What is SWCC?

The SWCC section here will focus on the professional development of the SWCC and will grow with articles of interest as they become available.

For now the OFFICIAL NAVY SWCC website is: www.swcc.navy.mil

10-31-06, GMCM Jim Gray (SWCC) ret.     What is SWCC? They are Naval Special Warfare Combatant Craft crewmen. The SWCC are the modern descendant of the BSU, CRD, and SBU boatguy. Their history is what you, the old boatguys has done through the decades. They wouldn't be here without your contributions to NSW history. The SWCC are the Boatguys of today serving in Special Boat Teams and making their own history and adding to ours, for we are a Brotherhood. Read more here.

Original SWCC School Instructors - by Lee Estes

The first SWCC class was in 1990. It was started using the old Seafox course as a base. The guy that got the ball rolling was ENC Bob Curtis. He was an old Vietnam Boat Guy; I first meet him when we were station at the boat unit in Panama (84-87) He was at SBU-12 before he came over to the school house.

I was at SBU-20 (88-91) when I got my orders. Bill Redmond and Mike Andre from SBU-12 were next. We then put out a call to all of the Boat Units for help at writing and putting together a real Boat Guy course. What we got was BMCS Kelly Webb (SBU-26), BMCM Frank Walters (SEAL) and QM2 David Wylie (SBU-12)  and these guys were sent TAD for six months. SBU- 11/12/13 /20/24/26 all sent guys for a short time. The next class was held in 1992 and it was five weeks long. Bob ran the school house for another year until 1993 and then I took over. I had it for a little more than a year. Steve Bronson came on board; he made E7 and took over. He held it for about three months and I took over until I left in late 1995.

QMCS Hector Morales was my relief. This is about the time that we (SWCC) got our first detailer. I took one of four boat guy billets in Bahrain (95-96). My next assignment was SBU-12 (96-99) and my last was SBU/T-22 (99-03). Since my retirement I have worked at an Alligator ranch in La, for the U.S. Park Police in Washington DC. I now live in NC and work for Blackwater doing what I learned as a boat guy. My name is Lee Estes

11-17-06  CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The first Special Warfare Combatant Craft (SWCC) class for the new rates of Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) and Special Warfare Operator (SO) graduated during a commencement ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado Nov.9     Read more here.

10-10-06 SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command commemorated the creation of the new Special Warfare Operator (SO) and Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) ratings in a ceremony Oct. 2 in Coronado, Calif.   Read more here

THE QUIET PROFESSIONALS OF SWCC It was a steady 15 knots through the San Diego Bay; but upon clearing the channel, the boat began to pick up speed; 17 knots, 24 knots, 36 knots in a matter of seconds.  Read more here

Commissioning Program Created for Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen - It's been a little over a year since the Navy formally recognized the Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) Program with its own designator. SWCC are responsible for operating a variety of small boats in direct support of Navy SEALs and other special operations forces.  Read more here

First SWCC Warrant Officer Commissioned - Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2) David L. Wylie III, Special Boat Team (SBT) 12 in Coronado, Calif., was commissioned as the first Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) warrant officer Oct.1, at a ceremony held aboard Naval Amphibious Base.  Read more here