--- title: "This is what makes SWCC crews so lethal" description: "Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), the \"Boat Guys\" in all those Navy SEALs photos, are a small and elite bunch of warriors." date: "2022-09-04" modified: "2023-09-05" authors: - name: "Logan Nye" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/logan-nye/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/this-is-what-makes-swcc-crews-so-lethal/" categories: - "History" - "Navy" - "Special Operations" - "Tactical" tags: - "Navy SEALs" --- # This is what makes SWCC crews so lethal ![swcc]() Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), the "Boat Guys" in all those [Navy SEAL]() photos, are a small and elite bunch of warriors who don't get nearly enough credit for their contribution to American security. So what makes the "SEALs Taxi Service" so lethal? ## Here is what makes SWCC crews so lethal ### First, yes, they have SEALs on the boats. When your payload is Navy SEALs, that's a pretty big plus in the lethality department. ![]() *U.S. Navy SEALs splash into the water from a combat rubber raiding craft attached to an 11-meter rigid hull infalatble boat, during a capabilities exercise, at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story. (Photo: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Gary L. Johnson III.)* ### But SWCCs don't just drop off and pick up SEALs. They [also conduct their own missions](). ![]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy)* ### Combatant-craft crews can be sent against enemy shipping and other water traffic to shut down commerce or supply operations. ![]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathryn Whittenberger)* ### The SWCC crews keep an eye out for enemy movements or other activity in their domain. If they identify a threat, they can prosecute it themselves or report it up to the deepwater guys for help. ![]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathryn Whittenberger)* ### The SWCCs do all of this from some of the world's most advanced and dangerous small crafts. ![]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matt Daniels)* ### Their boats are typically well-armed, and SWCCs train extensively on small craft tactics and strategies. ![]() ![]() *(GIF: YouTube/America's Navy)* ### The Navy prefers to deploy SWCC craft in groups so boats can provide fire support to one another. ![]() *(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Laird/Released)* ### But even a single boat brings a lot of firepower. ![SWCC boat training]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Black)* ### Navy SWCCs can launch and recover their vehicles in the well decks of larger ships. ![SWCC boat]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Darren M. Moore)* ### And some of the boats can even be airdropped into the water for operations. All SWCC operators are static-line parachute qualified so they can jump with their boats. ![SWCC parachute]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy)* ### Of course, jumping after a boat means the operators will land in the water. So they conduct open water swims, sometimes into near-freezing water, to prepare. ![SWCC ocean swim]() *Special Warfare Combatant-craft crewmen finish an open ocean swim, with water and air temperatures hovering below 40 degrees. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Tim Miller)* ### The Navy gets sailors ready for this grueling job by demanding constant and rigorous physical training. ![SWCC fins]() A Crewman Qualification Training candidate puts on his flippers before swimming in Coronado Bay during a Monster Mash training exercise. (Photo: U.S. Navy) ### Navy SWCC and SEAL candidates awaiting training are assigned to the Fleet Transition Program to ensure they remain physically capable of becoming elite maritime warriors. ![SWCC swimming]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Abe McNatt)* ### The SWCC training pipeline consists four phases, the two-month Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School, Naval Special Warfare Orientation, Basic Crewman Training, and Crewman Qualification Training. ![SWCC beach training]() *Crewman Qualification Training (CQT) candidates hustle to shore during a Monster Mash training exercise. (Photo: U.S Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Scorza).* ### And the Navy isn't afraid to recruit potential candidates while they're still young. Scout teams go into the community to seek out talented individuals who might be interested in a special operations career. ![SWCC event]() *Chief Petty Officer Joseph Schmidt, assigned to the Navy SEAL and SWCC Scout Team, speaks to San Diego Junior Lifeguard members before a physical training evolution. (Photo: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Pyoung K. Yi)* ### The Navy has over 700 sailors trained and assigned as SWCCs at a time. This tiny force conducts dangerous and essential missions all over the world. ![SWCC sailor]() *(Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Richard Miller)* https://youtu.be/w-8IRTtp9aw ## Author Logan was an Army journalist and paratrooper in the 82nd. Now, he's a freelance writer covering military history, culture, and technology. He has two upcoming podcasts and a Twitch channel focused on basic military literacy. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Facebook]()