Ronan grad joins next generation of elite Navy rescue swimmers

Airman Adriana Tatukivei, a native of Ronan, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where the next generation of Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute life-or-death rescues in the most extreme conditions imaginable.

Tatukivei is a 2022 graduate of Ronan High School and joined the Navy one year ago. Today, she serves as a student rescue swimmer.

 “My parents came to this country to get a better life,” Tatukivei said. Her mom is from Brazil and her dad is from Fiji. “I wanted to give back and help people, to save lives.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ronan.

“Coming from a small town, there's much to do, so helping the community was something instilled in me at a young age” she said. “Family is very much important.”

Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, ARSS provides initial aviation water survival training and CPR qualification to all preflight student naval aviators and student naval flight officers, student flight surgeons, naval aircrew candidates, student aviators from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and international student aviators.

As part of the world’s most elite Special Operations force, AIRRs are a team dedicated to being the top emergency response unit in the world. Leaping from helicopters, swimming through raging seas and saving victims whose lives are on the line, AIRRs complete search and rescue missions in some of the most extreme environments imaginable.

The motto of an AIRR is, “so others may live.” It’s a testament to not only the selflessness of this job but the honor, courage and commitment it takes to do it well.

Tatukivei serves a Navy that operates around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.

“My proudest accomplishment is graduating and getting into rescue swimmer school,” Tatukivei said. "I'm very confident that I can overcome the obstacles and make it to the next step.”

Tatukivei says she’s learned some valuable skills through military service and hopes to inspire others.

“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of purpose, and it has provided me with structure and discipline I didn't have before,” she said. "Serving also sets a good example for my little brother. There are a lot of opportunities in this country for us.”

Tatukivei is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my family,” Tatukivei said. “I also want to thank Rick Reeves, retired Army. He helped coach me on getting into the rescuer swimmer program. He's a Vietnam veteran, and he's done so much for me.”

She also credits her mother for instilling a strong work ethic. “She has given me the drive to achieve greater things.”