A Coast Guard rescue swimmer completed his first operational mission by helping save 165 people from catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas during Independence Day weekend, marking a heroic debut that has earned national recognition.
Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, 26, coordinated rescue operations at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp that experienced some of the most severe flooding during the recent storms that have killed at least 80 people across the Lone Star State.
The New Jersey native and former KPMG accountant enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2021 and had been on standby since November after completing all required training programs.
His transition from corporate accounting to military service represented a dramatic career change that would prove lifesaving for hundreds of Texans.
Ruskan completed basic training before attending Aviation Survival Technician school in Petaluma, California, and was subsequently stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The rigorous training program prepared him for high-stakes rescue operations in challenging environments.
During his waiting period, he familiarized himself with the Coast Guard’s MH-65 helicopter and participated in additional rescue swimming courses while preparing for his first operational deployment.
The iconic helicopter would become his primary tool for saving lives during the Texas emergency.