[GH85Carrera]

My only scuba diving was done under adverse conditions in 1970. A buddy of mine from school was really into diving and had done the training in a pool. He was certified and was always saying how cool it was. Living in Hawaii made it easy so I said I would try it.

We showed up at a freaking beach with decent waves. My buddy was a typical teenager and walked into the ocean and disappeared. The only reason I agreed to go was the guy standing next to me. He was one of the guys that jumped into the water to hook up to the returning Apollo 11 capsule. He never did talk much but when I asked him if he was an instructor for scuba he said don't worry, you are with me and you will be fine.

I sucked at the scuba because my brain kept screaming you dumb ass you are underwater bouncing in the waves you can't breath now. I could not get myself to breath properly. If I had some practice in a calm pool it would have have been different. I always assumed he was a Navy Seal but that was a stupid assumption because my buddy was another Air Force brat and the beach we were on was an Air Force property.

When I met the PJ that married my co-worker he corrected me. All the rescue guys that recovered the NASA missions were air Force PJs. Pararescue is the only DOD asset that is specifically tasked with NASA recovery operations, and has been the only asset to take on that task since the 60/70's time frame.

The Navy has no version of Pararescue; they have ship borne rescue swimmers, but not the same. Coast Guard has their rescue swimmers, but again, are not tasked in the recovery mission. And the SEALs would not do that mission, the SEALS would be called to kill someone not rescue them.