The rankings for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Combat Diver Competition 2023 have been announced. The three-day event took place in September 25-27, 2023, in Key West, Florida. The host was the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS). The competition took place on and around the Naval Air Station Key West installation. This was an inaugural event which should take place on a yearly basis.

There were 13 two-man teams in the competition – taking part in ten competitive events that tested their mental and physical toughness while proving their ability to demonstrate their knowledge of advanced combat dive capabilities. The events took place on land, sea, and air incorporating dive, pool, kayak race, academic testing, and water parachute jumps.

Photo: Competitors in the 2023 U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Dive Team Competition validate their equipment and undergo pre-competition training at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s Special Forces Underwater Operations School at NAS Key West, Florida Sept. 25, 2023. (Photo by K. Kassens, U.S. Army)

Competition Events:

• Day 1: Academic Exam, Physical Fitness Test
• Day 2: Static line parachute jump into a water drop zone morphing into a 1,500 klic kayak race, pool events, and a 1,500-meter navigation dive in Fleming Bay.
• Day 3: 1,500-meter navigation dive, contour dive, helo cast, surface swim, and four-mile run.

Photo: Competitors in the 2023 U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Dive Team Competition validate their equipment and undergo pre-competition training at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s Special Forces Underwater Operations School at NAS Key West, Florida Sept. 25, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)

The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) entered four teams; the remaining teams came from Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) units. The Marine Raiders and Air Force Special Warfare teams withdrew from the competition – but should be present next year. The 13 two-man teams were from the USAJKFSWCS, 1st SFG(A), 7th SFG(A), and Navy SEALs.

Photo: Competitors in the 2023 U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Dive Team Competition descend into Patton Water Drop Zone at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s Special Forces Underwater Operations School at NAS Key West, Florida Sept. 26, 2023. (Photo by K. Kassens, U.S. Army)

Rankings:

• 1st Place: 5th Special Forces Group
• 2nd Place: 2nd Special Warfare Training Group
• 3rd Place: 5th Special Forces Group
• SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1

Photo: Competitors in the 2023 U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Dive Team Competition take part in a 1,500-meter kayak race after parachuting into the water at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s Special Forces Underwater Operations School at NAS Key West, Florida Sept. 26, 2023. (Photo by K. Kassens, U.S. Army)

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Video – Inside the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course, Coffee or Die Magazine, September 18, 2022, 18 minutes. Watch this video about the six-week dive course conducted at Key West, Florida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaNuUU10kTc

Video – Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School, U.S. Army, August 21, 2015, 4 minutes. Watch a video about the Army’s dive course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW-dFhkV1qQ

Photos: Courtesy of United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).