Article Display

Aquaman Keeps eye on prize

Airman 1st Class Jordan Robinson performs flutter kicks between sets of 200-meter laps in the indoor pool at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Oct. 7, 2014. Robinson exercises here daily in preparation to attend the selection phase of Air Force Combat Controller School. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Scott/Released)

Aquaman keeps eyes on prize

Airman 1st Class Jordan Robinson jumps back into the pool after performing pushups between sets of 200-meter laps in the indoor pool at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Oct. 7, 2014. Robinson exercises here daily in preparation to attend the selection phase of Air Force Combat Controller School. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Scott/Released)

Aquaman keeps eyes on prize

Airman 1st Class Jordan Robinson, a cyber systems operator with the 87th Communication Squadron ties the feet of Airman 1st Class Zachary Baker, also a cyber systems operator with the 87th Communication Squadron, as they prepare to perform partial “Dead Man’s Float” swimming drills at the indoor pool at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Oct. 7, 2014. With their legs tied, Robinson and Baker sink themselves to the bottom of the pool before kicking their way back up for air, then repeating the process for another two minutes. The swimming drills are a part of Robinson’s training regimen as he prepares to attend the selection phase of Air Force Combat Controller School. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Scott/Released)

Aquaman keeps eyes on prize

Airman 1st Class Jordan Robinson, a cyber systems operator with the 87th Communication Squadron, performs pushups between sets of 200-meter laps in the indoor pool at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Oct. 7, 2014. Robinson exercises here daily in preparation to attend the selection phase of Air Force Combat Controller School. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan Scott/Released)

JB MDL's 'Aquaman' keeps eyes on Combat Controller job

Published Oct. 9, 2014
By Sgt. Ryan Scott
123rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- It was still dark here as the Airmen patiently waited outside the front door to the base's indoor pool. It was a chilly morning, but the cold didn't seem to bother them.

One joked about how hot and humid it would be once they got in.

Once inside, the young men wasted no time getting their equipment set up on their lane and jumping into the warm water.

From across the pool, they seemed to be simply roughhousing in the water.

"We're practicing buddy breathing," said Airman 1st Class Jordan Robinson, a cyber systems operator with the 87th Communication Squadron here.

The drill consists of two of the men staying just below the water, sharing a single snorkel to catch their breath. After about a minute, a third participant starts pushing them further under the water, attempting to pull them away from each other, creating waves, plugging the snorkel and simply trying to make it as hard as possible for the two sharing the snorkel to catch their breath.

"I'm just trying to push myself to my limits every day because that's what'll happen at Indoc," Robinson said.

Indoc refers to the indoctrination phase of Combat Controller School, one of the most grueling courses offered by the U.S. military.

Combat Controllers are members of U.S. Air Force Special Operations and operate in remote, and sometimes hostile, areas, helping the Air Force accomplish its mission by directing air traffic and alerting pilots and command of the location of enemy forces on the ground.

"I want to do something to better myself," Robinson said. "But I really just want to do it because I want to save lives."

Robinson arrives at the pool every weekday by 5:30 a.m. and spends two to three hours swimming and performing the types of water drills he can expect to encounter during the first phase of Combat Controller School.

"He works out four times a day," said Airman 1st Class Zachary Baker, also a cyber systems operator with the 87th CS and Robinson's suite-mate. "He wants to be the best, and he refuses to be anything less."

Baker joins Robinson a few times a week to help him practice his "buddy drills."

"He wants it," Baker said. "His motivation is incredible."

Robinson began training in earnest nearly seven months ago.

"When I first started, I couldn't even swim 100-meters," Robinson said. "Now I'm up to 4000-meters, and am able to swim for a couple of hours nonstop."

Robinson hopes to apply for the specialized course early next year, but admits he still has a lot of work to do. He credits the Air Force for giving him the drive to see his goals through.

"The Air Force has taught me serious discipline," he said. "It taught me to never stop pushing myself, to never quit."