely put Vaseline on your nipples. Pro tip.

I definitely appreciate the tip. For the 2nd Class Swim Qualification, I had to do a deep water jump, 100 yard swim demonstrating 25 yards each of the crawl stroke, breast stroke, side stroke, and elementary backstroke. Immediately after the completion of the swim, without leaving the water, I had to prone float (face down) for 5 minutes and transition to a back float before exiting the water. The main goal of that test is to ensure that the swimmer can stay afloat and survive without the use of a floatation device indefinitely. The test is usually only issued for those that are training to become Small Boat Operators, Naval Aircrew, and Rescue Swimmers. I myself was going to be a Rescue Swimmer, but my orders got changed on me at the last minue.

I intend to take the 1st Class Swim Qualification course soon.

[dahrling]

What do most people agree is the hardest part about being a sailor?

[KUSA]

What is your rate, rating, and duty station?

[Jericho]

What do most people agree is the hardest part about being a sailor?

Most people tend to think that the hardest part is holding your tongue when someone is yelling at you. It takes time and patience to be able to take an ass-chewing without yelling back. It's especially difficult when your superior is clearly less intelligent than you and is simply shouting just as a display of dominance.

What is your rate, rating, and duty station?

MA3 (Master at Arms, 3rd Class Petty Officer). I am currently stationed in Bahrain. I've been in the Navy for about 2 and a half years now.