What do you think of when you hear the words "navy diver?" Perhaps you
picture Demi Moore, rifle in hand, crawling stealthily across a moonlit beach
in the movie G.I. Jane. In the film, Moore became the first woman to join
the Navy SEALs, an elite group of naval personnel trained in everything from
martial arts to underwater bomb demolition.
Lieut. Andy Walsh knows all about underwater mines. He is a navy diver
trained in "mine countermeasures" -- detecting and disposing mines.
Walsh has traveled around the globe searching for mines. He says the job
is very risky, even for seasoned professionals.
"Some of those mines left from [the Second World War] contain 120 pounds
of explosives, and they're still live. Of course, the firing pin is probably
faulty, but they're still dangerous."
As a training officer, Walsh's primary duty is to instruct the men
and woman hoping to become clearance divers. It's very competitive --
naval personnel must already have several years experience as a combat diver
or a diver on a ship's team before they can even apply to the program.
Once accepted, candidates undergo a grueling two-week preliminary course.
"It's brutal," says Walsh. "You're often on the go from 7 o'clock
in the morning until 2 o'clock the next morning."
He adds that the stress is academic as well as physical. "You have homework
and you're expected to know it the next day."
For those who survive the introductory course and are accepted into the
program, the next stage is a one-year training course. During this time, they
will learn about everything from ice diving and underwater photography to
mine demolition. Upon graduation, they are assigned to a specific section.
Walsh says it takes a special individual to become a navy diver. "You've
got to have self-discipline and the ability to work on your own. You take
on a great deal of responsibility, more than anywhere else in the navy."
He points out that divers must be prepared to provide medical aid, remove
bodies and handle explosives. At times, they will be forced to perform these
duties in extremely cold or polluted waters.
Walsh says the training course is much tougher than any offered by recreational
scuba diving schools.
"We spend a single afternoon in the pool and the rest of the time in the
ocean, whereas in a regular scuba course you usually spend most of the time
in the pool and have one or two ocean dives," he says.
He adds that divers must become used to wearing heavy equipment, such as
"plotting boots" that add an extra 20 pounds of weight on each leg.
Iryll Jones knows all too well that, whatever your trade, being a navy
diver is a demanding job. As a ship's diver in the United States Navy,
he performs underwater repair on all types of vessels. On any given day, he
might be performing underwater welding on a submarine or repairing the hatchwork
on a destroyer.
"The sea can be too rough or the water can be too cold."
He adds that the problems change depending on the ship's geographical
location. "Every environment is different," says Jones, who has dived all
over the world. "There's a million factors to consider."
These days Jones has an extra reason to be concerned about sea safety.
As chief petty officer, he supervises the diving team on his ship. It's
his job to hand out assignments, make sure a diver is fit to dive that day
and determine whether it is safe to dive at all.
"It's an enormous responsibility," says Jones. "Someone's life
is depending on your decision."
And where do women fit into the picture? As you might have guessed if you
watched the movie G.I. Jane, women are still not allowed in the SEALs. But
if the military remains reluctant to use women in combat situations, many
other areas are open to them.
"The employment situation is very good right now," says Cpl. Kiara Naegli.
"We're actively recruiting women."
Still, she adds that there are a few logistical problems to work out before
women can be completely free to choose whatever area of the navy they wish
to work in.
"Women can't go on the submarines because of space considerations
and lack of facilities," she says. "But the navy is looking into that right
now, and it may change in the future."