Transitioning from a military career to an unconventional profession, Nick Rinn has embarked on a journey that few would consider. His work as an underwater rescue diver involves the challenging task of recovering bodies, a path driven by passion and commitment.
An Oregon native, Rinn served two years in the Army on active duty before joining the Army National Guard for nine years in Bend. His military service included providing security for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Rinn’s fascination with underwater recovery began early. He became a certified scuba diver at 13 and later founded the Oregon Rescue Divers, a nonprofit focused on underwater recovery missions. His work has taken him across the country, collaborating with search and recovery teams to locate missing individuals and vehicles.
Despite the fulfillment that comes with his role, the emotional challenges are significant. Rinn acknowledges, “Body recovery is a unique form of using your scuba diving skills and it’s definitely not for everybody.” He adds, “What keeps me able to continue to focus on that is that I tell myself, you know, I have to see that, so others don’t have to.”
From Soldier to Security at the Olympics
Rinn’s journey began in Central Oregon, where he chose to settle after his military career. Following his high school graduation in 1992, he pursued a military path as a construction equipment operator. His basic training was completed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed by further training with the Army Corps of Engineers, leading to a two-year stint at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
In 1996, Rinn returned to Bend and joined the 1249th Engineer Battalion of the National Guard. His military service provided a unique opportunity to volunteer for security duty at the 2002 Winter Olympics shortly after 9/11, a time of heightened security. “During that time, I had the honor to volunteer to go do security at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah,” Rinn shared. “That was pretty close to right after 9/11 and so the world was on alert, especially our country. High security.”
Rinn’s unit was tasked with perimeter security and gate entrance duties at the women’s hockey events, ensuring safety by monitoring entrances similar to airport security protocols. Reflecting on the experience, Rinn said, “You think about it, how often do they have Olympic Games here in the United States, let alone that close to your hometown?”
Passion and Purpose in Diving
Although many assume Rinn’s diving expertise originated from his military background, his journey into professional diving began much later. He rekindled his interest in scuba diving through a chance encounter with an apprentice and pursued advanced training in rescue diving and underwater criminal investigation.
Rinn’s commitment led to the establishment of Oregon Rescue Divers, where he and his team assist in aquatic emergencies. The most challenging aspect of his work is interacting with the families of those who are missing. Rinn explains, “Even though you don’t know this person, it’s somebody’s person. And then you finally do find the person, and they say thank you for sticking it out while nobody else was here to do that. I think that’s what hits home, and that’s what makes me feel really good about what we do as a team.”
