Navy Rescue Swimmer Dads

Comment

Comment by Brian on June 10, 2009 at 7:33pm

Dan,

Good questions. Since he has not gone to MEPS there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all the "MOS" you refer to would be his rate which is AW. Rescue Swimming is a sub specialty for Helicopter Aircrewman. If you are Aircrew on a Helo you have to be able to do this specialty but there is a lot more to the job like sensors, weapon systems, etc. See the attached link -

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navyjobs/navyjobs2/blawa.htm

See this link for the further subspecialties AWA, AWN, AWR, AWS

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/aw.htm

AW's can be wet (helo) or dry (P3 or COD aircrew). All wet AW's have to complete NACCS - just like dry- and then go to RSS or Rescue Swimmer School both in Pensacola. Then another school for AWS (Sierra) or AWR (Romeo).

The Navy also has SAR (Search and Rescue) sailors on all the ships. I think a ship has to have a certain number before they can sail. These Sailors can be from any rate and the schools are in Jacksonville, Japan, and I think SD. Make sure the Recruiter does not tell your son that he can pick any job and then later try to get a SAR Swimmer designation....if he wants to fly aircrew he has to pick AW and insure his contract gives him a shot at the schools listed above. They did have bonuses attached to this rate when my son went in but I don't know about now...you can google for the latest info. Besides you have to get your wings before you get your money and it will probably be the hardest money he will ever earn.

There is a ton of changes taking place in the Navy Helicopter Community. They used to be (and some in transition still are) HS, HSL, HM, etc. but I think they will all evolve to HSC and HSM. Maybe another more educated Dad can come along and clear this up.

This falls into your second question. Sierra or Romeo refers to the specific tasks and equipment on the Helo. They both use the same Helo airframe but have different equipment for their specific tasks. I think that HSC will be Sierra and HSM is Romeo. If you do some google searches on Navy Helicopter Squadrons and read their mission statements on the websites you will see the different tasks.

After RSS depending on standing in the class they will pick or be "voluntold" what platform they will be trained for...the AWS school is 6 weeks long and the AWR school is four months. This is your "A" School but is is sort of backwards....the NACCS and RSS are "C" Schools but I guess they want to make sure they can graduate these before the A school. There is a large attrition rate so he needs to be serious and get in shape. My sons RSS school started with 34 and only 14 graduated.

After AWR or AWS they get transferred to a FRS or Fleet Replacement Squadron to be a FRAC or Fleet Replacement Aircrewman. I don't know where the AWR FRS is since my son is in Sierra and those schools are in NAS North Island in CA (HSC-3) and in Norfolk, VA (HSC-2).

Another parent just went to their son's winging ceremony after he completed FRS and she said the CO told them that there are only 400 total Rescue Swimmer Aircrewmen in the Navy so it is somewhat of an elite rate. As far as the physical requirements - I have heard it is third behind Seals and EOD.

Make sure that he is firm at MEPS if he is sure this is what he wants. They have to recruit a certain number because so many of them turn into knuckleheads at P-cola and one episode of under age drinking or another bad decision is not tolerated at all. You go the the fleet as an undesignated Seaman. They are deadly serious about this so tell him to keep his nose clean and study hard. There are huge breaks in the training...you wait four weeks for a school, graduate and then go on hold waiting for another school. You can see the pipeline in the above weeks but it usually takes 18-24 months to get finally assigned to a Helicopter Squadron. You may be an E-4 but you are the new guy you have to start at the bottom.

I think your son will be pleased with the final job. My son is in FRS now and seems to love his job. I have heard that the Helicopter Squadrons are great communities and since they are small - he will not be just a number.

Tell him good luck and thanks for offering to serve. I will try to answer any other questions that come up.

Comment by Brad on June 10, 2009 at 7:18pm

The GW is back out as of today. I got a call from Garrett just befoe they left port. They will be out until late Aug or the first of Sept we think. All is well so far. Due to no internet in his room when he got back he couldn't upload his pics. Well have to wait, possibly when they get to Australia when he can get service again. It was great to hear his voice though before they left.

Comment by Brad on June 10, 2009 at 7:04pm

Welcome to our group! I look forward to helping and hearing how Ian progesses through the process of becoming a Rescue Swimmer in the Navy. Much of what you said is true. At MEPS he will take his test and qualify for many jobs, of which he can choose RS. When he is ready to be sworn in will be determined by their availability for slots on theat job so he could be a delay entry like my son was. He tested in Dec. Signed in Jan but didn't leave for Great Lakes until Memorial Day (back in 2007). He will not necessarily be with other special ops there unless things have changed. But he will be sent to Pensacola for A school, and that is were the hard part will start for Ian. Physical fitness will be very key, so preparation is critical. For example, we wished we had known more about the type of situp requirements and methods they tested him on ahead of time as that was my son's challenge. And everyone, I mean everyone had at least one thing that was harder for them than the others. There will also be a strenous mental aspect to learn the medical requirements and proceedures that they must pass. If you miss too much on a final test, your gone, with no second chance. What backgroud does Ian have from a sports perspective? In the end though when he makes it through he will have made it through the 2nd hardest program the Navy has next to the Seals, as said by them at graduation. The reward will be a spectacular career. Sierra and Romeo are names for types of the helecopters used. Some are set up more for the job of sub-hunting (sonar) that the RS doubles his duties with, and the other is not. My son needed to pick a rate in addition to RS even though at MEPS they said he didn't need to, he did which was AW that allows him the sonar job as well. We have heard that the AW requirement may be changing so you will need to get a better update possibly from someone at A school if your recuiter can find out. I hope this gets you started and I look forward to hearing more from you about Ian.

Comment by Dan C on June 10, 2009 at 6:26pm

Difference between Sierra and Romeo designation?

Comment by Dan C on June 10, 2009 at 6:23pm

My son is currently in the pipeline for enlistment, he is interested in Rescue swimmer as a MOS. The way I understand it, he goes to MEPS sits with a "job counselor" and choses a job. Then he takes the PST and if completed successfully his contract is changed to RS and he is placed with other special ops at Great Lakes during boot camp, and then is sent to NAS Pensacola for A school. Is this true, and is there anything we should know before hand to help him.

Comment by Brad on June 8, 2009 at 12:38pm

The USS Geaorge Washington is back in port in Japan for a couple of days before they leave for a much longer tour. Garrett says he is glad to be back on shore for a bit before they go out again, maybe next week! I can't wait to see the pictures he took. I will share when they get in.

Comment by Brad on June 8, 2009 at 12:35pm

Scott, great to have you aboard. How long has your son been in, and where is he now? Pensacola will be the training base to start. Let me know if you or he has any other questions. Thanks for joining!

Comment by Brad on May 22, 2009 at 9:07pm

Well finally my son is out to sea on the USS George Washington from their port in Japan, as they shipped out two days ago. Those who start the journey to become a Rescue Swimmer may wonder if they will ever get out and do what they dreamed. It WILL happen with dedication and hard work. While Garrett took the longer road of HS, learning sonar, etc. he now finds himself out doing the adventure he dreamed with two jobs to keep him busy instead of just one. Memorial day will mark his 2 year anniversary of the day he left for boot camp. Proof positive that your son or daughter can get through one of the toughest programs the Navy has to offer. Enjoy this Memorial weekend and thank God for those who serve and may God bless the families of those who lost loved ones who served.

Comment by Brad on April 16, 2009 at 6:52pm

I just received some photos from my son in Japan serving with the HS 14. Feel free to see how it looks from the Helo's they use! The pics are on my page, as well as uploaded to the site.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on February 24, 2009 at 7:57pm

Bravo Brad-- always tough to think about the goodbyes--- but they are worth the hello.....

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