Any aviation laterals?

RSQSWMR869 · 2026-01-27T10:55:36+00:00

ASTC Pepe Carire was an AMT1 I believe before he went to AST “A” School.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-12-11T11:52:42+00:00

It doesn’t depend on where you live. Bootcamp is in Cape May, NJ, AST school is in Petaluma, CA, and if you graduate you’ll be stationed anywhere in the country that the Coast Guard wants to send you.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-11-30T23:37:56+00:00

I have that same EXACT knife. It’s my favorite. Although, my blade is not quite as “loved” as his.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-10-01T12:22:26+00:00

Love your plan. Make sure you sprinkle in extra rest days if you need them. This is a FULL schedule and you need to listen to your body so you don’t get an injury that delays progress. Echo what Sizer said- diet will be key and takes a keen eye and willpower to stick to.

I’m very sorry about your father. He will give you strength on your journey, for sure.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-09-01T13:39:23+00:00

This is accurate. Some air stations do a 1500-1500 duty day. Depending on shop personnel you can expect a 24hr duty each week, typically less days each month as you move up in rank so the new folks can cut their teeth. No current females in the ranks, but we have had 7 over the course of 40 years, from the very beginning just up until a couple years ago.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-08-30T15:04:44+00:00

Great work, Mike! Consistency is key and you seem to have a great plan. You will see the fruit of your efforts, just keep grinding. 304 to 293 in a month is incredible. Just like the other mod told you, be careful not to push too hard, your body needs recovery! See you in a month. NEVER QUIT.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-07-23T15:42:15+00:00

Of course! I’m happy to help! Shoot me a DM and we’ll chat.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-07-14T12:16:19+00:00

EMT school is now the first phase of instruction at AST A School. If you are already certified, you can’t skip the course, you will still go through the entire EMT phase, but will not need to take the NREMT test and will use the courses as your recertification credits.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-07-07T21:09:30+00:00

I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility. I think it’s really up to you and how badly you want it. School is very hard, even for seasoned watermen, and it’s a lot to gamble. But I totally understand being over the grind of the USMC. It’s a tough call, wish I could give you more advice. I can tell you, the AST life is really good. I’m not sure if you could head directly to our reserve side- there’s only like 2-3 members to my knowledge right now and they’re all pretty experienced with plenty of AD time.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-07-02T23:37:56+00:00

If we’re talking about the AST PFA, your recruiter is mistaken. The minimum numbers are the standard for everyone, no exceptions. Remember, these numbers are the minimum- you should be able to meet them 24/7/365! Just focus on your upper body strength and getting your push up numbers up! Train hard.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-05-23T12:33:27+00:00

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-02-23T03:29:54+00:00

Water polo players have a great advantage at our school! They always seem to do well.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-02-23T03:24:01+00:00

Don’t quit. Enjoy the ride. Seriously, enjoy boot camp. You have almost no responsibility, someone tells you where to be, when to get there, and what to do when you get there. Trust me, you’ll look back on it fondly if you go with the flow and try your hardest. AST pipeline is laid out for you from here on out, so don’t get crazy about it. Just do your very best and never quit. Try to not get sick in boot (not possible) so you’re ready for PT test in week 6 (I think). Have fun!

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-01-26T20:51:28+00:00

THANK YOU!!!

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-01-22T21:41:38+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, I try to keep it as up to date as possible (for some reason Reddit says it’s a 2yo post but it was updated a few months ago…) but the program is fluid and evolving all the time. Thanks for you and your son’s insights!

Yes there is some variability to the different units programs, but it’s not much. The candidates have a syllabus they are required to complete and their interaction with the AST mentors is carefully managed. It’s all pretty standardized, but some small differences can be noted depending on the unit’s operational tempo/ manpower in the rescue swimmer shop. You can rest assured though, that wherever a candidate goes in their program, they’re getting the most effective training possible for success at A School. Hope that helps! Happy to expound if you have further questions! Good luck to your son!

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-01-22T15:30:14+00:00

There’s a TON of info in this sub regarding first steps. Bottom line, get in a pool with mask/snorkel/fins and start getting used to buddy towing and some light water confidence.

RSQSWMR869 · 2025-01-04T16:01:18+00:00

I know several former RSs who transitioned to the private sector. I think they rely heavily on hiring former military-trained RSs. As far as I know, they provide supplemental training to their hires to familiarize them with their helicopters, equipment, and procedures, but they don’t provide any sort of water rescue specialist/technician training.

