Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center: International Student Information

140213-N-CG436-031 PANAMA CITY, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2014) Students at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) conduct training operations in the center's 40-foot-deep Aquatic Training Facility. NDSTC, the largest diving facility in the world, trains more than 1,200 military divers from every branch of service each year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Scichilone)

Contact and Application Process

Contact the embassy in your country to find out who the Security Cooperation Office representative and country program manager are for your country. Once in contact with your representatives, they will assist you in the process of applying for a course of instruction. The representatives will also be able to help you get in contact with an NDSTC International Military Student Officer (IMSO). All correspondence should begin with e-mail to ensure all progress is tracked.

PHYSICAL READINESS

NDSTC diving courses are both physically and mentally demanding. Ensure students arrive well prepared and ready to train. Physical training includes intense cardio-based exercises on land and in water. Students will also be expected to have basic knowledge of proper weightlifting practices and swimming techniques (i.e. side stroke, breast stroke, and free style). At a MINIMUM, all students must successfully pass a Navy Physical Screening Test (PST). Minimum scores for the PST can be found in instruction MILSPERMAN 1220-410. Please note, different courses of instruction require different minimum scores to pass. If you cannot access MILSPERMAN 1220-410, contact NDSTC IMSO via your country program manager, and they can supply you with the information. It is HIGHLY suggested students are capable of meeting more than just the minimum PST standards.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

NAVMED P-117 and BUMEDINST 6230.15 require all diver and special forces candidates to be screened for and immunized against tuberculosis, measles, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and varicella. Documented medical exemptions for immunity to the aforementioned infectious diseases are acceptable as evidence of immunity in lieu of vaccination. NAVMED P-117 FURTHER REQUIRES Diver and Special Forces candidates to have two doses of Hepatitis A immunization, and at least the first two out of three doses of Hepatitis B immunization. The third Hepatitis B immunization must be administered prior to the start of any U.S.-based diver or special forces follow-on training. If documentation of completed immunization is lacking or in doubt, proof of serological immunity through testing is sufficient to meet this requirement.

Forms required by NDSTC medical in order to attend training course can be found on https://www.esd.whs.mil/directives/forms/.

Students must arrive at NDSTC with their medical paperwork.

UNIFORM INFORMATION

Students should arrive with a service dress uniform for first day of training and graduation ceremony. Working uniforms/BDUs will be worn for all classroom portions. UDT shorts will be issued upon arrival and worn with a white t-shirt for all physical training and dive side training. Plain blue hooded sweatshirt and sweat pants may be worn during colder months. Two good pair of running shoes are required for all physical training. A pair of steel toed boots is required for all dive side training.