In the aftermath, Congress held hearings to understand how the tragedy could occur, and mandated the establishment of the Coast Guard rescue swimmer program, to be modeled after one the U.S. Navy was running. If they pass, then their collateral duty is to be the Swimmer for their respective vessel. Candidates are expected to undergo intense training so they are prepared to handle dangerous, high-risk rescue missions. Received a high school diploma or GED equivalent. ASTs may serve at large or small Air Stations servicing HC-130J (Hercules), HC-27 (Spartan), HC-144 (Ocean Sentry), HH-60T (Jayhawk), and MH-65D (Dolphin) aircraft. It is obviously far and above the normal lifeguard course; you're not just treading water, you're expected to be able to hold your breath, and perform challenging tasks. If you would like to pursue the specialized unit, making yourself aware of the intense training and schooling is step one toward becoming a fully-qualified, recognized member. The 2006 movie The Guardian featured Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher as well as a number of actual ASTs and Coast Guardsmen as extras, and told a fictional story of two rescue swimmers. Trained to operate in a variety of maritime environments, ASTs are highly conditioned rescue and survival experts, as well as highly capable aviation life support equipment technicians. Its important to perform well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) because the test score opens up more job possibilities. An approximate 75-100 attend training for the team each year and some progress to become specialists of the unit. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer must be able to function for at least 30 minutes in harsh weather, whether the environment is heavy seas, unstable platforms or rough terrain. The U.S. Coast Guard requires you to meet these minimum physical fitness requirements before you graduate boot camp: And these physical fitness requirements are for females: The Coast Guard has demanding physical fitness requirements because of the degree of difficulty being in dangerous waters. Visit the Recognizing DHS Excellence page for more stories about this years awardees. Our success in meeting this goal is the result not only of how well the SAR system responds to maritime SAR incidents, but also the efforts of other maritime safety programs, including recreational boating safety and commercial vessel safety. Here are some frequently asked questions. Schooling for an opportunity as one of the team members lasts 24 weeks. The schooling and training is some of the most demanding you will find in any branch of the U.S. Military. The opportunity to join the elite force is remarkably selective, as only 900 individuals have achieved high enough scores in training to become ASTs since the 1980s. The United States Coast Guard has nearly 41,000 active-duty members. Ask your recruiter about the Annex-X Program if interested in the AST rate! Other rescue swimmers are members of the Danish Navy and operate from Westland Lynx Mk 90B helicopters based on Thetis-class ocean patrol vessels in the waters around Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and, occasionally, Iceland. Roberts explained that a massive chain of activities are required to safely rescue someone and usually includes support from civilian partners (ambulance drivers, hospital staff, etc.). Coast Guard basic training takes place in New Jersey. 160th SOAR(A) has had personnel complete the course. Ad Choices, The Waterlogged Hell of Becoming a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. Its the only training center dedicated to basic training for the U.S. Coast Guard. So being comfortable in the water is an understatement. The first female U.S. Navy rescue swimmer was HMC Catherine Elliott (Rizzo). The focus is to run shorter and faster runs in the week and a long, slower run at a comfortable pace on the weekend. The military branch will look into any criminal record as well as history with alcohol or drug abuse. Recruits are allowed to receive letters throughout boot camp, and are encouraged to reach out to friends and family while they go through the grueling training. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. High seas, medical evacuations, downed aviators, sinking vessels, and hurricanes are some of the deadly scenarios that Coast Guard rescue swimmers are trained to handle. Related Article Coast Guard Jobs List: A List of all 24 Ratings in the Coast Guard. Prospective candidates are then selected to participate in AST A School. Related Article: 18 Pros And Cons Of Joining The Coast Guard. It includes intense physical fitness, particularly long hours of fitness in a pool. Pararescue must also undergo a very rigorous form of training known as CSAR (combat search and rescue). AHRS is considered the premier helicopter-rescue training school of its kind by most military and civilian rescue operators.[3]. It is little surprise that they must represent the best swimmers the U.S. Military has to offer as they deal with high seas and other challenging environments. There are requirements for joining the Coast Guard like every other military branch. Matthew Belson/U.S. This is what makes a Rescue Swimmer a part of the Special Operations force of the United States Navy. