That's wild! You were one of the instructors when I went through aircrew school in August 2011. I remember sitting in backlog for 6 months just waiting to class up. I flew on C130s for 10 years as an AWF.
Coasties did not have rescue swimmers when I went through "East Coast" SAR/Rescue swimmer school at HS-1, /NAS Jax "back in the day" (1981). In fact we had two coasties and a boat guy in my class of twenty candidates when they were trying to figure out their in house pipe line and one of them DOR'd as I recall. Old school "sharks and daisy's" would weed guys out real fast!. Dig your channel brother, keep bringing it!
I’m glad to see a legacy swimmer. I’m actually digging into the history of all the navy’s special operations groups and the history behind them. The coast guard swimmers will be throw on there as well since their origins are from the Navy. I worked with old school instructors who did the sharks and daisies until that kid Moreki died.
Darren , Excellent job on your videos !! My late relative during the Vietnam Era was Navy Rate : Field Service Dental 🦷 Technician ( blue side) and secondarily Field Medical 🏥 Technician ( (for the Marines/green sode ) between 1969-1975. He only won NDSM over his 6 year career. He was Navy Individual Mobilization Augmented Immediately after boot camp. However my relative during boot camp was pulled into Irregular Warfare ( PsyOps) , FLE, COIN, and Special Operations Communities . However, his Navy Rate administratively never ever changed his entire career. His first duty location after boot camp in Navy Training Command San Diego CA and Navy Medical Center San Diego CA was NAS Meridian MS . If my late relative would have been able to see your videos he would have been impressed to see your dedication to your craft. Enjoy retirement!
I became a U S Navy Rescue Swimmer in June of yes, a long time ago and I'm sure things have changed. I was on deck force as an undesignated. We trained at the pool in Yokosuka, Japan. At that time the Navy SEALS put on the training. We had 49 who started and 11 of us finished the month-long training with an additional week of class training. The requirement was 2 rescue swimmers on each ship. I actually did the demonstration for all of the ships Captains and our Admiral on my ship, the USS Oklahoma City, CG-5 by rescuing a person out in Yokosuka Bay. I was covered by tiny jellyfish since they had a huge outbreak for some reason and was covered with them after I was hoisted back on my ship. Frankly I think everyone should go through aviation training as well since each ship normally has a Helo on it. Not all but most. I enjoyed your explanation of the differences between the two. Great video and well done!
Hey Darien, I was going through TH-cam and always like to see content on Navy Aircrew. I'm a retired ATC (AWS)(NAC) with time in both fixed wing and rotary communities. Started out in HAL-3 in Vietnam. My son is a retired AW1 who retired a few years ago. He was an AIRR in the East Coast Lamps community. His last Squadron was HSM-48 Vipers. He was an instructor at ACCS and AW "A" and was involved early on in the development team for the transition to the SH-60R. He spent quite a bit of time in North Island. You may know him AW1 James MacFarlane (AWS)(NAC)(MTS) Ret. I was interested in the way you got in the Aircrew Pipeline. You got a leg up with your uncle, James got a leg up with a flying buddy of mine who was a classifier at NRD Jax.
That’s awesome! I’m not sure if I do know him, but maybe we’ve crossed paths. I love hearing about our job. Can’t find much out there and I felt it’s easier for me to do it than to wait for it. Thank you for your service as well.
Darien , I enjoyed your assessment of SAR , the only thing I would add is that most surface SAR are SEAL candidates. I know my own personal experience was SEAL PT , A school and before BUDS I was put on probation. So I was sent to the fleet. I was approached by 2 other SEAL candidates who were in the same situation. We used SAR as a means to demonstrate our ability to stay out of trouble follow orders etc. once I was leaving for BUDS I then recruited another SEAL candidates who took over my spot. I think you would be surprised how many SEALS have SAR certifications. Again enjoyed your page
Interesting that you mention that. The SEALS Lieutenant at our class took me aside and asked me if I were interested in becoming a SEAL. I told him I would think about it. I decided not to because of many factors. One I was just on my boat for a few months when I went to the training. The other believe it or not was my lack of confidence. That changed later.
