What was a key skill that UDT members had to master?

Underwater demolition and reconnaissance was a key skill that UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) members had to master due to their primary mission during World War II, which involved clearing beach obstacles for amphibious landings and gathering vital intelligence about enemy defenses. This required not only the ability to conduct underwater demolitions but also proficient reconnaissance skills to assess and report on the conditions and challenges of landing sites.

UDTs were instrumental in various operations, including those in the Pacific Theater, where their success hinged on being able to efficiently and stealthily gather information and eliminate obstacles that would impede larger landing forces. Mastering underwater demolition allowed them to perform their operations without being detected, which was crucial for the success of naval amphibious assaults and ultimately contributed to the effectiveness of overall military strategy during the war.

Other skills, while important in their own right, did not define the core focus of UDT training and operations to the same extent as underwater demolition and reconnaissance.