There is a moment in everyone's life that you have to face one's fears.  You have a choice, however, face it or walk away.  What will you do when the time comes?

911

Yesterday the flags flew at half mass, moments of silence were observed across the nation, and people remembered...

"I got a call from my mother, she said to turn on the TV a plane just flew into one of the twin towers.  I turned on the TV, and just as I did so I watched as the second plane flew into the other one.  A black speck hitting the building and a ball of fire.  I knew then it was an attack..."

"I was on my way into the city.  Crossing over the bridge and I happened to look up just as the first plane crashed into the building...."

"I hit the snooze button and fell back to sleep.  I woke up in a rush to get to work that morning, ended up missing my train, I was having a rough morning. (pause)  If I had gotten up on time I would have been in Tower 1..."

"I couldn't see anything.  Not my hand in front of me.  Dust, debris, smoke.  Screams coming from every direction.  The smells were horrific."

"It was like the end of the world."

"Watching the people jump from the buildings..."

"They (the news) were talking with someone inside the Pentagon before the plane crashed.  All of sudden you heard this noise in the broadcast and the person being interviewed started to scream they had just been hit."

"I just kept thinking, what is happening.  I just wanted to hold my children tight."

"Afterwards, the skies were silent except for the Air Force's jets - F-15's and F-16s circling above."

"George W. Bush saved this nation during that time.  I don't believe any other president could have handled this tragedy better."

The stories are told yearly.  We who tell these stories need to remind those who did not experience this about it.  We must not forget about the horrific things that these terrorists have done on OUR GREAT NATION.  And we must NOT allow this to happen again.  If we forget, if we put our guards down...

God Bless the United States of America, its citizens, all of the men and women who defend it daily and days in the past.

Memorial Day - I am here

You may not see me.... But I am here
You may not feel me.... But I am here
You may not know my name...  But I am here

I am your forefather
I am your brother
I am your sister
Your father your mother, aunt and uncle, niece and nephew
I am...

Guardian of the night while your head rests upon a pillow
Keeper of the peace while you roast marshmallows.
A spirit that lingers across the land,
The reason a child holds a small flag in his tiny hand.

My folded flag is encased in glass with my many medals
My photo sits proudly besides it.
My uniforms hang silently in a closet
My dog tags dangle from the corner of a mirror.

But I am here.
My spirit lives on among you
Fighting side by side with my brothers and sisters in uniform
Preserving your freedom, watching over you.

I am here...
I am a Soldier, a Seaman, an Airman
I am here

Soldier's Cry

I run into the darkness, the smoke filled air; listening and looking for the light that will take me back to where peace can be found.  I stumble slightly, on the debris that lies at my feet.  The debris that tries to bring me down to it's level, tries to stop me from the goal that lies ahead of me.  I move on among the pain and suffering, I move on through the stench and retched.  I move on, weight upon my back, weapon within my hand, I move on...

The sounds become more distinct, the light shines brighter with every step of my heavy feet.  Eventually I break through the death that surrounds me.  A soldier's cry for help echos through the remains of the shambles of a room.  I run to him...  I care for him...  I remove him from his near grave...  I take him to safety...

He goes home...

I walk through the dirt and smoke filled air, looking, looking, looking for the wounded.  I risk all that I know to be good, that others may live...

Vote for the charity that supports the PJs!

Charity Challenge: each month "Military One Click" holds a Give Back Charity Challenge. " That Others May Live Foundation " is featured among the three charities. Let us show our support for this great cause and VOTE for them! Follow the link and cast your vote; it's just one small way to show how your care for those that risk their lives...

http://militaryoneclick.com/give-back-military-charities/#challenge

Happy Thanksgiving!

To All of Our Military -

I am Thankful and our Country is Thankful for your commitment and patriotism to us. Whether you are home with your loved ones or far off in another country - you are remembered, and thought of.

God Bless our Men and Women who serve the United States of America, and thank you for all you do to allow our country to continue to be FREE!

