Navy Rescue Swimmer: Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide provides useful information to those who wish to become a Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer during Fiscal Year 2025.

Just a warning. This is not your typical officer job. This U.S. Navy Enlisted job will take you on an exciting adventure—all while saving lives.

If you are interested, let us get right to it.

ENLISTMENT BONUS: Future Navy Rescue Swimmers are currently eligible to receive up to $30K in cash bonus just for signing up.

What is a Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer?

navy-rescue-swimmer-insignia
Aviation Rescue Swimmer Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are enlisted Sailors who are highly skilled at responding to calls when lives are at stake. These courageous individuals epitomize the spirit of the United States Navy, willingly putting themselves in danger of carrying out surface rescue operations in some of the most challenging settings imaginable.

The U.S. Navy Warrior Challenge Program is for those who take on the hardest missions and toughest targets. Navy AIRRs (Aviation Rescue Swimmers) are part of that group.

They go where others can’t, saving lives and tackling high-risk operations.

What Does a Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Do?

When lives are at risk, Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) don’t hesitate. They answer the call, no matter the danger.

These men and women are the Navy’s frontline rescuers, diving into the most extreme conditions to save others. Part of the world’s most elite helicopter emergency response team, they pull people from raging seas, disaster zones, and combat situations.

Their motto says it all: “So others may live.” Every jump, every mission, every rescue—it’s all for them.

As an Aviation Rescue Swimmer, you’ll be part of a tight-knit team, leading the way in emergency response.

This job isn’t just about skill—it’s about putting others before yourself. The training is brutal, but when it’s life or death, there’s no room for mistakes.

You might find yourself:

  • Rescuing people from the surface of the ocean
  • Recovering personnel or equipment
  • Providing humanitarian aid in disaster zones
  • Supporting military operations

It all comes down to one thing—survival.

You can’t hesitate. You’ll jump from helicopters, rappel down into chaos, and swim through rough waters to save lives. Whether it’s Search and Rescue (SAR) missions or tactical recovery, when people are in trouble, you are the one who gets them out.

Responsibilities of Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers

1—U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer Enlisted Sailor Image 704X396

Aviation Rescue Swimmers jump into the worst conditions to save lives, provide aid, and support operations. One day, you could be evacuating families from a storm halfway across the world. The next, pulling survivors from a capsized ship or rescuing a stranded climber from a cliff.

Your duties might include:

  • Working with pilots as an aircrewman aboard helicopters
  • Rescuing downed pilots, stranded boaters, or hikers in danger
  • Assisting in disaster relief with teams like the Coast Guard
  • Delivering aid and supplies to disaster zones
  • Supporting Naval Special Warfare missions
  • Conducting surveillance for anti-submarine warfare and drug interdiction
  • Operating radar, infrared sensors, missile systems, and door guns in combat operations
  • Transporting troops and cargo between ships

You’ll specialize as either a Naval Aircrewman Helicopter (AWS) or Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR)—both roles demanding, both critical. When disaster strikes, you’re the one who answers the call.

Specific Roles

Naval Aircrewman Helicopter (AWS)

AWSs handle advanced aircraft systems to support a variety of missions, including:

  • Surface Warfare – Engaging and tracking surface threats
  • Search and Rescue (SAR) – Rescuing civilians and military personnel in distress
  • Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) – Recovering downed pilots and special forces in hostile zones
  • Naval Special Warfare (NSW) – Supporting SEAL and Special Operations missions
  • Airborne Mine Countermeasure – Detecting and neutralizing naval mines
  • Logistics – Transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies

Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR)

AWRs operate specialized aircraft systems for high-stakes missions, including:

  • Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) – Detecting and tracking enemy submarines
  • Reconnaissance & Intelligence – Gathering critical battlefield information
  • Anti-Surface Ship Warfare – Identifying and engaging enemy vessels
  • Search and Rescue (SAR) – Recovering personnel in distress
  • Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) – Conducting extractions under hostile conditions
  • Naval Special Warfare Fire Support – Providing aerial support for SEAL teams

Both roles demand focus, skill, and the ability to perform in high-risk environments. Whether tracking enemy subs or pulling survivors from danger, AWSs and AWRs are always mission-ready.

Duty Assignments

Aviation Rescue Swimmers can be assigned to:

  • Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons (HSC)
  • Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadrons (HS)
  • Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL)
  • Helicopter Mine Squadrons (HM)

They serve at sea or on shore anywhere in the world.