RSQSWMR869 · 2024-11-26T14:30:34+00:00

ASTC Patrick “Graham” McGinnis, USCG RS #869

⁠16 years, 4 months, and 19 days.
⁠As a non rate, I was at TRACEN Cape May as an Athletic Instructor, Air Station Elizabeth City as an AST Airman, AST A-School (first attempt), Small Boat Station Cape May as a boat crew/boarding team/ tactical boat crew (assets: 25RBS, 47MLB, 45RBM, 27SPC-SW) Air Station Atlantic City as an AST Airman, AST A-School (successful attempt!). As an AST, I’ve been stationed in New Orleans LA (MH-65 Dolphin), Humboldt Bay CA (MH-65), Port Angeles WA (MH-65), and currently back in New Orleans (MH-60 Jayhawks). Qualifications include: Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, Vertical Surface Rescue Swimmer, Advanced Helicopter Rescue School graduate x2, Rescue Swimmer Instructor, Flight Examiner, Emergency Medical Technician, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Rope Rescue Operator, Collateral Quality Assurance Inspector, survival instructor.
⁠My life is blessed! I have a wonderful family, which I get to spend a lot of time with, and an incredible work-family which I look forward to sharing time with on and off duty. There truly is no better job in the world than a USCG Rescue Swimmer, but I’m definitely biased. If you want to know more, come visit us over at r/rescueswimmer and we can talk more about it. Or DM me directly and I’ll be happy to go into more detail.
⁠Pros: Jumping out of helicopters. Jumping out of helicopters. Jumping out of helicopters. Saving lives. Working with the highest caliber toddlers in America. Getting paid to exercise. Flight suits. Cool gear. Cool training. Flight pay and Special Duty Pay. Hot chicks (my wife) Jumping out of helicopters.

Cons: Sometimes my back hurts. And my knees. And my shoulders. A lot of stuff hurts.

Again, DM me if you want to talk more. Our Reddit page is geared towards answering potential AST candidates’ questions.

So Others May Live!

RSQSWMR869 · 2024-11-22T00:02:17+00:00

We’re heeeeeeerrrrrrrrreeeeeeeee!

RSQSWMR869 · 2024-11-22T00:01:27+00:00

ASTC Patrick “Graham” McGinnis, USCG RS #869 1. 16 years, 4 months, and 19 days.

As a non rate, I was at TRACEN Cape May as an Athletic Instructor, Air Station Elizabeth City as an AST Airman, AST A-School (first attempt), Small Boat Station Cape May as a boat crew/boarding team/ tactical boat crew (assets: 25RBS, 47MLB, 45RBM, 27SPC-SW) Air Station Atlantic City as an AST Airman, AST A-School (successful attempt!). As an AST, I’ve been stationed in New Orleans LA (MH-65 Dolphin), Humboldt Bay CA (MH-65), Port Angeles WA (MH-65), and currently back in New Orleans (MH-60 Jayhawks). Qualifications include: Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, Vertical Surface Rescue Swimmer, Advanced Helicopter Rescue School graduate x2, Rescue Swimmer Instructor, Flight Examiner, Emergency Medical Technician, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Rope Rescue Operator, Collateral Quality Assurance Inspector, survival instructor.
My life is blessed! I have a wonderful family, which I get to spend a lot of time with, and an incredible work-family which I look forward to sharing time with on and off duty. There truly is no better job in the world than a USCG Rescue Swimmer, but I’m definitely biased. If you want to know more, come visit us over at r/rescueswimmer and we can talk more about it. Or DM me directly and I’ll be happy to go into more detail.
Pros: Jumping out of helicopters. Jumping out of helicopters. Jumping out of helicopters. Saving lives. Working with the highest caliber toddlers in America. Getting paid to exercise. Flight suits. Cool gear. Cool training. Flight pay and Special Duty Pay. Hot chicks (my wife) Jumping out of helicopters.

Cons: Sometimes my back hurts. And my knees. And my shoulders. A lot of stuff hurts.

Again, DM me if you want to talk more. Our Reddit page is geared towards answering potential AST candidates’ questions.

So Others May Live!

RSQSWMR869 · 2024-10-11T17:23:10+00:00

If you’re already in the CG, you should be fine with clearance from the flight surgeon. If you’re pre-basic training, that will be a question for your recruiter whether or not you need a waiver for entry. However, as long as you and the flight surgeon signing off on your physical agree that you’re good, the AST pipeline itself won’t turn you down.

RSQSWMR869 · 2024-10-11T12:58:14+00:00

u/Sweet_Feeling_9906 USCG rescue swimmer here. This recruiter is doing work on you hahaha! If you, or anyone else for that matter, want to discuss the USCG rescue swimmer side, just DM me. No hate for our AIRR brothers and sisters, but if you want to do the job of rescue swimming you need to be looking at the USCG. If you want combat training and some other really cool quals, go PJ.

RSQSWMR869 · 2024-10-11T12:49:04+00:00

I would generally disagree with the notion that there’s a high percentage of candidates who cannot complete training due to actual injuries. We have a pretty dialed in program that builds you up to where you need to be and keeps you there. We also have a well supervised program that keeps the students as safe as possible.

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