Save Combat Rescue

The Sikorsky HH-60G - Pave Hawk Helicopters were designated as Air Force Search and Rescue officially in 1991.  The initial design of these HELOs was in 1981 - replacing the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant  with the UH-60A Black Hawk.  The Jolly Green Giant was used during the Vietnam era for Combat Search and Rescue (CSR) - thus the Air Force was allocated a number of the new Black Hawks for modifications for CSR.  Doing what they do best, the Air Force made modifications to the fueling system, and upgraded the machine guns to an M60.  82 of these modified HELOs were given to CSR, Air Force Special Operations, again in 1991.

The Pave Hawks are out of date...  on 22 October 2012 the Air Force put in a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH).  The mission of the CRH will remain the same; search and recover personnel in hostile and isolated territories.  Humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, casualty and medical evacuations and non-combative medical evacuations will also be continued and considered apart of their missions.  The requirements for the CRH are as follows:

combat radius of 416 km
payload of 1,500 lbs
space for up to 4 stretchers

A request of 112 CRHs was requested, and proposals were submitted. Sikorsky is the only bidder to remain, with Lockhead Martin as a subcontractor.  This is a $6.8 billion dollar contract that has been delayed until the first quarter of 2014 FY, which begins October of 2013.  The new CSR would be known as the "CRH-60".

Government furlough, and in response to sequestration budget cuts require the Air Force's FY 2015 budget proposal to cut out the funding for this much needed new helicopter.

Okay... I hear you $6.8 BILLION DOLLARS???!!!!  Are you crazy??!!!  That's a lot of money.  I know that.  But can you really put a price on a life?  I'm sorry I meant to say 100, no 1,000's of lives that are saved during the missions that take place with the CRH.

Most civilians don't understand the impact of what Combat Search and Rescue (CSR) is and does.  In a nut shell, they bring our men and women in combat home - NO MAN LEFT BEHIND.  They risk their own lives with each mission, evacuation, rescue they go on, for the life of another.  Their motto "That Others May Live" is meant and in bedded deep in their souls.  The men who make up CSR are truly the unsung heroes of our military, little to no glory given or asked for.

Scenario for you:  you are driving in a convoy in Afghanistan... your vehicle is hit with a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), you have insurgents coming down upon you and your trapped inside your vehicle with multiple injuries.  I hate to tell you this, but your local fire department or ambulance is not on its way.  Their will be no sounds of emergency crew sirens heading your way.  What you will hear is the "whoop whoop" of the Pave Hawk, what you will see is a Pararescue Jumper (PJ) leaning over you, risking his life to extract you from the mangled machine that was once your vehicle.  It's the PJ that will get you to the Pave Hawk and the CSR team that will get you back to base - fighting to keep you alive so you can go home to your loved ones.

Your loved ones - your mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, children, friends...  they are waiting day by day praying for your safe return.  They sit home shivering watching the news knowing that they may get that knock on the door, that call, that what they just viewed may have to do with you. The fear is real, the fear of knowing we may never see you again...

$6.8 billion dollars to bring you home....and all those after you.  Who can put a price on that?

Go to http://savecombatrescue.org/ to show your support.  Click on the tab "Take Action"  - a letter has already been written showing your support, you simply put your name, e-mail address at the bottom and hit "Submit".  Then, SHARE on Facebook, Twitter, Google+  let everyone know.  The more support the better.

For additional support of the Rescue Community visit : http://thatothersmaylive.org/  a non-profit organization helping the families of fallen Rescue Personnel.

Thank you, and God Bless You, our Military, and God Bless America!

What would happen if...

Do you ever think to yourself, what would happen if.... you got lost while you were out hiking in the mountains?   if.... you became injured while exploring the Grand Canyon?   if...  you took your personal sailboat into the ocean, the weather became bad and you could not make it back to shore or if you were apart of a fishing boat that experienced adverse weather what would become of you?  Here's one...  a hurricane came to shore and took out your home, neighborhood, all that you knew leaving you and your neighbors stranded,  or even worse....  a terrorist attack... who would help find your loved ones that have become missing?

All of these events have, do and will occur again.  Our first answers to these type of questions is always, our first responders; local firemen and policemen.  We also think of the Coast Guard or Air National Guard.

Among the brave men and women of the Coast Guard, Air National Guard (ANG), and Air Force (yes Air Force) is an elite group of men that, in a sense, is the first responder.  These men are the Air Force Pararescuemen, also know as PJs.  They are a special operations force that specializes in Search, Rescue and Recovery, in all adverse conditions.