Work Environment

Rescue Swimmers operate in high-intensity locations, including:

  • Hangars and shipboard hangars
  • Flight decks and flight lines
  • Administrative and operations offices

Most work happens on flight lines at air stations—loud, fast-paced, and demanding.

Physical Demands

The Aircrew program (especially rescue swimmer training) is physically intense.

Strong swimming skills aren’t optional.

Your success depends on how well you train before you even show up.

Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Training

AIRR candidates train for nearly two years before joining their first squadron. The training covers advanced swimming and lifesaving techniques, helicopter mission equipment, and crew-served weapons.

Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training School

Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training School (AEATS) trains enlisted aircrew and rescue swimmer candidates for high-risk missions. The training is tough—both physically and mentally.

With these skills, Navy and Marine Corps aviation personnel will move on to fleet squadrons, ready to serve as naval aircrewmen in real-world operations.

📍 Location: Pensacola, FL
Duration: 6 weeks

What You’ll Learn:

  • Aircrew duties and responsibilities
  • Naval aviation history and aircraft types
  • Search and rescue fundamentals
  • Survival swimming techniques (breaststroke, treading water, floating, endurance swims)
  • First aid

Training Methods:

  • Classroom instruction
  • Physical fitness training
  • Hands-on lab sessions

During AETS, candidates are assigned to a class “A” school based on test scores, personal preference, Navy needs, and continued eligibility for the aircrew program.

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the First 6 Years

Monthly pay for Navy enlisted Sailors (E-1 to E-6) in the first six years is laid out in the January  2025 Active Duty Pay chart:

RankLess than 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 6 Years
E-1$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10
E-2$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80
E-3$2,484.60$2,640.60$2,800.80$2,800.80$2,800.80
E-4$2,752.20$2,892.90$3,049.80$3,204.30$3,341.40
E-5$3,001.50$3,203.70$3,358.80$3,517.20$3,763.80
E-6$3,276.60$3,606.00$3,765.00$3,919.80$4,080.60

Extra Pays and Allowances

Housing Allowance (BAH):

For members living off-base. Covers rent, based on rank, location, and if they have dependents.

Subsistence Allowance (BAS):

Enlisted get $465.77 monthly for food.

Hazard Duty Pay:

For dangerous jobs. Pays $150-$250 per month, depending on the job.

Sea Pay:

For those assigned to ships or deployed units. Depends on rank and time at sea, from $50 to $750 a month.

Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP):

Extra cash because the job is physically demanding and dangerous. Amount depends on duty station and experience.

Flight Pay (Aviation Career Incentive Pay – ACIP):

Only for aircrew. If you’re flying regularly, you earn more than those in non-flying roles.

Reenlistment Bonuses:

AIRRs in high-demand roles may get Selective Reenlistment Bonuses (SRB). How much? Depends on skill level and years of service.

Source: Figures are from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Benefits

Healthcare: Active-duty personnel are eligible for free complete medical and dental treatment. Tricare programs are inexpensive for families to use.

Housing Accomodation: Depending on location, rank, and family size, free on-base accommodation or a tax-free housing allowance (BAH) for off-base living are available.

Food: Monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food costs is known as the “food allowance.”

Blended Retirement System (BRS): Conventional pensions are no longer available to active-duty personnel. Rather:

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Up to 5% in government matching and automatic contributions.

Retirement Pay: After 20 years of service, you’re eligible for monthly payments according on the BRS formula, which combines TSP savings with a calculated pension.

Education:

  • Availability of tuition assistance programs that pay for all or part of college tuition.
  • Support for higher education under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
  • Navy College Program to support education while on service.

Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage up to $500,000.

Vacation: ten or more federal holidays plus thirty days of paid vacation each year.

Extra Benefits:

  • Exchanges and commissaries provide tax-free purchasing.
  • Discounted travel via military resorts, access to fitness centers, and leisure amenities.

Also Read: How to Become a U.S. Navy Diver (Deep Sea)

Educational Opportunities

Naval Special Warfare gives you a shot to learn a lot. Military tactics, weapons, survival—stuff you need to know to get the job done.

But it’s not just about the fight. Some of that training counts toward college credit through the American Council on Education.

Want to keep going? Programs like Navy College, Tuition Assistance, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill help you work toward a degree while you serve.

How to Become a Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer

No college degree needed, but nothing about being an AIRR is easy. Training is constant. You need to be in top shape and a strong swimmer.

