PENSACOLA, Fla. - Airman Winston Schenck, a native of Mountain House, California, 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.
Schenck is a 2023 graduate of Mountain House High School. Additionally, Schenck studied psychology at Brigham Young University-Idaho.
Schenck joined the Navy four months ago. Today, Schenck serves as a student rescue swimmer.
“My great-grandfather, Sam Schenck, served in the Navy during WWII,” Schenck said. "I joined the Navy to do what he did, and that is to make a better life for myself and my family."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Mountain House.
“My mother, Shawntel Schenck, always encouraged us to go above and beyond in all that we do,” Schenck said. "She also taught us the importance of being early and being prepared. That work ethic has been crucial in preparing me for military life."
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.
Schenck serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
Schenck has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of graduating boot camp and being promoted to airman,” Schenck said. "I am proud that I was effective as a section leader in keeping our division on spot."
Schenck can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means that I have access to a revered community,” Schenck said. "I can use this opportunity to further my education and be better qualified in civilian life."
Schenck is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to give a shout out to my sister, Shae, who is working on her bachelor's degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz,” Schenck added.
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| Photo by Ensign Tiffany Savoie, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Schenck is a 2023 graduate of Mountain House High School. Additionally, Schenck studied psychology at Brigham Young University-Idaho.
Schenck joined the Navy four months ago. Today, Schenck serves as a student rescue swimmer.
“My great-grandfather, Sam Schenck, served in the Navy during WWII,” Schenck said. "I joined the Navy to do what he did, and that is to make a better life for myself and my family."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Mountain House.
“My mother, Shawntel Schenck, always encouraged us to go above and beyond in all that we do,” Schenck said. "She also taught us the importance of being early and being prepared. That work ethic has been crucial in preparing me for military life."
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.
Schenck serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
Schenck has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of graduating boot camp and being promoted to airman,” Schenck said. "I am proud that I was effective as a section leader in keeping our division on spot."
Schenck can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means that I have access to a revered community,” Schenck said. "I can use this opportunity to further my education and be better qualified in civilian life."
Schenck is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to give a shout out to my sister, Shae, who is working on her bachelor's degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz,” Schenck added.