Moms of Aviation Rescue Swimmers

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!!

Proudmama.. We haven't graduated yet, but it should be soon.

Thanks for your interest

Hi, all. My son is in Atsugi w the HSC-12 Golden Falcons. Anyone else from there?

Saltyocean- ahhh... it is so hard for me to keep in my mind where everbody is in the pipeline! My son is about half way done with his Romeo training...can hardly believe it. Looking forward to hearing about your son's graduation.

Birdejr and LynJ- would love to hear their perspective of the AIRR rate now that they are "done" with training... :)

My son seems to love his job. He is still tight w his Rescue Swimmer school group (even has a tat). I know that his graduation in Pensacola was precious to me. You'll love it. It is so much more personal than boot camp.

Birdiejr- Glad to hear how much he continues to love his rate and his teammates. So proud of your young men and women who attempt this challenging rate...

Hey Ho Everyone!  Long time, no chat.  =)  Hope everyone is doing well. 

Last Thursday my son received his wings - it was (in his words) a very quick thing because they left for DEP on Friday and they had a briefing to get to.  He did manage to squeeze in a picture of his new name plate and his certificate for his Momma, but only because I begged!

He took off on Friday for training in Arizona - when I asked him how it was going, his reply was "It's hot" - so all is well in his world.

Someone asked down thread how it was going now that they have graduated and are in their Squadrons - and I have to say for my son, it is going really well.  He loves the guys he is with, he loves his job, he loves to fly, he loves when they take them two miles off shore and they get to train in the water for three hours.  Basically, he loves everything about what he is doing, and is giving serious thought to this being his career, and not just an enlistment. 

Of course, that is dependent upon how the next three years of his enlistment go - but if the next three go as the first three have, I think he's set. 

It's a hard discipline and the time in classroom is stressful and wearing, but so worth the time and effort that these young men and women put in. 

Thanks to Melissa and April for your encouraging words.  My son is currently in RSS.  It is challenging, but he is enjoying it so far.

Welcome Marianne. There is a link above, Path of a Rescue Swimmer,  that may answer any questions you have. If not, feel free to ask any questions and someone on here should be able to answer them for you.

Hey Marianne - welcome to the group!  Good Luck to your son as he continues on his journey down the pipeline. 

Okay - on a totally non-Navy related note, I have to brag on my son in law.  He is in the Air Force and was just selected for Officer Training  AND he and my daughter are expecting a baby!!!!!  I am so excited for them - and Merry Christmas to me, as they are due at the end of December.  Yeah!!

Melissa- Congrats!  How exciting! Is this grandbaby number 1?  Merry Christmas in advance!  I'm excited for your daughter and her family... AND your son! To have both your son in law AND son doing well in their perspective "jobs" within the military is an accomplishment!

Welcome Marianne!

Question for all who are familiar with the last stages of Romeo-FRS training... my son has 2 1/2 months left  before he finishes FRS with only 3 flights and he is "done". Do you think he will graduate "on time?" How do I manage the timing of flying out to SD to see him graduate when graduation date seems to be more of a suggestion than a firm date? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Melissa, congrats. How wonderful for your daughter & SIL. And of course the arrival of a new grandbaby is spectacular all by itself!

Sorry I can't help you out on the timeframe, proudmama. If I remember right, my son graduated FRS in Jacksonville and was the date was close to what he had said it would be but I don't know for sure (old age I think, my memory is like a sieve haha). Will your son be staying in SD after graduation?

Jodi- haha... my memory fails me when I simply walk into another room! lol. He really doesn't know yet. He is several months away from graduating and it looks like people are sent everywhere... with no particular group typically heading to one location.

Ridgegirl- I'm sure our sons know each  other! look for my PM.

R

Thanks ladies. 

Proudmama - no, this the first child for my daughter and son in law, but actually my 5th grandchild.  My two oldest sons have 4 sons between them.  Perhaps we'll expand our horizons and have a girl this time.  =)

I don't remember on the time frame for graduation either - though it seems that I bought a ticket about 10 days before I flew out because we didn't have a set graduation date until then. 

Marianne- LOL... I surely understand as I have 6 kids and that seems to be the rule of thumb in my home!! Maybe this will be the one time when you HOPE for a hold? I know of one gal whose son is completely finished, but is waiting to graduate because there are several in his squadron who have a few requirements to complete before graduating...so who knows? Congrats to your son for making it this far in the pipeline!!

Melissa!- Oh wow! 5 grandkids! How wonderful! Sounds like you almost have enough for a baseball team or a squadron? (tee hee)!! I will keep my fingers crossed for a grand daughter for you!!

Hi MaryMama- How far is your son in the pipeline? It is a challenging rate and it does take a couple of years to get through the entire program. There are parts of the program that are very physically demanding...and some that are more mentally demanding... and then there is the ability to remain focus and withstand those hold times. This rate is not for everybody. Some just never quite feel at home in the water,but move on to other rates that are aircrewmen but are "dry" rates. In other words, they remain on the aircraft and they don't complete the "rescue" portion of this rate.  I believe those are called AWO's. Hang in there mama! Let us know if we can help you with anything specific.

Welcome, MaryMama!  My sailor is currently in RSS.

Welcome, welcome to the newbies!