I became a surface rescue swimmer right after boot when I showed up to my command and I’m a E-3 so I don’t think there is any problem there. I’m sure it’s needs of your ship and how physically fit you are to send you over someone else.
How’s things going Darien? Did I ever ask you if you knew AWCM Larry Favors? I knew Larry at NASNI when was AWAA Favors! He was one of the VERY few guys that went H-3 to H-60 Foxtrot then BACK to H-3s! ( HS-14 Atsugi ) which was the last time I saw him in 1994. AWESOME dude! Survived an H-60 crash in Fallon on real overland SAR mission to look for the site of a Beechcraft Bonanza crash. 2-fatals ( HAC and an adub ). Larry went into the Florida Highway Patrol…He was a fishing nut, so FL was good for him…I miss all my AW bruddahs! How’s little Petra? If you ever get to Philly area let me know!
Everything is well and I do remember you asking me about Larry Favors. He was my first LCPO at HS-11. I went from H-60F/H to H-3, to H-60F/H, to H-60S to H-60R and back to H-60S. I remember him going law enforcement also. Just saw a pic of him of Facebook the other day. I’ll hit you up for sure.
Hey man, these videos have been super helpful and I’ve been binge watching them all 😅 i don’t know if you’ve said this before in a previous video but I was wondering how long your typically on a helicopter for? Like how long do missions take?
Anyone know how to look into archived class photos? I went through the SRS training at ASW in Jacksonville in March / April 1998, I believe my class number was 98007 or something like that. Never got a copy of our class pic all suited up in our gear. Would love to see it.
Really appreciate all the info your videos provide, did you by chance every find anything on age limits for prior service looking at coming into the Navy wanting AWS?
You throw a lot of detail into your posts that you can’t find anywhere, and no real rush I’m pretty sure not many 38+ year olds are wanting to subject theirselves to this so pretty much only pertains to me
Just a quick question. My Vision is worse than the uncorrected standard for AIRR. Can I get a waiver and then sign a contract for AIRR after meeting the physical and mental requirements? I'm totally unfamiliar with the process within MEPS and ensuring I'm going in for the right job.
I’m not too sure about the waiver process for eyesight. Your vision has to be correctable to 20/20. You may get a contract, but possibly lose it due to medial clearance. I would ask your recruiter. Let me know if you hit any other snags
Did you like SEAR training? I only remember SEAR instructor stepped on Pigmy rattler and so hungry could not wait to eat rattlesnake first time in my life 😋😋😋😋 so hungry after 2 weeks Elgin AFB 😉
I’m going in for ABF and I ship out April 8th. How do I attend that training afterwards, do I have to be a certain rank or rate? Or is it open to everyone. Definitely interested
You can’t just walk into MEPS and get this job. It’s a part of the warrior challenge program that consists of all the navy’s special operations units. You have to get a contract based on age, PST scores and education. Have you done that?
@@PhDarien no not yet but since my recruiter knows that i wanna go in for special warfare contract he told me i haave to do those things you mention^, and i will most definitely able too and they also know that too, but i want to pick one that i know and i would love and besides seal and sarc this one i would love to do as my job in the navy.
You did Justice to the Job in Your explanation. Job Well Done!! (HSL-51 Warlord Vet)
That's wild! You were one of the instructors when I went through aircrew school in August 2011. I remember sitting in backlog for 6 months just waiting to class up. I flew on C130s for 10 years as an AWF.
@@vogelm91 life is crazy like that.
I love your channel. It’s a lot more informative than others and the Navy
I’m glad I can be of service. I try to get useful information out there and I take most of the questions I get asked and turn them into short videos.
