Rob Simpson dropped out of college after his freshman year and joined the Coast Guard. He spent his first four years of service on a Coast Guard Cutter stationed in Wilmington, NC. During his time on the ship, he discovered his passion for search and rescue and realized that serving in the Coast Guard wasn’t going to be a part-time gig. It could even be argued that it issued him a wife and family, as he met his wife-to-be on a port call in the Bahamas. In 2006, Rob decided to switch jobs within the Coast Guard, and went through Helicopter Rescue Swimmer “A” School in Elizabeth City, NC. Although it is arguably one of the toughest training curriculums in the armed forces, Rob graduated by the skin of his teeth and has served as an operational Rescue Swimmer ever since. He is a loving husband and incredibly proud father of two daughters, all of whom absorb much of his free time. He is currently stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City.