Are you allowed to drink any water during that time? The swim books I've read recommend drinking water every 30-45 minutes to prevent dehydration.
During the five mile non-timed swim are you allowed to drink and eat?
If so, do you carry the food/water with you or get it from a boat?
Dick Couch mentioned in his book the Navy now requires all trainees to wear wet suits when the water in less than 70 degrees. They did this after several guys suffered complications from hypothermia after completing the swim. Was this true with your class?
How many boats/instructors are in the water during the swim to monitor the trainees?
How do they differentiate between someone suffering from hypothermia and someone who is just tired and ready to quit?
If you do suffer from hypothermia are you allowed to redo the swim or washed out of the class?
Everyone has a swim buddy:
How are you assigned? (I assume it is by time)
How many "practice" swims do trainees do a week/phase before they are tested?
What do you do if your swim buddy quits during a swim?
Do swim buddies always swim side by side? (I can never see the person swimming behind me)
How close to you have to be to your swim buddy?
How do you keep track of your swim buddy in the dark? Underwater? (everyone looks the same to me when they wear a wetsuit)
Last, how did you keep your conditioning up for swimming while in Iraq and Afgan?
Thanks for your answers, Gin