Junior Guards USA training gives kids Coast Guard experience

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) -Dozens of children faced their fears this weekend as they treaded water underneath Coast Guard helicopters during the Junior Guards USA competition and Joint Training Evaluation.

The event served as the culmination of the Junior Guards Program, which provides kids with Coast Guard curriculum. Participants put their training to the test in rescue drills, medical response exercises and teamwork challenges.

“This is the culmination of this session’s events. So, everything we’ve taught them from rescue drills, exercises, medical response, and working together as a team, we put together in one big event,” said Michael Baierski, director of operations for Junior Guards USA.

Competition honors fallen rescue swimmer

The competition honors Aviation Rescue Swimmer AST3 Paul Medgyessy, who was killed in 2003. The 504 Junior Guards USA competition brings together participants to demonstrate skills learned throughout the program.

“This is just the time where the kids get to take everything that they learn throughout their process and really kind of show the pride that they have in the things that they’ve learned,” Baierski said.

The training included 30 to 40 kids treading water underneath Coast Guard helicopters, an experience Baierski said few people get to have.

“Putting a group of 30 to 40 kids treading water underneath a military asset, nobody gets to do that,” he said.

The program aims to build confidence and help participants conquer their fears.

“Having built the confidence for that, having set them up for it, and then really highlighting that nobody gets to do this. It’s just one of those big celebratory moments to kind of really celebrate what they’ve done,” Baierski said.

By the end of the program, these kids won’t just remember the helicopter. They’ll remember the moment they discovered what they’re capable of