Rescue Swimmer School Graduation ?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brad on August 19, 2010 at 5:00pm

Danny, congrats to your son Tom for making it so far. Anything is possible, but this close to the date is a strong case that they should pretty likely to hold that date. Individual performance will now be a factor to an individual's graduation, especially the final which they have been working towards on the medical part. That is the biggest obstacle to Tom's graduation now. If someone makes mistakes during the various layouts of possible injuries during the final, they may not graduate. I know my son's final had 7 individuals laid out with various forms of injuries, and he had to go to each and handle each case with a specific order of what was to be done without errors. There was one guy who messed up and didn't make it through the program as a result, so they do take it serious. I agree that the physical challenges are probably behind him now with only two weeks to go. Mostly more of the same, and he must have already been able to handle or at least get through. I say you should be ok for the reservation, because the risk is well worth being there for him. When Garrett graduated, we were the only parents there. I felt sad for those who worked so hard to get through the second toughest program the Navy offers and no one comes. It is a very small ceremony, but you will be so very proud! Continued success for Tom in completing such a challenging program.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 19, 2010 at 8:18pm

Hi Brad, thanks for getting back to me and congratulations on your son making it through RSS. We were the only parents there when Tom graduated from ACCS and we were really honored to be there so we know how special this is. We talk to him every day and he fills us in on how many in his class are getting rolled back or have to do make-up tests for things they failed the previous day. We're pretty sure if our son has made it this far that he's going to finish up on time so we're just gonna go with the date he gave us. Also thanks for the info on his medical final. Tom has been telling us that the instructors have been really meticulous, and rightly so, when it comes to the medical part. Thanks again for your assistance and kind words, we'll keep you posted on his progress.

Danny



Brad said:

Danny, congrats to your son Tom for making it so far. Anything is possible, but this close to the date is a strong case that they should pretty likely to hold that date. Individual performance will now be a factor to an individual's graduation, especially the final which they have been working towards on the medical part. That is the biggest obstacle to Tom's graduation now. If someone makes mistakes during the various layouts of possible injuries during the final, they may not graduate. I know my son's final had 7 individuals laid out with various forms of injuries, and he had to go to each and handle each case with a specific order of what was to be done without errors. There was one guy who messed up and didn't make it through the program as a result, so they do take it serious. I agree that the physical challenges are probably behind him now with only two weeks to go. Mostly more of the same, and he must have already been able to handle or at least get through. I say you should be ok for the reservation, because the risk is well worth being there for him. When Garrett graduated, we were the only parents there. I felt sad for those who worked so hard to get through the second toughest program the Navy offers and no one comes. It is a very small ceremony, but you will be so very proud! Continued success for Tom in completing such a challenging program.

Permalink Reply by David Wells on August 19, 2010 at 8:35pm

My son was close to graduation when he did a rescue jump from the helicopter. He did a quick exam of the 'survivor' and called for the stretcher. He got set back a week because the instructor 'survivor' was holding his breath at times to indicate a breathing problem, and if there is a breathing problem you call for the sling to get them to the helo as fast a possible. Of course, back when he graduated, less then 45% of those that started the class finished. While we were there for his graduation, a captain and rear admiral were there to find out why so many were washing out of the class. I guess they have made some changes since then (four years ago).

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 20, 2010 at 6:28am

Hi Dave, thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what changes they've made since your son went through, my sons class started with 24 and is now down to 10 so we'll see what happens. He said the last class graduated only five. We're going to head down anyway and take things as they come. Thanks again for the reply.
Danny

David Wells said:

My son was close to graduation when he did a rescue jump from the helicopter. He did a quick exam of the 'survivor' and called for the stretcher. He got set back a week because the instructor 'survivor' was holding his breath at times to indicate a breathing problem, and if there is a breathing problem you call for the sling to get them to the helo as fast a possible. Of course, back when he graduated, less then 45% of those that started the class finished. While we were there for his graduation, a captain and rear admiral were there to find out why so many were washing out of the class. I guess they have made some changes since then (four years ago).

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 20, 2010 at 6:30am

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply and good wishes. We're going to head down no matter what and see what shakes out. Congratulations on your son making it through, how long was your sons A school and how does he like it?
Danny

Scott H said:

Danny congrates to your son Tom for making it this far and good luck to him in these last week. My Son Billy is just finishing up his A school in Pcola in the next couple of weeks and is headed to Mayport for FRAC. I also went to his Graduation from RSS and there werent but a few parents there. Make the plans and go it will mean alot to him. Good luck to him on his journey ahead.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 21, 2010 at 8:50pm

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply, we're going hell or high water. One quick question, Tom is going to the Romeo helo and says his A school is 36 weeks and then FRAC is six months and at some point they squeeze in SERE school, does that sound about right to you? Thanks again for your reply and your sons service.
Danny

