Los Angeles Chargers star safety Derwin James Jr. knew he was headed to the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in San Diego to conduct some training exercises with the men and women who serve there.
What he didn't know was that he would leave with new leadership tactics that he will apply on the football field in 2024.
Thanks to USAA, the NFL's official Salute to Service partner, James was able to participate in rigorous simulated rescue mission training as well as open-water pursuit training in Sector San Diego.
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Derwin James Jr. joined the U.S. Coast Guard in San Diego for intensive training. (USA)
“They really gave me a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he told Fox News Digital by phone.
James' first assignment was pursuit training, as the Coast Guard deals with frequent smuggling in the waters surrounding the base.
Lt. Jo Green, the command's external affairs officer at Sector San Diego, explained that James would be with a team in their “fastest small boat,” which goes “over 50 knots,” and would be chasing another Coast Guard vessel simulating a smuggling boat that refuses to stop.
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James was then to be used as an open water rescue victim. Traveling by helicopter, James was designated as a “PIW,” or person in the water, and was lowered in a basket into the ocean.
Asked if he was nervous during training, James said he immediately felt comfortable because of the military personnel around him.
“To be honest, when I first thought about it, I was like, 'Man, I'm with the U.S. Coast Guard. If I'm safe with somebody, I'm safer with them.' That's how I looked at it,” he said. “But at that moment, it was surreal for me to be hovering over the water in that helicopter about to take off. That's when the moment became real. Up until that point, I was fine. I had safe people around me, a team around me. They were helping me, giving me hints and tips. When that moment came, it was time to play.”
James noticed how hard it was for him to stay afloat even with his life jacket on, but seeing the waves crash against him and being out there with no land in sight put things into perspective.
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr., No. 3, warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 4, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
“I can't thank them enough, honestly, for giving me that experience because I would never have been able to experience something like that,” he explained. “I can't pay for an experience like that anywhere in the world. I feel honored and blessed that they personally chose me because I realize all the sacrifices they make with their families every day. Just to take a look, to take a look. Those aren't even the actual things that they do, but just to take a look, I appreciate them that much more.”
James mentioned during the training video that, just like on a football field, things can go wrong during these missions. However, he knows that these service members have worked hard to develop their fundamentals, trust their teammates, and stay in the moment when things get tough.
Yeah, that sounds pretty familiar to James.
“They made me feel confident and really helped me in my leadership,” he said. “I'm like, 'Man, I need to make my guys feel comfortable. The rookies and stuff coming in.' They made me feel like I'd already been in the job and that's what made it easier. That lets you know I relate it to football in that aspect, where you're depending on other people.
“Yes, we're playing for this, but well, it can change. The whole mission might have to change with this decision, or something might happen, and you just have to rely on the people around you who are experienced. I was able to experience it firsthand and I was able to see that.”
Chargers star safety Derwin James Jr. smiles while riding in a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. (USA)
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James continues to train with his teammates in preparation for the 2024 regular season, which is just around the corner.
New head coach Jim Harbaugh sees him as someone who can provide leadership in the locker room and on the field, and while he was confident in his abilities to do so before this intensive training, James' leadership qualities are further strengthened thanks to the men and women he met in the Coast Guard.
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