Requirements for Rescue Swimmer Training

  • Vision: Uncorrected no worse than 20/100, correctable to 20/20. Normal depth and color perception required.
  • ASVAB Score:
    • VE + AR + MK + MC = 210; or
    • VE + AR + MK + AS = 210
  • Pass a Physical Screening Test (PST) in DEP/Boot Camp.
  • Pass a Class 1 Flight Physical.
  • Must be 30 years old or younger.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible for a security clearance.

Before starting any fitness program, check with a doctor. If you or your family have a history of medical issues, make sure you’re good to go before pushing yourself too hard.

General qualifications depend on whether you’re new to the Navy, prior service, or currently serving.

2—U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer Enlisted Sailor Image 704X396

Physical Screening Test Requirements

To qualify for the Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) program, you must meet these minimum PST standards:

  • 500-yard swim: 12 minutes or less (sidestroke or breaststroke)
  • Push-ups: 42+ in 2 minutes
  • Sit-ups: 50+ in 2 minutes
  • Pull-ups: 4+ (no time limit)
  • 1.5-mile run: 12 minutes or less

How the Test Works

These are minimum standards. Higher scores improve your chances due to the competitive selection process.

Events are completed in order with set rest periods in between.

Rescue Swimmer Career Path

AIRR Training Pipeline: What It Takes

After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, here’s what comes next:

1. Aviation Rescue Swimmer School Prep Course (2 Weeks) – Pensacola, FL

  • Prepares candidates with physical conditioning and water confidence training.

2. Aircrew Candidate School (4 Weeks) – Pensacola, FL

  • Learn Naval Aviation fundamentals, intermediate water survival, aviation physiology, and advanced water survival.

3. Rescue Swimmer School (6 Weeks) – Pensacola, FL

  • Intense search and rescue (SAR) training. Pass or fail.

4. Class “A” Technical School (8-14 Weeks) – Pensacola, FL

  • Train in one of the Aircrew Ratings:
    • AWF – Aircrewman Mechanical
    • AWO – Aircrewman Operator
    • AWS – Aircrewman Helicopter
    • AWR – Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter
    • AWV – Aircrewman Avionics

5. SERE School (2 Weeks) – North Island, CA, or Portsmouth, NH

  • Learn Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) techniques.

6. Fleet Replacement Squadron (28-52 Weeks) – Various Locations

  • Aircraft weapons systems and flight training based on aircrew rating.
  • Locations include Jacksonville, FL; Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Oklahoma City, OK; Ft Worth, TX.

First Assignment: Where You Could Be Sent

After training, you could be assigned to a helicopter command at sea or on shore in places like:

  • San Diego, CA
  • Norfolk, VA
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Whidbey Island, WA
  • Fallon, NV
  • Key West, FL
  • Japan, Guam, Spain

Advanced Training Opportunities

If you perform well, you may qualify for additional training, including:

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification
  • Helicopter Inland Rappel School (mountain & cliff rescues)
  • Advanced Search and Rescue School

Senior enlisted AIRRs can move into leadership roles, such as:

  • Schoolhouse instructors
  • Weapons instructors
  • Master rappelers/instructors

Rank & Advancement

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Aircrewman RecruitARSeaman Recruit
E-2Aircrewman ApprenticeAASeaman Apprentice
E-3AircrewmanANSeaman
E-4Naval Aircrewman Helicopter Third ClassAWS3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Naval Aircrewman Helicopter Second ClassAWS2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Naval Aircrewman Helicopter First ClassAWS1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief Naval Aircrewman HelicopterAWSCChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman HelicopterAWSCSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief Naval Aircrewman HelicopterAWSCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

The path isn’t easy, but for those who make it, being an AIRR is more than a job—it’s a way of life.

Post-Service Opportunities

The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) and Naval Special Operations (NSO) communities are built on leadership, discipline, and adaptability.

Employers—both military and civilian—know that those who succeed here can handle anything.

Completing some of the toughest training in the country proves you can stay calm under pressure, think fast, and get the job done—skills that employers value in any field.

Career Opportunities After NSW/NSO

Your experience can lead to careers in:

  • High-level security assessment
  • Emergency medicine
  • Chemical-Biological-Radiological (CBR) protection and response

The opportunities are wide-ranging and highly rewarding—both during and after your time in service.

More Information

If you wish to learn more about becoming a Navy Rescue Swimmer, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.

You may also be interested in the following high-speed, low-drag Navy Enlisted jobs:

Ted Kingston
I’m a Navy veteran who used to serve as a Navy recruiter. This website is the most reliable source of information for all Enlisted Navy Sailor aspirants. In coordination with a network of current and former Navy recruiters, my goal is to make reliable information easily available to you so you can make informed career decisions.

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