Swimming the Rio Chagres was part of the course. We made poncho rafts and across we went with our buddies. Of course since I was most comfortable in the water (maybe not the strongest swimmer, but growing up in the Ocean State can have its good points) I was with the weakest swimmer, and it took forever to get across.
I was surprised at how well we all faired in the jungle. One guy had a festering sore on his leg, and the second day two guys went down fromt he heat, but that was it. Of course, being in an 18 man platoon may have helped, we had one EMT and four combat lifesavers constantly checking feet and such.
JOTC had a great cadre, and the three weeks+ I spent there are one of the highlights of my Army time. I was saddened to see that we gave it away.
Mormonsniper, I envy you the experience. 13 years later I still dream about the jungle. I fell in love down there.
Willard