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

Over two decades in the Navy, Aviation Rescue Swimmer David Allen built a career defined by courage and commitment. During one harrowing mission in the Persian Gulf, a ship was going down — and David launched in a CH-46 helicopter into chaos. That rescue would earn him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, one of the highest awards for heroism not involving combat.
After that, David continued to serve as a SAR Instructor, at WTU (Weapons Tactic Unit) and later HSC-4, completing “3.5” deployments to Iraq. His story embodies the true spirit of the Rescue Swimmer creed — “So Others May Live.”

In this episode of Calm in the Chaos, David shares:
The full story behind the CH-46 Gulf rescue that tested every ounce of skill and faith
The meaning behind receiving the Navy & Marine Corps Medal
Life as a SAR Instructor and WTU
Deployments with HSC-4 and lessons from 20+ years of service

👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.

CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 49

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 checkout
100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!

#DavidAllen #RescueSwimmer #NavyRescueSwimmer #AviationRescueSwimmer #NavyAndMarineCorpsMedal #CH46 #PersianGulfRescue #HSC4 #CalmInTheChaosPodcast #BrianDickinson #SoOthersMayLive #SARInstructor #WTU #IraqDeployments #NavyHero #VeteranStories #RescueSwimmerStories #NavyLife #CourageUnderPressure #MilitaryHeroes

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Jeremy Way has spent 17 years as an active-duty U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, responding to high-risk rescues where seconds matter and hesitation costs lives.
Recently, Jeremy found himself in the headlines for a rescue that happened off duty. While eating lunch, he witnessed a woman drive her car into the water. Without waiting for responders, Jeremy and others entered the water and reached her just seconds before the vehicle sank, pulling her to safety.
In this episode of Calm in the Chaos, we talk about what makes moments like that possible—not luck, not adrenaline, but years of training, discipline, and readiness that never shuts off.
This conversation goes beyond the headlines and into the mindset of someone who lives prepared—on duty or not.

In this episode:
17 years as an active-duty Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer
What real rescue swimmer training builds into decision-making
The off-duty water rescue that made national headlines
Why instinct takes over when time runs out
Service, responsibility, and staying ready when no one’s watching

👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.

CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 48

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 checkout
100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!

#NavyRescueSwimmer #AviationRescueSwimmer #USNavy #SearchAndRescue #WaterRescue #OffDutyHero #RealLifeRescue #MilitaryMindset #csar #NavyAviation #FirstResponder #RescueSwimmer #CalmintheChaos #DecisionMakingUnderPressure #JeremyWay #virginiabeach

With multiple deployments and decades of service, Jason Barney embodies what it means to be a lifelong student and leader. From his early days as a Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer to serving as CNO SAR Model Manager and with HSC-85, Jason’s career has been defined by excellence, mentorship, and innovation.
In this episode of Calm in the Chaos, Jason shares stories from his time in the Navy, the lessons learned from global deployments, and how he continues to shape the next generation of rescue swimmers. His perspective reminds us that leadership isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about staying teachable, even after retirement.

In this episode:
Lessons from multiple deployments
The role and responsibilities of the CNO SAR Model Manager
The evolution of the Rescue Swimmer program
What it means to lead with humility and purpose

👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.

CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 47

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 checkout
100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!

#JasonBarney #RescueSwimmer #NavyRescueSwimmer #AviationRescueSwimmer #CNO #SARMODELMANAGER #HSC85 #CalmInTheChaosPodcast #BrianDickinson #SoOthersMayLive #NavyLeadership #NavyVeteran #RescueSwimmerStories #MilitaryMentorship #SARCommunity #VeteranStories #NavyLife #AlwaysTheStudent #MilitaryExcellence

For 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

For ten years, Tommy Maxwell served as a U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, operating under pressure, saving lives, and learning from some of the best — including the late Master Chief Tony DiCenso, a legend in the SAR community.
Now out of the military, Tommy has shifted his mission — from rescuing people to educating and inspiring others through wildlife storytelling. On his popular YouTube channel @Tommys_reptiles, he shares his lifelong passion for reptiles, showing the world that these misunderstood creatures deserve respect, not fear.

In this episode of Calm in the Chaos, we talk about:
What it’s really like to serve a decade as a Navy Rescue Swimmer
The mentorship and legacy of Master Chief Tony DiCenso
Transitioning from the military to civilian life and creative purpose
Tommy’s mission to humanize reptiles and share wildlife filmmaking adventures

👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.

CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 46

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 checkout
100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!

#TommyMaxwell #RescueSwimmer #NavyRescueSwimmer #AviationRescueSwimmer #TonyDiCenso #CalmInTheChaosPodcast #BrianDickinson #SoOthersMayLive #NavySAR #Reptiles #WildlifeFilmmaking #VeteranStories #AnimalEducation #NavyVeteran #RescueSwimmerStories #SARCommunity #HumanizingReptiles #MilitaryToCivilian #NavyLife

For 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

When Hurricane Katrina unleashed chaos across the Gulf Coast, Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Tim Hawkins was sent into the storm. In the middle of the devastation, he faced an unthinkable decision — save a life or risk losing his.
This episode of Calm in the Chaos dives into the real rescue missions of Hurricane Katrina, told by one of the men who lived it. Tim Hawkins shares what it meant to operate in impossible conditions — flooded cities, downed power lines, exhausted crews, and endless rescues. His split-second decision in that moment would define not just his mission, but his mindset for the rest of his life.

In this episode:
Inside the chaos of Katrina rescue operations
The life-or-limb moment that tested Tim’s training and mindset
Lessons in composure, courage, and compassion under pressure
The brotherhood of the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community

👉 Subscribe, share, and review — it helps more veterans, first responders, and families find hope through these stories.

CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 45

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 checkout
100% of proceeds go to support the podcast!

#TimHawkins #RescueSwimmer #NavyRescueSwimmer #AviationRescueSwimmer #HurricaneKatrina #CalmInTheChaosPodcast #BrianDickinson #SoOthersMayLive #SearchAndRescue #MilitaryStories #NavyLife #HeroicRescue #VeteranStories #NavyAviation #SAR #RealHeroes #SurvivalStories #NavyBrotherhood

For 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