HOW TO PERFORM THE MARINE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)

The Recon Aquatic Competency Test (RACT) is the Reconnaissance Marine community's name for what is otherwise known as the drownproofing test. You may have also heard it be referred to as the SOCOM Screener. The RACT is one of the many physical tests you will be expected to master and conquer in the Marine Reconnaissance pipeline, and without proper training and comfortability in the water, many people have been known to fail. If you're interested in becoming a Reconnaissance Marine, you will have to become familiar with this test. Continue reading to learn more about the Recon Aquatic Competency Test.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (click to navigate)

WHAT IS THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

WHY DO YOU TAKE THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

WHAT’S TESTED IN THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

CONCLUSION

WHAT IS THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

The Recon Aquatic Competency Test (RACT) is a water confidence test that Recon Marine candidates, as well as Recon Marines, must pass in order to get into and pass the Marine Combatant Diver course. The RACT will have you do a series of maneuvers both on the water’s surface and underwater. Throughout the Recon pipeline, Recon candidates will be given ample amounts of opportunity to practice and master this test, and will be tested on this in both the pre-dive and combatant diver course. When a Recon Marine passes the Marine Combatant Diver course, they earn their gold diver bubble, which is pictured below.

WHY DO YOU TAKE THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

Reconnaissance Marines must show proficiency and comfortability in the water, which is one of their main domains they operate in. Thus, one of the best ways to do this is through the RACT. The RACT proves to the Reconnaissance Marine community that you can be trusted in the ultimate equalizer: the water. If your gear messes up, or you get into a sticky situation when you’re underwater, you need to have the training and capability to remain calm and fix the situation. The RACT is one of the foundational ways to build that water confidence.

WHAT’S TESTED IN THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

The Recon Aquatic Competency Test (RACT) tests you on a bunch of maneuvers both underwater and on the surface. In a nutshell, you will have your ankles tied together, with your hands tied or grabbing a rope behind your back, meaning you will not be able to use your arms and legs in the water like you would ordinarily do.
Events in the RACT range from bobbing, floating, traveling, front and back flips, and a dive mask retrieval. This will all be conducted in a 12 foot deep pool. The events for the RACT are as follows:

• 5 Minutes of Bobbing: Bobbing is a cycle where you jump from the bottom of the pool, breathe in a breath of air on the surface, and slowly descend while exhaling back onto the bottom of the pool.

• 2 Minute Dead Man’s Float: As the name suggests, you will simply float on the surface. If you’re a sinker, you can “shrimp kick”. If you’re a floater, this should be an easy event for you!

• 100M Travel: This event will require you to travel 100 meters without using your arms or legs. There’s no time limit, you just need to travel the distance.

• Front Flip: Once you complete your travel, you will have 5 bobs to conduct a front flip underwater.

• Back Flip: After completion of your front flip, you will have 5 bobs to conduct a back flip underwater.

• Dive Mask Retrieval: Some time before completion of your back flip, your buddy on the pool deck will drop a dive mask at the bottom of the pool for you. Once you complete your back flip, you will have 5 bobs to retrieve your mask with your mouth at the bottom of the pool and conduct five bobs while holding it in your mouth.

Once you complete your fifth bob with the mask still in your mouth, the RACT is completed. The RACT is tested out three times: in RTAP, 1st Phase, and 2nd Phase Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC).

WARNING: Do NOT practice this test with your ankles and hands tied. Only conduct portions of this test with a buddy and a lifeguard present. When you are conducting the actual RACT, you will have a team of instructors and medical personnel on standby should anything go south.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR THE RECON AQUATIC COMPETENCY TEST (RACT)?

If you didn’t get the memo, do NOT practice the Recon Aquatic Competency Test (RACT) as if you were taking the real test. It’s okay to simulate having your ankles and hands tied up, but NEVER actually do that. Additionally, even when you’re practicing for this, make sure that you have a buddy and lifeguard present. Besides specifically doing the RACT events, the next best thing you can do is just spend more time in the pool and get comfortable swimming and being in the water. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice the RACT in a safe, professional environment at the Recon schoolhouse. 

CONCLUSION

The Recon Aquatic Competency Test (RACT) might seem like a daunting test, but once you get comfortable with it, believe it or not… it can be quite relaxing!! Don’t stress too much about this test - the Recon community is just as invested in getting you pass this as you will be yourself. Train hard and smart, and make sure to get in the pool more often!

The Recon Aquatic Competency Test is just one of many physical tests that the Marine Reconnaissance community will have you conduct. One of them that's much different than the RACT is the Recon Physical Assessment Test (RPAT), which includes a 12 mile ruck - and that's just one event! To learn more about the Recon Physical Assessment Test, click here.

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