Why Special Ops Use the CSS and Not the
More Common Competitive Swimming Strokes? 

This is the most common question asked (usually by lifelong competitive swimmers) about the military's use of the side stroke or the Combat Swimmer Stroke (CSS), aka the Combat Side Stroke. These typically appear in my comments section on the Instagram Reels or my CSS Critique TikTok Channel, and with the unfortunate trolling tone a teenage swimming athlete can offer.  

My answer with attitude:  Just because you have spent countless hours swimming in a pool at competitive levels does not mean you know everything about swimming. There is another world that involves tactical uses of swimming/ SCUBA diving done by military commandos for generations before you ever decided to put on a speedo and stare at a black line for a sport. 

My answer with more information:  Here are the many reasons why competitive strokes may not be the best answer for Spec Ops Swimming:

The RULES: First, the 500yd Navy Physical Screening Test (PST) allows for the elementary side stroke, the breaststroke, or the modified side stroke nick-named the Combat Swimmer Stroke. The general theme is that these strokes must be "underwater recovery strokes." 

However, beyond the PST (getting accepted into training) will require the addition of swimming and SCUBA diving with fins mostly in open water. 99% of your swimming with be done in fins once you are accepted into the training. So, if you choose to use breaststroke as your PST stroke, you will also need to learn the side stroke with fins to succeed beyond Day 1 of training/selection and get THROUGH the training. 

1 - Stealth - Being quiet, not making splashes, and creating a low profile is the business of special operations and makes the side stroke or CSS more beneficial over the competitive swim strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly). Now, imagine swimming at night, and you will understand how useful the quiet, low-profile CSS is a better option. 

2 - Efficient - Most Special Ops members never swam competitively but must be comfortable and capable in the water. Learning a stroke that is energy-saving for miles in the open water (in fins) is required in some mission insertion and extraction phases. There is no need for a special ops candidate or member to be a world-class competitive swimmer...nor any athletic activity. However, all special ops members must be good at everything vs. great at any one event that forces opposite weaknesses. 

3 - More Than Swimming - Typically, ocean water is cold, dark, and unforgiving. Depending on the mission, the members of special ops teams who use a water insertion into an area will also need to carry gear, weapons, ammo, and other special equipment. These insertions will likely include diving with little swimming, but the swimming must also be quiet and powerful enough to carry/drag the equipment. 

4 - Mindset of Candidates - From the beginning, the candidates and students who strive to become special ops members must understand that special swim skills must be learned and perfected in all weather conditions and eventually in all sea states. From day 1 of their first fitness test, the students realize this is not a normal swimming competition. This stroke leads to a profession where the need for efficiency, confidence, and stealth are embedded into everything done in special ops.  

The Difference Between CSS and Elementary Side Stroke - A picture is worth 1000 words so check out this video below and you can see the glide phases and the top arm pulls are completely different in the CSS vs Elementary Side Stroke. 

Learn More with Video Critiques at TikTok.com/@stewsmith50 for free coaching (or Instagram Reels @stewsmith50

Besides, Swimming with fins will be 90% of all swim training in spec ops diving / rescue swimming selection. You will use the side stroke, CSS, Lead Arm / Trail Arm or Turtlebacking with fins for all open water swimming events. The CSS without fins is nearly identical to swimming CSS with fins. 

During Spec Ops Training and Beyond - LATA or CSS with Fins- Another option is the Lead Arm Trail Arm Method used primarily by the Air Force Special Warfare program. While the CSS will be used in the Navy Spec Ops programs. Both will be used when swimming in open water and / or selection testing swims, depending on the branch of service.  Here is a side by side video showing the differences:

Many swimmers become members of Special Ops units. These candidates do well in the water with their swimming and treading skills, but gravity is not the swimmer's friend. Load bearing, running, rucking, general strength, speed, and agility on land can break a candidate who never got out of the pool for additional athletic training. Though the skills learned from competitive swimming are great, the need to grow beyond the competitive strokes, learn the tactical strokes,  and become a tactical athlete will be needed if you choose this path. 

Are You Considering a Life in Special Operations? Start HERE: 

Crushing the PST (Swim, PT, Run)

PST:  Putting it ALL Together:  Learn HOW to take this test or you will never even make it TO the Training. 

The PST CLINIC – Step by Step Breakdown of the Navy BUDS / SWCC / EOD / Diver / Air Rescue PST

Getting Faster Runs and Swims (PST related)

Classic Week of PST Training (FREE)

Do You Want a Better PST Score?

Learn How to PST Transition - Especially if the run is the worse event after doing the preceding PST events. 

The Week of the PST Test – How to Arrange Your Training

The 500yd Swim of the PST is just the first event of the 5 part PST.  Learn HOW to take the test efficiently so you can crush all events. See related articles on Crushing the PST:

Once you get the contract - congrats!  You made it TO the training. Now you must focus on being in the top 25% of your class on Day 1 of the First Phase in as many events as possible because the bottom 75% typically will not make it.  That means you now have to train to get THROUGH the training. There is a difference between the two phases of tactical fitness. You can do both at the same time AFTER you have reached optimal numbers on the PST. 

After You Pass the PST - Assess Yourself for 
Any Other Weaknesses (Assessment Tool)

Your Weaknesses Will Be Exposed IF YOU Ignore Them - During the Recruiting Process and certainly through Prep and BUD/S itself. 

Not being prepared for your "dream job" is on you. It takes time to get to the level of being able to crush the PST and then the follow on logs, boats, and weekly 4 mile runs, and 2 ocean mile swims with fins. Just because you can crush a PST, does not mean anything for the follow on events at BUDS. 

Show up on Day 1 of your job interview (PST Test Day) well prepared and be in the passing group at least. Showing up and failing is the wrong attitude and a horrible first impression to your future employer. YES - take it that seriously IF you really want this. After all, it only takes Four Steps to Get Prepared for Special Ops Selection. 

If you want help, that’s what I do…. Check out these resources that have helped spec ops candidates succeed where others have failed for the last 20+ years!

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