Marines with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, prepare to board an Amphibious Assault Vehicle during a surf qualification here, Sept. 6, 2013. The training ensured the Marines know how to properly evacuate their AAV and swim back to shore in case of an emergency. The battalion conducts the surf qualification annually. The swim to shore presents the Marines with many challenges, including the confidence to jump into the cold water while facing the waves rushing over them. Gators conduct surf qualification 130906-M-PC317-137

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Keywords: 1st, 3rd, amphibian, armed, assault, battalion, camp, conflict, corps, division, expeditionary, force, forces, marine, marines, military, pendleton, qualification, states, surf, united, usmc, war