 The ANG has PJ reserve units across the nation for when a tragedy occurs and their skills are needed.  Working directly with the Coast Guard, they are called upon to help in the search and recovery of boats at sea, and in the Great Lakes, or wherever the Coast Guard is in need of help (the movie "The Perfect Storm" shows the PJs at work).

Over the past year, PJs have been called upon multiple times to assist in the search and rescue of lost and injured hikers in places like Washington, Alaska, and Arizona to name a few.  They have the training to climb in harsh conditions, locate, treat the patient, and recover the individual(s) to safety.

During storms like Katrina and Sandy; PJs recovered a countless amount of people from their rooftops, front porches, and small boats while the water levels were uncontrollable.  They either came in by a HELO and hoisted individuals to safety, or used military boats to recover them and bringing them to safety.

9-11....  Yes, Pararescuemen were apart of the team that helped in the rescue efforts at both the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

These men undergo over 2 years of training...  and continue to maintain their training throughout their careers.  They are among an elite group of Special Operations men and work directly with the Naval SEALS.  They put their own lives on the line with every rescue they undertake - they do this with courage and honor.  They do this... that others may live.

How Many PJs Do You See?

Air Force Parasrecuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron take cover during an attack simulation of incoming fire from an enemy during an exercise in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti earlier this year.  the 82nd ERQS perform regular exercises, supporting the Combined Task Force - Horn of Africa


 

Labor Day

This great country was founded and formed by men who wanted something greater in life for not only themselves but also for their children.  Over the years, wars have been fought in order to maintain our right to pursuit happiness.  And this stands true today.

Labor Day was founded to honor the social and economic dedication and achievements  that American Workers perform throughout the year.  It's a yearly national tribute to the hard working citizens of this great country who continue to give our country strength, prosperity and ensures its well-being. 

The first state bill was introduced to the New York Legislature, however it was actually the state of Oregon that passed the law of a Labor Day recognition on February 21, 1887.  Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts also passed the law that same year.  By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Nebraska followed suit and by 1894 23 additional states had adopted the holiday to honor the American workers.  Finally, on June 28, 1894 the District of Columbia had passed the law stating that the first Monday of September will be declared a legal holiday known as Labor Day for the District and all of its territories.

 Labor Day has become a day of BBQs, the last of the summer, and a time to enjoy your close friends and family.  Beer, liquor, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken on the grill... let us not forget the potato or macaroni salad, and all the dips and chips.  Soda galore and juice boxes for the little ones.  But, miles away, this day of recognition won't have the same impact.  Men and Women will still put on their flax vests, their helmets, check their weapons...  they will wake up and put on their ABUs, BDUs...  blouse their pants, tie their boots, and the sounds of their dog tags jingling while they place them under their T-shirts can be heard if you listen.  F-16's, A-10s, Pave Hawks, take the sky - the sounds of American Freedom.  Let us not forget about them...  Let us not forget why we can continue to have holidays such as these...  Let us not forget...

God Bless America, all its Military Members and their families, and God Bless each of you.  Have a safe and enjoyable Holiday!

TSgt Mark A. Smith - Arlington National Cemetery Sept 5th

TSgt Mark A. Smith, 33rd RQS Flight Engineer who died when the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter in which he was flying went down during a training mission, will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on September 5, 2013 at 11:00 Easter Daylight Time.  Lt Col Pedro Ortiz, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander requests that friends of Rescue please join them for this solemn remembrance.

Information will be passed on as it is received....

12,000 Recoveries within CENTCOM since 9/11

"According to a DoD study, Air Force rescue forces have recovered more than half of all joint personnel recovery missions in the CENTCOM area of operations with 2 percent of the deployed rotary-wing aircraft.  According to the Air Force, this achievement has resulted in over 12,000 recoveries in CENTCOM since Sept. 11, 2001." - Mick Harper

Simply amazing work that our Rescue Heroes do every day.  That's 12,000 people who have gotten to go home to their loved ones, 12,000 families who got to hold their loved one again, 12,000 fathers/mothers/brothers/sisters/sons/daughters that were brought home.  12,000 plus lives effected because of your selfless acts.