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has its own unit of rescue swimmers as well. The RS must have the mental capacity, flexibility, mobility, strength, power, agility, endurance, and equipment to function for at least 30 minutes in heavy seas, on unstable platforms, on rugged terrain during severe adverse weather conditions. A rescue swimmer saves Tom Cruise's character Maverick in Top Gun. [citation needed] Required fields are marked *. In order to survive basic training and become an official Guardsman, the Coast Guard recommends that recruits stop using tobacco. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Set Your Fitness Goals to Become a Military Asset, Practicing Mindfulness the Marine Corps Way Leads to Mental Resilience, Ask Stew: How to Become a Faster Runner When Time Is Tight. The U.S. Coast Guard utilizes these basic requirements for its initial screening. After graduating from Rescue swimmer school (RSS), students go on to their respective 'A' School, also in Pensacola, Florida. Rescue Swimmers with the U.S. Coast Guard must have EMT skills, and there are even higher demands for the Coast Guard Air Station in Sitka, Alaska. If you screen as overweight, your height and wrist measurements may be rechecked or verified. It helps gauge how candidates can do under very stressful circumstances. The coastal defense and maritime law enforcement branch has strict physical fitness standards. Furthermore, maintaining a regular exercise routine and limiting alcohol use goes a long way in making sure youre completely prepared. The primary job of a surface rescue swimmer is whatever they enlisted as. Rescue swimmer school is conducted at the Coast Guard Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Coast Guard basic training (or boot camp) lasts eight weeks. On the day of the rehearsal, the rough-sea state and high winds forced Sterzel and Eloff to exit into the North Atlantic Ocean from the skid of a Bell helicopter at a height of over 40 feet, which causes significant water-entry shock on entry. These are simulations using a large pool with wind and rain machines that can mimic category one hurricane conditions. Moreover, the U.S. Coast Guard has a good benefits package which includes health insurance and financial aid for continuing your education. In 2002, Faulkner won transfer to the Coast Guard's Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama, and she was deployed there as one of 20 swimmers involved in rescues along the Gulf of Mexico. ), An aptitude for mechanics, with a focus on school courses like algebra, geometry, and machinery being helpful, 25 Yard Underwater swim: Completed 4 times. The Coast Guard's team of ASTs is composed of about 350 active-duty members, and just over 1000 members have passed the training to become Helicopter Rescue Swimmers since the mid-1980s. The premier helicopter-rescue training allows ASTs to interact with rescue swimmers from the other branches of the U.S. Military. The ultimate goal of the Coast Guard's SAR program is to prevent loss of life in every situation where our actions and performance could possibly be brought to bear. Though ASTs experience some of the most demanding schooling and training of any known U.S. Military unit, there are no reported deaths during training. Rescue swimmer is a designation given to rescue specialists, most commonly in the service of the military. [2] They are highly trained and relentlessly conditioned field operatives. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. But it's not the standard EMT training; it's for rescues to be conducted in the open seas under extreme conditions. The Coast Guard basic requirements allow the coastal defense and maritime branch to make sure you are fit for service: *NOTE: Coast Guard Reservists may enlist between the ages of 17-40. The station is host to Air Force pararescuemen, which provides candidates the opportunity to interact with pararescuemen as well as Navy rescue swimmers. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the most common contract consists of four years of active duty and four years in the inactive Reserve component. However, you will need to remain patient as training is long and intensive. 1 mile Litter walk in 16 minutes or less. Training is tough and ongoing. The training you are seeking is hardcore physical and mental training that will challenge you to your core. > Flying Into the Storm: The True Story of a Harrowing Ocean Rescue, > Welcome to the Coast Guard's Flamingo-Ridden Bahamian Base. Therefore, there are positions available in the Coast Guard with the right dedication and discipline. The actress who played the main character in the live-action film based on the same work, Yuko Takayama, was the orphan of an Air Self-Defense Force medic who was killed in the line of duty. The training is purposely demanding and intense. You have to be able to think and perform challenging tasks while submerged, holding your breath and getting tossed around my 10- to 20-foot waves. For example, a BM (Boatswain's mate (United States Navy)) can apply to attend Surface Rescue Swimmer School. After arriving to their respective squadrons, Aviation Rescue Swimmers are required annually to perform a SAR fitness test. The rating began in 1968 when the U.S. Coast Guard combined Parachute Rigger (PR) and Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) to create the Aviation Survivalman (ASM) Rating. Rescue swimmer is the collateral duty or aircrew position of the AST. 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