NOSC Austin Qualifies Second Class Swimmers By Mass Communication Specialist 2 nd Class Carrel Regis, Navy Operational Support Center Austin AUSTIN, Texas (NNS) -- The Operational Support Unit (OSU) of Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Austin held a second class swimmer qualification test, July 20, at the swimming facilities located on the campus of the Texas School for the Deaf. The qualification is designed to test the abilities of more experienced swimmers and serve as a requirement for reserve mobilization opportunities in small boat units and shipboard embarked security teams. The qualification process requires Sailors to perform a platform jump (minimum of 5 feet), swim 25 meters through four different strokes (freestyle, breast stroke, side stroke and elementary back stroke), and a 5 minute prone and back float, respectively. Eight Sailors qualified Sunday morning under the guidance and leadership of Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Sybil Hay and her training team. Hay and her team spear- headed the training from conception to execution, organizing the process from obtaining command approval to requesting the venue and conducting the tests for Sailors. “I just wanted to do my part in helping Sailors get the needed qualifications,” said Hay. “There is a need for some volunteers to mobilize with a small boat unit based out of California, a lot of Sailors expressed interest to go, but they don't have the second class swimmer qualification and don't know how to get it.” This training provides the necessary qualifications allowing reservists to fill the required slots for such teams throughout the Navy. LT. John Wilkes, a participant and acting OSU operations officer, recognized the opportunity for innovative training and expressed his satisfaction with being able to utilize practical application outside of the classroom. “I hope to motivate and lead by example, that it doesn't matter how long you have been in the Navy, qualifications like this are good to have on your record,” Wilkes said. “I commend BM1 Hay and all the other OSU Sailors involved who made the effort and set aside time to help their shipmates out,” he added. Cmdr. Brett Fereday, NOSC Austin commanding officer, said he didn't have a problem approving the request to conduct the swimming qualification. “I am Sailors assigned to the Navy Operational Support (NOSC) Austin watch as the different swimming strokes are demonstrated in preparation for the second class swimmer qualification test. Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Sybil Hay, left, provides words of encouragement to a Sailor during the prone float part of the second class swimmer qualification test.