Enlisting as a Swimmer - Best Military Branch?

Hey everyone. I'm a rising junior in high school and a competitive swimmer. If I want to use my skills in the military, what's the best branch for me? Any ideas or insight would be super helpful! Thanks!

Hi there! Based on your background as a competitive swimmer, you might want to consider the U.S. Navy or the Coast Guard. These branches carry out many of their operations in water environments, so your swimming skills would be quite useful. The U.S. Navy allows you to make the most of your skills with specialized roles like Navy SEAL, Navy Diver, or Search and Rescue Swimmer, all of which are highly competitive and physically demanding.

Similarly, in the Coast Guard, you could pursue a career as an Aviation Survival Technician (Rescue Swimmer), whose main duty is to rescue people who are in distress in the water. This role requires an exceptional level of physical fitness and advanced swimming abilities, making it a good fit for a competitive swimmer.

However, the Marines and the Army also have certain positions that involve water-based operations such as the Marine Corps Recon or the Army Rangers. Do remember that being a part of these water-operating teams will require rigorous training and high physical fitness levels, apart from just swimming.

I would recommend reaching out to local recruiters from different branches to discuss these possibilities and what would be a good fit for you. Remember, each branch has its own unique culture, benefits, and duties, so it's important to consider those aspects as well when making your decision. Best of luck!