Thank you for all you do!

And thank you "That Others May Live Foundation" for passing on this information!

AF Special Tactics PJs Rescue Alabama Teen

On August 8th, SSgt Matthew Macella and SSgt Chris Johnston, both special tactics pararescuemen instructors with the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlbert Field FL, were at a park, scouting the area for training purposes in the Cherokee Rock mountain range, in Sand Rock, Alabama.

"I heard a loud sliding noise, a scream and a thud about 100 meters away," stated Macella.

An 18 year old Alabama teenager had been rock climbing with his girlfriend when he slid 30 feet down a steep rock face into a crevice.

Natural instincts stepped in as Macella and Johnston quickly began to call out to the teen to try and identify his location.  They found him, still dangling and trapped approximately 8 feet above the ground.

Macella carefully navigated the climb, going through small crevices to reach the teen.  Once upon him, his medical condition was assessed and determined he was stable to move; Macella and Johnston extracted him through a 2 x 2 hole at the bottom of the crevice.  From there, they guided the teen up a 60 feet mountain face where their military vehicle awaited them and further medical treatment was given to his multiple lacerations and abrasions.  The teens girlfriend took him to the local emergency room for further evaluations.

Without the quick thinking and training that Macella and Johnston have, this teen could have been trapped for an extended period of time, thus making his injuries more severe.

AF Special Tactics Pararescuemen are mostly known for what they do within combat environments.  However, domestic situations arise on a daily basis, and they are called upon.  Their training allows them to get into restricted environments, land or sea, to extract, treat, stabilize and evacuate injured personnel, foreign or domestic.

For more information or if you are interested in what it takes to be a PJ visit:

http://www.afsoc.af.mil/specialtactics/pjtraining.asp

TSgt Daniel Zerbe

On August 6, 2011, TSgt Daniel Zerbe, a USAF PJ, lost his life along with 30 other US military heroes, 7 Afghan Commandos and 1 civilian interpreter when their Chinook was shot down in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

TSgt Daniel Zerbe, whose hometown was Red Lion, PA, was born in 1983.  He graduated from the local high school, that upon his death, held a memorial service for him with over a 1000 people.  A town that honored him and his family for the sacrifices that he made for our country.

"9 Line" is dedicated to TSgt Daniel Zerbe, along with our other fallen Combat Rescue Heroes.  May you always be remembered, and your sacrifices not forgotten.

TSgt Mark A. Smith

It has been confirmed that during a training mission in the Central Training Area, Okinawa Japan, that Technical Sergeant Mark A. Smith of the 33 Rescue Squadron was killed.  The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter that had gone down performing a training mission.  Cause of the fatal accident is still unknown and under investigation.  TSgt Mark Smith was the Rescue Engineer for the HELO

TSgt Smith joined the USAF immediately after his high school graduation in July of 2000 and served his 13 years proudly and honorably.  In 2011 he  arrived in Kadena and had served 2 tours in Afghanistan with the 33 RQS and performed a multitude of missions saving and aiding the lives of our military on the ground.  One such mission involving the rescue of a commando earning him the AF Commendation Medal.

TSgt Smith is survived by his wife Jessica, and by two daughters.

God Bless you and thank you for your sacrifice and service!

For more information visit http://www.kadena.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123359330

If you would like to make a donation to the Smith family and help them during this tragic time visit:

www.thatothersmaylive.org



That Others May Live is a foundation in support of the AF Rescue community.

As I receive information I will be sure to post.

That Others May Live

"That Others May Live"  - four simple words, but these four words are the last four words of the Pararescuemen Creed.  A creed that is taken to heart, and and is truly lived by. 

The Pararescuemen live and die by their creed, by the last four words "That others may live".  Over the course of the past several years the PJ Brotherhood have lost several members of their family.  Tragically their loved ones had to endure the heartbreaking moments of a military funeral, a flag draped coffin, that flag folded and handed to the next of kin, ending with the sounds of TAPS being played.  In a career field of less than 400 personnel worldwide, each member lost is tragic.

