Special Warfare Combatant – Craft Crewman; SWCC

Position: Special Warfare Combatant – Craft Crewman (SWCC)

When people think of Navy Special Forces, they always think of the Navy SEALs, but there is a lesser‑known Navy Special Forces job that is just as important.

These Navy Special Forces Operators are known as Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen (SWCC). They are experts at carrying out shoreline and inter‑coastal special operations tasks. Their watercraft are small, fast, and carry a large amount of extremely lethal firepower. They often work in conjunction with Navy SEALs, inserting and extracting other special operations forces by water and then returning them safely after missions are completed.

They require excellent physical condition, quick thinking, and intestinal fortitude.

Brief History of Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen

SWCC traces its roots back to WWII, operating fast patrol torpedo boats (PT boats). During the Vietnam War, the role expanded to interdicting Viet Cong supply lines, supporting SEAL missions, and transitioning from PT boats to swift boats. They later formed the Special Boat Units (SBU) and operated MK III patrol boats during Operation Earnest Will and secured oil drilling platforms during Operation Desert Shield.

The official title of Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen was established in April 1994.

Prerequisites and Qualifications

• Good moral character and drug‑free status
• Best eye vision of 20/70 or better and worst eye vision of 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/20 without Radial Keratotomy
• Passed a physical examination required for divers
• Physical fitness sufficient for small‑craft operations and parachute duties
• Completion of current National Agency Check, local agency checks, and credit checks
• Completion of a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) that leads to a secret or higher‑level security clearance
• Completion of a special operations mentorship program prior to service
• Completion of Navy Basic Recruit Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, North Chicago, Illinois

Initial Physical Screening Test

The modified Navy SWCC physical screening test includes:

• 1000‑yard swim with fins (≤20 minutes)
• Push‑ups: at least 70 in two minutes
• Pull‑ups: at least 10 in two minutes
• Curl‑ups: at least 60 in two minutes
• Four‑mile run with shoes and pants (≤31 minutes)

Training Pipeline Stage 1:
Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSW Prep)

Duration: 8 weeks

This stage evaluates whether a recruit is worthy of further SWCC training, focusing on physical and mental endurance and a pass/fail physical fitness test.

Stage 2:
Naval Special Warfare Orientation (NSWO)

Duration: 2 weeks

Further acclimates recruits to Special Forces lifestyle, including physical training, history, and expectations.

Stage 3:
Basic Crewman Selection (BCS)

Duration: 5 weeks

This intense phase builds team cohesion and tests limits through rigorous swim skills, seamanship, and small‑boat handling. The final “Tour” lasts three days of intense work under varied weather and limited sleep.

Stage 4:
Crewman Qualification Training (CQT)

Duration: 15 weeks

Focuses on tactical knowledge and field application: marksmanship, seamanship, maritime navigation, waterborne patrolling, communications, engineering, SERE tactics, and basic combat casualty care.

SWCC vs. Navy SEAL

Although training shares similarities, missions differ. SEALs generally do not operate the small fast craft or carry the same level of weaponry. SEALs are deployed via aircraft and submarines and focus on covert intelligence gathering and small squad actions. SWCC specializes in rapid insertion and extraction by water, providing lethal firepower support.

Weapons and Vessels

Weapons carried on SWCC craft include:

• M60 and M240 7.62 mm belt‑fed machine guns
• GAU‑17/A 7.62 mm mini‑guns
• .50 mm MSHB machine guns
• 40 mm automatic grenade launchers

Watercraft used include:

• Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC)
• NSW Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (NSW RHIB)
• Combatant Craft Assault (CCA)
• Combatant Craft Medium (CCM)
• Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH)

Summary

Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen are versatile, fast‑moving special forces operators capable of covert insertions, direct fire support, and rapid extraction. They continue to play a vital role in Navy operations into the future.

References

Official Navy Page

SEAL/

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