Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command graduated its 100th class of specially-trained small boat operators at a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado Thursday.

The Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC) rating has only been officially recognized by the Navy since 1987, but has its roots in the small-boat operations that have always been part of the service.

This milestone graduation was marked by an intimate “compass” ceremony, with only SWCC operators attending, followed by a larger “pinning” ceremony in front of family and friends.

Forty candidates began this training cycle across two classes, and 10 made it through to graduation.


SWCC operators operate the small boats that transport the more well-known Navy SEALs into and then out of harm’s way. And while their training is similar to what SEALs endure, SWCC operators maintain a much lower profile.

According to the training command’s officer-in-charge, that’s the way they like it.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “We pride ourselves on professionalism and being humble.”

Navy Lt. Trevor Davids, the Naval Special Warfare Center’s public information officer, asked The San Diego Union-Tribune not to name active-duty operators — including members of class 100.


“All these guys will go on to do clandestine work,” he said.

And that work is dangerous.

At the smaller compass ceremony, each graduate is given a small, wooden box containing a compass, symbolizing the only navigation instrument they could not do without. Engraved on each box was the name of a different fallen comrade.

After the compass ceremony, grads were ushered over to a larger staging area for their pinning ceremony.


The SWCC pin is similar in size to the SEALs’ famous trident. It features a small boat with a crossed cutlass and flintlock pistol.

A board displays Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) basic warfare pins representing the students of Class 100, which graduated today. (Petty Officer 1st Class William Gaskill/ U.S. Navy)

Unlike the SEALs, the SWCC community does not have its own officer corps. Instead, each special boat team is led by a SEAL officer.

The commanding officer of Special Boat Team 20, a Navy SEAL commander, delivered the keynote address at the pinning ceremony. Afterwards, he talked about the invaluable role SWCC played in the mission of the SEALs.


“These guys are unsung heroes overshadowed by the public image of the SEALs,” he said. “We need to shine some light on the (SWCCs), they are special people.”

The commander also mentioned the similarity between SEAL and SWCC candidates.

“There are a ton of similarities,” he said. “The ideal SWCC candidate is not afraid to turn a wrench (and) not afraid of big diesel engines. If you’re into boating — high-performance boating — those are the kind of areas you can really excel as a SWCC.”

Each SWCC graduate completed 27 weeks of training, including running a total of 157 miles, swimming 44 miles and completing the obstacle course at least 14 times.


The total ammunition expended by the class exceeded 37,000 rounds of small arms ammo and 135,000 rounds of heavy weapons ammo. They navigated 750 nautical miles over 200 hours.

Navy Special Warfare is a small component of the overall Navy, representing only 1.7 percent of the branch. The roughly 800-member SWCC community is smaller still, at .25 percent of the force.