In support of the families, the "That Others May Live Foundation" was organized.  Established in 2002, "That Others May Live", or also known as TOML, is a non-profit 501 (c)3 charitable organization.  Providing support, scholarships and overall assistance to the families of the United States Air Force Rescue Heroes who lose their lives or are critically injured during both real world and training missions.

TOML is continually hosting fundraisers across the country.  You may also purchase items with their logo, proceeds going to TOML, of course.  If you visit their website at: www.thatothersmaylive.org  you can find more information and make online donations to this great cause!

PJ Creed

Pararescueman Creed

"It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life

and to aid the injured.

I will be prepared at all times to perform my

assigned duties quickly and efficiently,

placing these duties before

personal desires and comforts.

These things I do,

that others may live."

The most selfless three lines spoken...









Charlie the PJ

The legend goes...

In 1964 on a small island in Fiji, Tony "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" Willis was drawn to a very odd object one day.  This object was merely 18 in height, and was a carved wooden South Sea demi god.  This "Demi God" did not fit any real expectations of what a "Demi God" should look like, noooo.  This particular one has unbelievable proportions, and well, is ugly.  Tony fell in love with him.

Once back at Eglin AFB FL, "Charlie" as the Demi God was soon christened, and became more popular then Tony himself.  "Charlie" was administered a qualification ride, and received his maroon beret, a parachute, diving mask, and fins.

Charlie became very famous, very quickly and was requested at many ceremonies.  That's when it all began.

Charlie the PJs first abduction started later that year by an "assailant" of the Pararescue brotherhood.  Charlie was whisked away and taken to 55th AARS,

Many abductions soon followed.  Charlie has been across continents by land, by sea, and by air.  He has jumped into the deserts of the Middle East and climbed the ice bergs of Alaska.  He basks in the sun on tropical islands.  Charlie has truly lived an exceptional life as a PJ.

Over the years, rules have been made and are followed strictly by the PJ Brotherhood.  They are as follows:

1. Charlie will be absconded only by fully and currently qualified or retired PARARESCUEMEN.
2. Any effort by non-PARARESCUE personnel to abscond Charlie will be met with the full, unified force of the career field.
3. Charlie will physically occupy and dominate a place of honor at all PARARESCUE functions in which his presence is expected.
4. Efforts to abscond Charlie will not be instituted until the final hours of the function of which he is in attendance.
5. Only covert measures reflecting great pride upon the PARARESCUE career field will be employed during Charlie's acquisition.
6. Physical violence will not be employed except during circumstances in Rule 2 above.
7. Area destruction during any acquisition effort will be kept to a minimum except during circumstances reflected in Rule 2 above.
8. Charlie will not be altered or changed in any manner unless authorized by the consensus of the PARARESCUE Association officiated by the President of the Association.
9. His location need not be made public; however, he will be prominently displayed at all times during his tenure at his hosting PARARESCUE team's section.
10. Charlie will be transferred from point-to-point only through the most secure means, inclusive of U.S. Postal System, UPS, Federal Express, etc.
11. If Charlie is absconded by a recognized PARARESCUE retiree, that individual will not retain custody of him for more than one seven- day period before surrendering him to the operational PARARESCUE team of his choice.

-- OR --

The curse of a thousand PJs will be on you
if you violate these written rules!

For more information about Charlie the PJ visit:

http://www.pararescue.com/history.aspx?id=451

Domestic Rescues

Combat Rescue - Pararescue Jumper - PJ - Special Operations...  when people mention or talk about what these individuals do they automatically think about dropping into a war zone and pulling out a downed pilot, a shot soldier or an injured Marine who stepped on an IED.  Very true, they do all of that, and more.  However, what many don't realize is what they actually do when they are not in the war zone.  Okay yes, they train, and train, and train some more.  Not a day goes by that they are not working on bettering themselves, physically or mentally, in order to do their jobs better.  But wait there is more....