Coasties did not have rescue swimmers when I went through "East Coast" SAR/Rescue swimmer school at HS-1, /NAS Jax "back in the day" (1981). In fact we had two coasties and a boat guy in my class of twenty candidates when they were trying to figure out their in house pipe line and one of them DOR'd as I recall. Old school "sharks and daisy's" would weed guys out real fast!. Dig your channel brother, keep bringing it!
I’m glad to see a legacy swimmer. I’m actually digging into the history of all the navy’s special operations groups and the history behind them. The coast guard swimmers will be throw on there as well since their origins are from the Navy. I worked with old school instructors who did the sharks and daisies until that kid Moreki died.
The Lion puppy look up to the sky few days ago made a swimmer swim away with sloth arms 😂
no wonder Gaza can't find the swimmer but here it is
Darren , Excellent job on your videos !! My late relative during the Vietnam Era was Navy Rate : Field Service Dental 🦷 Technician ( blue side) and secondarily Field Medical 🏥 Technician ( (for the Marines/green sode ) between 1969-1975. He only won NDSM over his 6 year career. He was Navy Individual Mobilization Augmented Immediately after boot camp. However my relative during boot camp was pulled into Irregular Warfare ( PsyOps) , FLE, COIN, and Special Operations Communities . However, his Navy Rate administratively never ever changed his entire career. His first duty location after boot camp in Navy Training Command San Diego CA and Navy Medical Center San Diego CA was NAS Meridian MS . If my late relative would have been able to see your videos he would have been impressed to see your dedication to your craft. Enjoy retirement!
I became a U S Navy Rescue Swimmer in June of yes, a long time ago and I'm sure things have changed. I was on deck force as an undesignated. We trained at the pool in Yokosuka, Japan. At that time the Navy SEALS put on the training. We had 49 who started and 11 of us finished the month-long training with an additional week of class training. The requirement was 2 rescue swimmers on each ship. I actually did the demonstration for all of the ships Captains and our Admiral on my ship, the USS Oklahoma City, CG-5 by rescuing a person out in Yokosuka Bay.
I was covered by tiny jellyfish since they had a huge outbreak for some reason and was covered with them after I was hoisted back on my ship.
Frankly I think everyone should go through aviation training as well since each ship normally has a Helo on it. Not all but most. I enjoyed your explanation of the differences between the two. Great video and well done!
Hey Darien, I was going through TH-cam and always like to see content on Navy Aircrew. I'm a retired ATC (AWS)(NAC) with time in both fixed wing and rotary communities. Started out in HAL-3 in Vietnam. My son is a retired AW1 who retired a few years ago. He was an AIRR in the East Coast Lamps community. His last Squadron was HSM-48 Vipers. He was an instructor at ACCS and AW "A" and was involved early on in the development team for the transition to the SH-60R. He spent quite a bit of time in North Island. You may know him AW1 James MacFarlane (AWS)(NAC)(MTS) Ret. I was interested in the way you got in the Aircrew Pipeline. You got a leg up with your uncle, James got a leg up with a flying buddy of mine who was a classifier at NRD Jax.
That’s awesome! I’m not sure if I do know him, but maybe we’ve crossed paths. I love hearing about our job. Can’t find much out there and I felt it’s easier for me to do it than to wait for it. Thank you for your service as well.
Darien , I enjoyed your assessment of SAR , the only thing I would add is that most surface SAR are SEAL candidates. I know my own personal experience was SEAL PT , A school and before BUDS I was put on probation. So I was sent to the fleet. I was approached by 2 other SEAL candidates who were in the same situation. We used SAR as a means to demonstrate our ability to stay out of trouble follow orders etc. once I was leaving for BUDS I then recruited another SEAL candidates who took over my spot. I think you would be surprised how many SEALS have SAR certifications. Again enjoyed your page
Interesting that you mention that. The SEALS Lieutenant at our class took me aside and asked me if I were interested in becoming a SEAL. I told him I would think about it. I decided not to because of many factors. One I was just on my boat for a few months when I went to the training. The other believe it or not was my lack of confidence. That changed later.
