PENSACOLA, Fla. – Airman Bairn Swearingen, a 2020 Norfolk Christian High School graduate, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where the next generation of Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute life-or-death rescues in the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Swearingen joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Swearingen serves as a student rescue swimmer.
“I wanted to be around people who have a similar work ethic,” Swearingen said. “I want to serve with those who don’t complain, but just do the job that’s required.”
Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, ARSS provides initial aviation water survival training and CPR qualification to all preflight student naval aviators and student naval flight officers, student flight surgeons, naval aircrew candidates, student aviators from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and international student aviators.
As part of the world’s most elite Special Operations force, AIRRs are a team dedicated to being the top emergency response unit in the world. Leaping from helicopters, swimming through raging seas and saving victims whose lives are on the line, AIRRs complete search and rescue missions in some of the most extreme environments imaginable. The motto of an AIRR is, “so others may live.” It is a testament to not only the selflessness of this job but the honor, courage, and commitment it takes to do it well.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Swearingen serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Swearingen has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“So far, the thing I’m most proud of is graduating from boot camp,” Swearingen said. “My brother and father both served in the Navy, so joining them in this military journey means a lot. My father retired in 2020, and my brother is still active duty serving at Coronado in San Diego.”
Swearingen can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is more than a normal job,” Swearingen said. “We don’t just clock in, clock out and then leave. We serve a calling higher than ourselves.”
Swearingen is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents for the values they taught me growing up,” Swearingen added. “The way they raised me made a big difference in the way that I’ve been able to meet the challenges we face in the military. I also want to thank my older brother. I’ve always looked up to him, especially his service in the Navy.”
By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach