Episode 44

full
Published on:

27th Jul 2025

Path To Becoming A U.S Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer - With Aviation Survivalist Technician (AST3) Max Gardiner

So you want to become a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer? The pathway to becoming an Aviation Survivalist Technician (AST) is a journey with many challenges to overcome in accomplishing this objective. The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer/AST rate is one of the most highly sought after career paths / adventures the U.S Coast Guard offers. Many people seek to join the Coast Guard specifically to do this mission as it is one of the most adventurous jobs in the organization with a direct impact on saving lives. In this episode of the Coast To Coasties Podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend and bootcamp shipmate AST3 Max Gardiner as we discuss in this 2 part episode, how his journey began and how he got to where he is today. In the first episode we cover how Max discovered the Coast Guard and what motivated him to pursue a career as a Rescue Swimmer. We walk through his preparation for AST A-school and his time as a non-rate. For anyone who wants to learn more about Aviation rates or may have interest in becoming an Aviation Survivalist Technician, tune into this episode and listen to Max share how he prepared for this amazing adventure!

Show artwork for Coast To Coasties

About the Podcast

Coast To Coasties
This podcast is dedicated to those interested in learning more about the United States Coast Guard through the lens of myself as an active duty Coast Guard member. My goal is to bring guests from all different sections of the Coast Guard both active, reserve, and retired as well as member from the civilian maritime industry to share their stories and experiences. This will better my listeners understanding of what the Coast Guard does, why we love what we do, and inform you of how cool and amazing the job is that we perform on a daily basis. Fans, Prospective Recruits, Family, Military, And people just interested in general about the Coast Guard will all find great enjoyment listening to the Coast To Coasties Podcast. Thank You for listening and stay Semper Paratus!

About your host

Profile picture for Hunter Giacomuzzi

Hunter Giacomuzzi

Active duty Ensign Marine Inspector serving in the United States Coast Guard, aiming to bring content and information about our wonderful service to as many listeners as possible in my informative podcast show