True, I finished SAR school September 2023, and we had a couple of BUDS drop outs. Absolute animals.
I became a surface rescue swimmer right after boot when I showed up to my command and I’m a E-3 so I don’t think there is any problem there. I’m sure it’s needs of your ship and how physically fit you are to send you over someone else.
How’s things going Darien? Did I ever ask you if you knew AWCM Larry Favors? I knew Larry at NASNI when was AWAA Favors! He was one of the VERY few guys that went H-3 to H-60 Foxtrot then BACK to H-3s! ( HS-14 Atsugi ) which was the last time I saw him in 1994. AWESOME dude! Survived an H-60 crash in Fallon on real overland SAR mission to look for the site of a Beechcraft Bonanza crash. 2-fatals ( HAC and an adub ). Larry went into the Florida Highway Patrol…He was a fishing nut, so FL was good for him…I miss all my AW bruddahs! How’s little Petra? If you ever get to Philly area let me know!
Everything is well and I do remember you asking me about Larry Favors. He was my first LCPO at HS-11. I went from H-60F/H to H-3, to H-60F/H, to H-60S to H-60R and back to H-60S. I remember him going law enforcement also. Just saw a pic of him of Facebook the other day. I’ll hit you up for sure.
Hey man, these videos have been super helpful and I’ve been binge watching them all 😅 i don’t know if you’ve said this before in a previous video but I was wondering how long your typically on a helicopter for? Like how long do missions take?
Thank you. I’ll talk about that in a later video, but you can average a 2.5-3 hour flight.
And, the dreaded “double pumps”!
Those were ridiculous.
Anyone know how to look into archived class photos? I went through the SRS training at ASW in Jacksonville in March / April 1998, I believe my class number was 98007 or something like that. Never got a copy of our class pic all suited up in our gear. Would love to see it.
Really appreciate all the info your videos provide, did you by chance every find anything on age limits for prior service looking at coming into the Navy wanting AWS?
I’ll get that answer soon. I’m glad you enjoy them.
You throw a lot of detail into your posts that you can’t find anywhere, and no real rush I’m pretty sure not many 38+ year olds are wanting to subject theirselves to this so pretty much only pertains to me
I was SAR before the u separated them..
Just a quick question. My Vision is worse than the uncorrected standard for AIRR. Can I get a waiver and then sign a contract for AIRR after meeting the physical and mental requirements? I'm totally unfamiliar with the process within MEPS and ensuring I'm going in for the right job.
I’m not too sure about the waiver process for eyesight. Your vision has to be correctable to 20/20. You may get a contract, but possibly lose it due to medial clearance. I would ask your recruiter. Let me know if you hit any other snags
Did you like SEAR training? I only remember SEAR instructor stepped on Pigmy rattler and so hungry could not wait to eat rattlesnake first time in my life 😋😋😋😋 so hungry after 2 weeks Elgin AFB 😉
I liked my sere training until I got capture shock!
what crap did they feed you when interrogated ?
I’m going in for ABF and I ship out April 8th. How do I attend that training afterwards, do I have to be a certain rank or rate? Or is it open to everyone. Definitely interested
You have to do your initial contract for 18-24 months and then attempt to cross rate. Fly with the helos that’ll be on your ship.
so when i go to meps and they ask what rate i want. do i say AIRR so i can get the job you have or is it called AWS or AWR?
You can’t just walk into MEPS and get this job. It’s a part of the warrior challenge program that consists of all the navy’s special operations units. You have to get a contract based on age, PST scores and education. Have you done that?
@@PhDarien no not yet but since my recruiter knows that i wanna go in for special warfare contract he told me i haave to do those things you mention^, and i will most definitely able too and they also know that too, but i want to pick one that i know and i would love and besides seal and sarc this one i would love to do as my job in the navy.