Sink or Swim

AST2 Anderson Womble joins the show for a second time. We talk shop, tell stories, and share insight.

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e

AST1 Daniel Wilson is amongst a small group of USCG Rescue Swimmers from outside the United States. Dan is originally from Great Britain and discusses his experience moving to the US and joining the Coast Guard. He goes on to talk about his experiences traveling and how the brotherhood and family aspect of the swimmer rate and USCG as a whole helps you adapt the the community of your new unit. Dan tells some great stories of SAR cases where he's had to improvise and the lessons around that. Then follows up with an enticing story of a case he had in Kodiak of a downed aircraft that involved duel swimmers and multiple rescue agencies. Finally he leaves us with life advice useful for everyone, in the military or not.

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e

I was pleased to be joined by my current shop Chief Mario Estevane. We discuss how Mario first started out in the Air Force before switching over to the Coast Guard. Then we get into his prior units and lessons learned through his 20 year career. We finish with talk about the Gi-Cert jui-jitsu program he helped start and some interesting SAR stories. Enjoy the episode.

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e

In this episode, host Evan Grills sits down with AST2 Jake Pritchett. At the time of the recording, Jake was stationed in Kodiak, AK and had not yet gone to Officer Candidate School. Since then Jake has completed OCS and is now in Flight School. Jake gives his story of how he got started in the Coast Guard being from the land-locked state of Missouri. He continues with his experience getting through Rescue Swimmer School and his perception of the job since being qualified. Jake tells a great story of a SAR case he had up in Kodiak saving three young kids and lessons learned from that case and others like it. 

I apologize for the constant tapping noise, Jake didn't realize he was constantly tapping the table. 

Enjoy the episode.

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e

Host Evan Grills is joined by AST2 Chris Lynch. We discuss Chris' journey through the Coast Guard, becoming a Rescue Swimmer, and what he's learned through his two operational tours as a swimmer. Chris tells a riveting story of a Search and Rescue case he had in Kodiak, and how that affected his outlook on the job and life moving forward. He continues to give advice on how surfing and meditation has helped him handle stress and separate from the intensity of the job. Finally Chris shares his advice for everyone to learn how to fuel yourself; whether that be your mind, body, spirit, or internal motivations.

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e

In this episode, Evan sits down with ASTC Brad Pigage. Chief Pigage is a leading Chief at the Rescue Swimmer Standardization Team. We discuss his journey getting to this position, some experiences and lessons he's learned along the way, and how the Rescue Swimmer rate continues to evolve. Enjoy the episode. 

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e

Host Evan Grills sits down with long time friend and colleague Anderson Womble. We discuss his route getting started in the Coast Guard and becoming a Rescue Swimmer, his first duty station in Kodiak, Alaska, and much more. Enjoy the show.  

“The views expressed herein are those of the author/blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the view of the Commandant or of the U.S. Coast Guard.” – Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, 6-2.e