Scott H said:

Danny congrates to your son Tom for making it this far and good luck to him in these last week. My Son Billy is just finishing up his A school in Pcola in the next couple of weeks and is headed to Mayport for FRAC. I also went to his Graduation from RSS and there werent but a few parents there. Make the plans and go it will mean alot to him. Good luck to him on his journey ahead.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 22, 2010 at 8:24am

Thanks for the info Scott, two years of training sounds about right, thanks again for your insight
Danny

Scott H said:

Biiliy s A school was only 19 weeks and from what I understand fromhim Frac is most of a year not sure exactly and that would include SERE. From what I understand they will train for most of 2 years that is why after they get there wings they have to sign for 2 extra years. There still alot to learn but Im tryin to pick it up. The sierra A school is much shorter




Danny Maxwell said:

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply, we're going hell or high water. One quick question, Tom is going to the Romeo helo and says his A school is 36 weeks and then FRAC is six months and at some point they squeeze in SERE school, does that sound about right to you? Thanks again for your reply and your sons service.
Danny

Scott H said:

Danny congrates to your son Tom for making it this far and good luck to him in these last week. My Son Billy is just finishing up his A school in Pcola in the next couple of weeks and is headed to Mayport for FRAC. I also went to his Graduation from RSS and there werent but a few parents there. Make the plans and go it will mean alot to him. Good luck to him on his journey ahead.

Permalink Reply by Brad on August 23, 2010 at 10:52am

Danny, Romeo is longer due to the extra sonar workload, and yes they squeeze the SERE in before or during FRAC typically. Garrett's was midway through FRAC. There are two sites, Califorina mountains, or Maine I believe. Since Garrett was in San Deigo with HS-10 they sent him to Cailfornia's site. All the best to Tom when he gets there! Brad

Danny Maxwell said:

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply, we're going hell or high water. One quick question, Tom is going to the Romeo helo and says his A school is 36 weeks and then FRAC is six months and at some point they squeeze in SERE school, does that sound about right to you? Thanks again for your reply and your sons service.
Danny

Scott H said:

Danny congrates to your son Tom for making it this far and good luck to him in these last week. My Son Billy is just finishing up his A school in Pcola in the next couple of weeks and is headed to Mayport for FRAC. I also went to his Graduation from RSS and there werent but a few parents there. Make the plans and go it will mean alot to him. Good luck to him on his journey ahead.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on September 3, 2010 at 11:29am

Hi All, we spoke with our son Tom a couple of days ago and he told us he got rolled back for two weeks, he made one mistake on one of his multi-rescues and that was it. He passed the medical portion with no problem. Needless to say he feels terrible about it but he is more determined than ever to pass this time.
Any of you have any experience with this? He said that only two out of his class passed the entire final.
thanks
Danny

Permalink Reply by David Wells on September 3, 2010 at 6:47pm

Of course we have experience with this.. My son got set back a week for a rescue jump in Pensacola Bay, the instuctor was holding his breath and the son called for the Stokes Stretcher, breathing problems call for the rescue sling (faster). Set back is no reason for shame, that only means they want him to learn a bit more.

Danny Maxwell said:

Hi All, we spoke with our son Tom a couple of days ago and he told us he got rolled back for two weeks, he made one mistake on one of his multi-rescues and that was it. He passed the medical portion with no problem. Needless to say he feels terrible about it but he is more determined than ever to pass this time.
Any of you have any experience with this? He said that only two out of his class passed the entire final.
thanks
Danny

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on September 5, 2010 at 8:05am

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply, my son is hanging in there, he actually likes the training and all of the physical stuff, he just wants to finish and get it over with. I guess if they were really wanted to bust his chops they would've had him start over completely so I would agree with you that they think he's got the goods, thanks again for your insight.
Danny

Scott H said:

Some of Billys buddies were rolled back more then once so tell him to hang in there. He will get it they will work with him as long as they see potential in him. Not to be nagative but some were not given that chance so he should fell positive they rolled him back. Only 10 out of 24 graduated with Billy and that was a big class from what I understand. Tell him to keep his spirits up it is all worth it in the end.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on September 5, 2010 at 8:05am

David Wells said:

Of course we have experience with this.. My son got set back a week for a rescue jump in Pensacola Bay, the instuctor was holding his breath and the son called for the Stokes Stretcher, breathing problems call for the rescue sling (faster). Set back is no reason for shame, that only means they want him to learn a bit more.

Danny Maxwell said:

Hi All, we spoke with our son Tom a couple of days ago and he told us he got rolled back for two weeks, he made one mistake on one of his multi-rescues and that was it. He passed the medical portion with no problem. Needless to say he feels terrible about it but he is more determined than ever to pass this time.
Any of you have any experience with this? He said that only two out of his class passed the entire final.
thanks
Danny

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