I'm a 21 year old African American and I'm struggling with the swimming portion of the PAST(aside from the bone density thing, I know I'm negative in the water, I sink, I get it, it's part of my physical makeup). Are there any tips any operators can give me? I want to get a GTEP for CCT REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD! I've done my research on the topic and know a little about CCT from the name change from Air Force Pathfinders to CCT in 1953 to various stories of operators throughout the special tactics community ranging from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq. I've even been told by my father, who was a Ranger for 15+ years, that I was wasting my time and I should go for TACP instead. But I won't quit. Is there any way I can increase my swimming endurance, other than killing myself in the pool? I've been swimming and I don't really see any improvement.

Have you sought out swimming lessons yet? Coaching, practice, and good form are going to be your keys to success in the water.

bl23,
Coaching is your best bet. Good swimming form doesn't come naturally to most of us and form and the resulting efficiency make a great deal of difference in your swimming performance. The fastest way to get better form is to get some coaching. After you have the basics down, you practice a lot and maybe get someone to film your form so you can see what you are doing right and wrong. You may only need a coach for a couple of weeks. Heck, swimming is even an elective course at a lot of colleges and you can take courses at the YMCA or local pool (if available) so it doesn't have to be expensive. It generally only takes 2-4 weeks to learn the basic strokes but it may take another month or two to get efficient enough that you don't need coaching.
One of the best Controllers I ever met was African American and didn't even know how to swim when he took the PAST. They miscounted his laps (he had struggled through 3 laps but somehow the counter said he did all 10 laps) and told him he passed. He learned to swim from his class mates in the two week gap between BMT and the start of Pararescue/CCT Selection School back in the late 1980s. Obviously it can be done!
Good luck.

NOTrainee: Thanks I'm looking into lessons now.

Guard: That's amazing! That has motivated me in entirely new ways. I'm going to keep training, get lessons, and get that contract.

I'll post my PAST scores when I get my official one done.

All great advice.

One more thing...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2009/news/story?id=3911615

Never Quit.