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Comment by Marianne on August 12, 2016 at 7:11am

Two weeks ago I went down to Jacksonville to watch my son graduate into an official rescue swimmer ( really nice ceremony, recommend going if you can!). I have been able to keep him these past 2 weeks but need to say good bye tomorrow. I don't know how. He is getting ready to deploy with his squadron in December for 9 months so when I hug him it will be the last time I get to hug him for about a year. This is so hard.

Comment by lelolaipr on July 19, 2016 at 10:30pm

@Ma11, congrats to you and to your son!

Comment by Jodi-alumni Ship 4 on July 19, 2016 at 8:00am

Congrats Ma11 to your son!

Comment by mtnestr on July 12, 2016 at 7:19pm

My son also flew directly to P'cola from PIR.  He has been in the Navy for 1 1/2 years and has only flown home for 1 long holiday weekend last fall.  He is not expected to have a leave granted until the end of the pipeline in December, which will be his 2 year mark.  He is Romeo also in SD.

Comment by Melissa on July 8, 2016 at 2:18pm

Unless things have changed, the only group that stays in Great Lakes after Boot Camp is the BUDS group (pre-SEAL/SWCC training) otherwise, they fly out immediately to where ever their A School is. 

I wouldn't get your hopes up about leave between RSS and A School - they could have a day or two, or many months, it just really depends on the needs of the Navy at the time your son finishes RSS.  My son went directly from one to the other and then immediately to CA for SERE, then directly to training with his Squadron, with no leave in between.  It is different for others, again depending on the needs of the Navy, but don't count on leave happening - just be glad when it does!

Comment by Ma11 on July 7, 2016 at 7:11pm

I won't be able to go for his RSS graduation but hope he gets leave between that and his A school

Comment by lelolaipr on July 7, 2016 at 6:58pm

Hi ladies, hope all of you are well!!  

@Melissa, many thanks for the information.  It is very helpful.  My son is waiting to class up to start A School in the Romeo platform.

@bats27, in my case my son graduated from BC in November 2015 but due to medical issues he had to stay in Great Lakes until January 2016.  I had the opportunity to be with him during the whole weekend.  Now is in Pensacola and just graduated from RSS in June.  

@Ma11, I'm so happy for your son.  In two weeks he will be graduating as a rescue swimmer.  Yay!!!! Are you planning to go to the graduation ceremony?  Is not as graduating from BC, it is a very short ceremony, but I enjoyed the weekend in Pensacola.

Comment by Ma11 on July 7, 2016 at 2:53pm

Bats27 my son left the day after PIR headed straight to Pensacola has been there since March 28 he is in week 3 of RSS right now lots and lots of waiting to class up

Comment by bats27 on July 7, 2016 at 11:44am

Hi, New here my son leaves for bc in week, contract for AIRRS. Could someone explain if they do fly out to Pensacola after PIR or do they stay for training in Great Lakes first, that's what he was told yesterday. Read the Path to Rescue swimmer here but it could be outdated. Any and All help appreciated, Thanks

Comment by Melissa on July 6, 2016 at 12:53am

I put my guy on a plane this afternoon and just got word that he is back "on deck" - so vacation is officially over.  It was great fun having him (and EVERYONE else) home, but sure glad I don't have to feed the whole crew often!

So here is the scoop I got from him regarding Romeos v Sierras.

Romeo - HSM Squadron, which stands for Maritime Strike.  They are sea-going only and do extra schooling for more in depth radar and oceanography coursework.  Their Helo is equipment heavy and stationary, meaning that there are up to 4 sonar stations in the helo that don't move and room for only one litter.  They are gunner equipped, but with less and smaller ammo than the Sierras.

Sierras - HSC Squadron, which stands for Sea Combat,  They do sea, desert, & mountain rescue.  Their Helo is adaptable for more cargo or personnel, when I saw it at graduation, only the pilot seats were inside, the rest was empty (my guy said they had the crew and 12 guys they were moving in his helo once - close quarters, but they fit), they also fit up to three litters.  They have heavier guns and ammo.

On deployed ships there are both Romeo & Sierra helos and they work in "sister squadrons".  He said basically, the Romeos are close in to the carrier (he called it MOM) and the Sierras are out farther; the Romeos monitor the sonar and surrounding area, and call out to the Sierras regarding  hot spots - he said think of it as the Romeo is the dog, and the Sierra is the teeth and claws, one doesn't work without the other.

So basically the same job, different certifications working together to keep the carrier and all on board safe. 

Bravo Zulu Swimmers!

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