MaryMama - tell your son to hang tough.  The key is to take it one day at a time, and sometimes, if necessary, one hour at a time.  Just keep telling him to tell himself, I can do this for one more day, and the prize at the end of the journey is so worth it.  And please, let him know that we are all in his corner and cheering him on.  =)

As to how hard it is to get through the program, I think that it is different for every one.  My son didn't have a hard time with the physical stuff, he said the mental aspects were the hard part.  But, I've heard others say the opposite.  I think really, it is just about him finding his balance and his inner strength and being willing to push past the pain and exhaustion and just knowing that all the work is worth it. 

MaryMama, I agree with Melissa. Your son can make it through if he really wants to, that is the key. He has to really want to be a rescue swimmer.

I think my son must be a lot like Melissa's. He didn't seem to have a real hard time with the physical part, although he was tired and sore a lot, but the mental would get to him sometimes. I would just tell him I believed he had what it took to get through it and I was cheering him on. That will be your new role for the next few weeks - Cheerleader Mom!!!

We are all here to support both your son and you. This group of women are here to help you in any way we can. Feel free to lean on us when you need to.

MaryMama- Great news!

MaryMama - I would add to tell your son to not take anything the instructors yell at him, personally. Remind him it's the instructor's job to see if they can break him down, and to make him mentally tough for any situation. I told my son I thought some of the scream fests he and his Dad had during his teen years prepared him well for what he had to endure in RSS :) My son just completed all his training after a year and a half (only one brief hold when he first went to Pensacola) and is now stationed in San Diego and very happy. Tell your son to hang in there and that the day he graduates RSS will be one of the happiest days of his life.

Any chance any of you who just had guys move to San Diego are in HSC 8?  Curious as my son just told me they got several new guys over the past few weeks. 

Congrats Marianne for getting to see your sailor! That is always a super special time. Enjoy your surprise :)

Congrats to everybody! Classing up, making it through, being mentally tough!  Happy for all those who get to spend time with their sons!

Heading to RSS graduation this week!  We'll have to be on the road before he is actually finished so I hope we're going to see him graduate!  

Proud mama,

   Now graduated . Drove across country in all the rain/flooding in Texas without any accidents,with wife, puppy and towing a car!  Got to the housing; pipes broke when hooking up washer, refg not cleaned and were told that the unit below could never be rented!  Welcome to Mayport!!!  His chief went to housing office and got them out of there.  Now in a place they love, still putting things away.  What a chief, don't you agree.  Seems to like it so far.

Oh, a San Diego buddy helped him with the second move.  These guys do seem to be make good friends.  Hope your son has friends too.  Good luck to him,

Happy 4th of July to everyone! 

Guess whose Navy guy showed up for a quick/unplanned visit?!!  Best surprise ever.  =)

SaltyOcean- So glad that the chief was responsive to your son's needs. What could have been a nightmare sounds like it is just one of those memories to pass on to your kids when your older... "I remember when I....etc." So glad that they are loving their new place! Congrats on finishing the pipeline..Phew!  I'm glad he had help from his buddies.. yes. They do seem form strong bonds of friendship that I think will last a lifetime! Yes, my son has made good friends and is enjoying SD. He truly loves the lifestyle!

Melissa- Oh what a wonderful surprise!!! So happy that you were able to visit with your son:) Woot woot!

Marianne-Safe travels to your son. Although my son is not finished with this pipeline yet...I have a daughter who served six years in the army-and it just never got easier. I am happy that both of my military kids have found their own way in this tough and sometimes cruel world.

Have a good rest of the week everybody!

Returned back home after a LONG trip.  We put 2474 miles on our truck.  We returned our older sailor back to Mississippi and saw our younger son graduate RSS in P'cola with no major problems.  I do not want to get back in a vehicle for a very long time.  

Mtnestr- Congrats to your son for graduating RSS- and glad your other is back in Mississipi. What a road trip! How long did that journey take you? Glad everybody is safe and sound and where they should be!

mtnestr, that was quite a trip! I don't blame you for not wanting to ride in a vehicle for a while ;) Congrats on making it to the RSS graduation. We didn't make it down for our son's graduation but we did go to his FRS graduation which was very nice. Where will you son go now?

Jodi, He does not know yet.  When we were at graduation, July 2, they were still talking to them about the differences in the helicopters and training.  He is undecided about which he prefers....and hasn't been asked yet.  I'm not sure how often their requests are able to be honored.  He is expecting a month or so or hold at least.  

Bummer, on the hold but hopefully he can find enough things to do to keep busy. I think my son learned to surf down in FLA (not to many opportunities here LOL).

Hold seems like part of life so far for both of our boys in the Navy. He did mention that he'll get to act as a victim/survivor during practice and tests for other classes coming through.  

Sorry proudmama, I didn't see your question until now.  The drive is about 20 hours, which we split into two days.  So really, we spent a total of 4 days traveling and only 3 days visiting!   We didn't fly because we took an extra vehicle down for our son.

Marianne, I am NOT looking forward to my son going to SERE. Please tell us when he goes so we can keep him in our thoughts and prayers!  My son, however, is very excited about it and can't wait for the opportunity!  Crazy kids!!! ;)

Marianne, he will get through it and once it's over he will be so proud of himself for making it through it. I know it's nerve wracking for you but you'll do fine too :)

Marianne, Your son is like mine.  Mine says, "They say you come out a changed man. I can't wait!"  Gads!

For those interested in what goes on in SERE (opsec approved) it can be found in the book The Red Circle by Brandon Webb. Great book about a young man was an air rescue swimmer first who then became a Navy Seal. His name can be seen in the Rescue Swimmer building for Honorman. A good read.

mtnestr- What parent dedication! you rescue swimmer is mighty blessed to have you and your family in his life!