June 2013 in  Mt Hood, Oregon, 4 PJs and a CRO (Combat Rescue Officer) were called up from the 304th Rescue Squadron to participate in an on-going search and rescue mission of a lost hiker.  The Hiker was an experienced hiker from Salem, OR had gone missing. Earlier in March they responded to a missing female hiker and in 2012 the 304th were called upon and also, again assisted in the search and rescue of a missing hiker.  The 304th flew over 100 missions during the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 in hopes to find survivors and rescue them.

http://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=12335367

374th Expeditionary Rescue Group PJs airlifted nearly 3000 people from the New Orleans area during Hurricane Katrina.  Hours after the storm slammed the area the pararescuemen were called upon and worked the clock 24 hrs a day pulling hundreds of people to safety daily and taking them to nearby hospitals.

212th Rescue Squadron of Alaska perform hundreds of search and rescue missions every year, saving lives of those there in Alaska.  They work diligently with the 176th Wing and their sister units; the Alaskan State Troopers, Coast Guard, and Civil Air Patrol.  The extreme climate of this area requires extreme training.

http://www.176wg.ang.af.mil/units/176og/212rqs.asp

The domestic, civilian or home missions, how ever one may call it are happening every day.  I could place link upon link, showing story upon story of the hundreds of lives that these men rescue and save every year.  One live saved effects many.  Think of the mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband, children awaiting for their loved one to come home.  They went for a hike, nothing they don't do on a regular basis, but this time they didn't come home.  This time they didn't hear from them, this team, this one time they may never see their loved one again.  The worry, the fear, and then... the overwhelming gratitude that is felt when they receive that call, that notification or overhear it over the radio.  "we have him"  "he has been spotted"  "he is alive" "we are bringing him in"

Thank you for all you do - "that others may live"

Preparing to be a PJ?

So you have decided that you want to be a Pararescue Jumper aka PJ.  What is the best means of preparing to do so?  There are many different avenues one can take when they first start out on this journey.  Of course, if you go to the Air Force website and check it out you will see what you need to do to pass the PAST(Physical Ability Stamina Test) test:  http://www.afsoc.af.mil/specialtactics/pastcriteria.asp  this is a very good start.  If you are able to complete these items in the indicated times you are heading in the right direction.

PAST test must be completed in a 3 hour time frame.  It also must be conducted in the order in which the physical abilities are listed:

    - 2 x 25 underwater swim
    - 500 meter surface swim
    - 1.5 mile run
    - Calisthenics
    - Pull ups
    - Sit ups
    - Push ups
   
Please note that each item is timed and has a minimum amount that is required.  The above site goes into the details on this.

Talk with an AF Recruiter!!!  Your recruiter can be your best friend; if he believes that you have the capability to pursue this career he will do what he can to see you succeed!  Your recruiter can put you in touch with the right people who have been there, and done that.  He/she will be able to work with you in your training, and help you have a better understanding of what this career field entitles.  Your Recruiter is the pathway to getting you there.  If your local Recruiter is not familiar with the field, and he/she should be, ask him/her to recommend another one who can help you.

As I just stated, your Recruiter may be able to put you in contact with someone who is or was a PJ.  This is your best source of information.  If you are able to meet with one, they will talk your ear off (in a good way) about what you need to do to both mentally and physically prepare for INDOC.  When I had asked a dear PJ friend of mine on what he would have done if he didn't make it to graduation, his reply was,

 "that was going to happen.  I had plan "A", to be a PJ - there was no plan "B".  Those who go into INDOC and then into the Pipeline with a plan "B" won't graduate."

Another bit of advice I can give you, if you are still in High School, maybe a sophomore, look into joining the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).  The Civil Air Patrol is an Annexation of the Air Force, one can compare it to ROTC but they work more directly with the Air Force.  Once you have been apart of CAP and you have met certain criteria you are eligible to participate in the National Cadet Special Activities.  One such activity is called the Pararescue Jumper Orientation Course (PJOC)

http://ncsas.com/index.cfm/pararescue_orientation_course?show=career_fair&careerFairID=3

This is a one week course that is held in Albuquerque NM at Kirtland AFB.  The instructors are actual PJs, and the Cadets are trained on survival, rock climbing, land navigation along with many other techniques that are associated with the career field.  They are also physically challenged, having to pass their own PAST test prior to acceptance into the field, and two more times while there.

Study, research, work out, swim, use all your resources that are available to you if this is something that you are interested in doing.  It's the hardest thing you will ever do, but if you do it, and you succeed, you will be one of the elite to be able wear the maroon beret

"That others may live"