Calm in the Chaos - U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast

• Journey from Non-Designated Airman to Navy Rescue Swimmer and Surface Warfare Officer

  He started as a non-designated airman aboard a Navy ship — no rating, no clear path forward. But through discipline, faith, and relentless drive, Laurquis earned his wings as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer, mastering one of the Navy’s toughest training pipelines. His journey didn’t stop there — he rose again, becoming a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), leading sailors on the high seas.In this episode, we dive into:What life is like for a non-rated sailor trying to find directionThe brutal reality and brotherhood of Rescue Swimmer SchoolLeadership lessons that carried him into the Surface Warfare communityThe mindset that separates those who quit from those who rise👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 44So Others May Live! 🫡🇺🇸Keep Calm in the Chaos Merch(Link in bio or https://shop.calminthechaospodcast.com)Military and First Responders get 10% discount with code: SARRESCUE10 applied at checkout100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!#LaurquisRockSowell #RescueSwimmer #NavyRescueSwimmer #AviationRescueSwimmer #NavySWO #SurfaceWarfareOfficer #CalmInTheChaosPodcast #BrianDickinson #NavyMotivation #MilitaryLeadership #RescueSwimmerStories #NavyLife #SoOthersMayLive #VeteranStories #USNavy #NavyJourneyFor more content, subscribe to our channel and follow @TheCalmintheChaosPodcast:Twitter: https://x.com/briancdickinson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandickinson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briancdickinson  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briancdickinson

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• Surviving the Unsurvivable: Jay Shropshire on the Kuwait Helo Crash, Brotherhood, and Finding Purpose After Service

  In this powerful episode of Calm in the Chaos, I sit down with Jay Shropshire, retired Senior Chief, Aviation Rescue Swimmer — a brother I went through training with. Jay opens up about the catastrophic Navy helicopter crash in Kuwait that everyone miraculously survived, and the invisible battles that followed after 23 years of dedication to serving our country.We talk about survival, purpose, and the quiet struggle of transitioning from military life to civilian reality. It’s one of the heaviest and most honest episodes yet — a reminder that even the strongest warriors carry unseen scars.👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 42So Others May Live! 🫡🇺🇸Keep Calm in the Chaos Merch(Link in bio or https://shop.calminthechaospodcast.com)Military and First Responders get 10% discount with code: SARRESCUE10 applied at checkout100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!#CalmInTheChaosPodcast #AviationRescueSwimmer #RescueSwimmer #JayShropshire #BrianDickinson #NavyVeteran  #SoOthersMayLive #HelicopterCrashSurvivor #MilitaryTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #Resilience #Brotherhood #FaithThroughAdversity #LeadershipUnderPressure #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranStoriesFor more content, subscribe to our channel and follow @TheCalmintheChaosPodcast:Twitter: https://x.com/briancdickinson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandickinson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briancdickinson  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briancdickinson

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• Navy Rescue Swimmer Collin Koss – Multiple Rescues, F/A-18 Ejection, and the Journey to Officer

  Collin Koss built a remarkable Navy career as a Rescue Swimmer, performing multiple rescues at sea before witnessing one of the most harrowing moments imaginable — an F/A-18 ejection that struck the back of the carrier. Later, Collin made the jump to officer, leading from the front and shaping the next generation of sailors. Now, with retirement on the horizon, he reflects on a career of service, sacrifice, and lessons that will last a lifetime.In this episode, Collin shares the highs and lows of his journey — from rescues in the fleet to the burden of command — and the perspective that only comes with decades in uniform.CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 43So Others May Live! 🫡🇺🇸Keep Calm in the Chaos Merch(Link in bio or https://shop.calminthechaospodcast.com)Military and First Responders get 10% discount with code: SARRESCUE10 applied at checkout100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!#NavyRescueSwimmer #USNavy #HelicopterRescue #CombatRescue #MilitaryPodcast #NavalAviation #CarrierLife #F18 #RescueSwimmer #MilitaryLife #VeteranStories #SearchAndRescue #AviationPodcast #MilitaryHistory

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• Navy Rescue Swimmer John Brown – From Surf Sales to SAR Deployments, SWTI School, and Instructor Duty

  Before joining the Navy, John Brown was selling surf gear in Florida. Soon after, he was jumping from helicopters as a Rescue Swimmer on multiple deployments, later advancing through SWTI — the “Top Gun” for rotary aviation — and finishing his career shaping the next generation as an instructor.In this episode, John shares the grind of fleet life, the intensity of advanced training, and the responsibility of teaching others to carry on the mission. His journey is proof that resilience and grit can change the trajectory of a life.CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 41Listen to full episode now! “Calm in the Chaos” is available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and YouTube. Find our conversation and subscribe! - LINKS IN BIO.So Others May Live! 🫡🇺🇸Keep Calm in the Chaos Merch(Link in bio or https://shop.calminthechaospodcast.com)Military and First Responders get 10% discount with code: SARRESCUE10 applied at checkout100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!#NavyRescueSwimmer #USNavy #CSAR #SWTI #TopGunForRotary #HelicopterRescue #CombatRescue #MilitaryPodcast #RescueSwimmerInstructor #NavalAviation #MilitaryLife #VeteranStories #SearchAndRescue #AviationPodcast

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• Chris Vliet: Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer to Firefighter | Surviving a BMX Crash & Coma Recovery

  Chris Vliet’s journey is one of resilience, survival, and service. A former U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, Chris lived through some of the most intense training and unique missions the Navy has to offer before transitioning to a career as a firefighter.In this powerful episode, Chris opens up about his time as a Navy Rescue Swimmer, the lessons he carried into firefighting, and his near-death experience in a BMX biking accident that left him in a coma. His story of recovery and determination is both inspiring and a reminder of the strength of the human spirit.CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 40So Others May Live! 🫡🇺🇸Keep Calm in the Chaos Merch(Link in bio or https://shop.calminthechaospodcast.com)Military and First Responders get 10% discount with code: SARRESCUE10 applied at checkout100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!#NavyRescueSwimmer #FirefighterStories #SurvivalStories #USNavy #RescueSwimmer #VeteranStories #ComaSurvivor #BMXCrash #MilitaryPodcast #FirefighterPodcast #OvercomingAdversity #Resilience #SearchAndRescue #NavyVeterans

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