Marine Combat Water Survival Course Would Probably Drown Ryan Lochte

Scratch that: Lochte — the Olympic swimming gold medal winner — would definitely drown.

Marine Corps Water Survival Instructor Course (MCIWS) is one of the most difficult, grueling water certifications in the military (outside of BUD/S and their SCUBA and underwater demolitions courses).

It's three intense weeks with just more than 50% wash out rate.

“It’s been told, and I fully believe, that [the MCIWS course] ranks in the top five of the most physically demanding courses in the Marine Corps,” said one former director of the course.

And just like BUD/S and Recon pool training, the instructors make a concerted effort to weed out all non-hackers — and this means practically drowning half their students before the training is through.

First of all, everything is done with as much realism as possible — which means being in the water with gear.

Certified medical technicians on the scene also teach immediate actions for water injuries.

So the students will get issued, and are expected to wear, UDTs — Underwater Demolition Trunks.

Please follow Military & Defense on Twitter and Facebook.