Humility Is the Prize

As I looked into the eyes of my perspective class of US Navy Search and rescue swimmers I could immediately see who had the passion and fire in their eyes to save another person’s life. “Can you set aside your own fears and dive into another person’s nightmare to become their only beacon of hope?” This is what I asked each and every person in that class to let them know that this is what they were getting themselves into. I was asked the same question 10 years ago when I was a student, and all I could remember thinking was that there could be no greater honor.

After I successfully completed the one month class that pushed me to my limits in every way imaginable I couldn’t be held down with a lead weight with how much my ego inflated. I generally believed that “being” something was in itself enough to bring along the bragging rights that came with it. In fact I would compare my job to the acts of heroism that Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher displayed in the movie “The Guardian.” I couldn’t have been more wrong if I tried.

One day as some friends of mine and I went out on a port visit to Brunei I would be tested on my beliefs. We spent most of the day hiking through the woods and crossing bridges on a very taxing hike which ended at a food spot at the mouth of 2 rapids. Before the food was presented we all decided to go for a swim. One of my friends grew tired while swimming and eventually couldn’t pull herself to shore. The water was so fast that day. I remember pulling her out with barely enough energy left. As I came in there were cries of horror as another person began actively drowning in those very same rapids. I jumped back in to save him and smashed my side on a tree trunk in the water. As I pulled him back to shore I could barely swim and struggled to get him to safety. A friend of mine helped me pull him in, and we were able to save his life.

The next day the entire ship’s crew and I gathered for the special announcement (I worked on a destroyer). We all watched as the other man who helped me at the end of the rescue was presented my award. Many people looked at me in amazement for not speaking up, but it was at that very moment that I believed that a wo/man’s greatest accomplishments were never publically acknowledged. Humility was the prize.

I later went on to teach people these life saving techniques. For me it wasn’t who I appeared to be. It was my accomplishments and the humility that came with it. Every time I spoke the words “I am a United States Navy Rescue Swimmer. I am here to assist” my intentions were truly that. I am here for you.