Future Marines dive in and get ready for boot camp

KERMAN, Calif. (KFSN) -- For young men and women enlisted in the Marine Corps, summer doesn't mean lounging by the pool. It means diving in, to learn survival skills.

When it comes to boot camp, these young Fresno County recruits are getting a head start learning the mental and physical discipline it takes to be a Marine.

"First it was just because of my dad; he was in the Marines and so was his dad. So it was just kind something I wanted to do as a kid, but as I got older, it was something I wanted to do on my own," said Aaron Nevarez of Fresno.

All year long the recruits work out with drill instructors -- combining strength training and conditioning.

"Being that Marine Corps boot camp is the most demanding of all the boot camps out there and the longest, we take the time to prepare them and open their eyes," said Master Sgt. Juan Otero.

But for some recruits, Friday's swim training may have been the most challenging and nerve-wracking so far.

"I'm not a great swimmer, so they're gonna help boost my confidence. They know that I wanna do this, and I'm gonna pursue it no matter what," said Jasmin Alvarez of Kerman.

At first glance activities like swimming, rock climbing and paintballing might seem like fun and games, but it's actually preparation for intense boot camp for 12 1/2 weeks.

At boot camp, the recruits must pass the swim qualification to graduate and earn the title of U.S. Marine. Recruits must learn how to shed their gear underwater, jump safely into the water, and swim and tread water while weighed down by their uniforms, and learn to create flotation devices out of their cammies should they ever need it to survive.

"We take it seriously, we screen very hard. We get quality kids, and then we send them to boot camp, and they usually succeed," said Otero.