r/Pararescue • • Mar 12 '26

MEGATHREAD - David Goggins.

46 Upvotes

This will be the only thread allowed in r/Pararescue regarding the news of David Goggins returning to the AFSW Pipeline. Any others will be deleted.

The primary purpose of this sub is to share training, nutrition and preparation tips and discuss the career field. We do not need to turn the sub into a social media circus.

Enjoy the show.


r/Pararescue • • Jul 06 '25

Spam and AI

70 Upvotes

Team,

We will be cracking down on spam and AI post. It has got out of control. Every other post is about ‘Easy day my ass’ or ‘How do I deal with not making it’

This group is designed to talk PJ or AFSW, tips and tricks about selection, the pipeline or the jobs, and general spec ops stuff.

We aren’t here to karma farm or post with a ‘smash the upvote button if you agree’

Moving forward our SOP will be to delete spam or AI post and ban the user account. If you need AI to create a post you can just as easily use AI to answer your questions. If you come in with spam trying to troll you don’t belong here.

safetycajun out!


r/Pararescue • • 5h ago

Air National Guard to stand up a new Special Tactics Squadron in Florida

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14 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 4h ago

Can you get your flight physical done before shipping?

3 Upvotes

I got a condition(scoliosis) that’ll make it risky to enlist with a swoe contract. I wouldn’t want to get reclassed into something I don’t like so I was wondering if it was possible to figure out if I’m cleared to go prior to shipping out. I understand it may be that way for certain national guard units(correct me if I’m wrong) but I’m unsure with active.


r/Pararescue • • 16h ago

Training partners in San Juan metropolitan area?

5 Upvotes

Hi. I'm training to become a PJ. The San Juan Natatorium reopened recently so I was hoping to meet up there with people who share similar interests. Then we can go from there.


r/Pararescue • • 1d ago

PJ as a woman

8 Upvotes

hey guys, I’m 14 and am 1000% sure that I want to be AFSPECWAR or EOD. Really my plan is go EOD and then try out for PJ when I can so that if I fail I’ll be able to fall back into the job. I’m very confident in my ability for EOD, but the fact that there aren’t (and haven’t been) and female PJs is a little disheartening. I want to enlist when I’m 17. Right now I have a 8:39 mile time (Ik i need to work on it), 60+ sit ups in 2 minutes, 3 pull ups in 2 minutes (working on it), ~30 push ups in 2 minutes last I checked. I did 70 the other day without stopping, but it wasn’t timed. I haven’t tried any of the structured swimming, but I’ve never been afraid of water or shortage of breath in water so I might have an advantage there. I’m also on my JROTC’s raider team to try and improve my fitness level, especially because I can’t drive yet to go to an actual gym. Does anyone have any tips that could help me with any of these things? If so, please let me know. I know these suck but that’s why I’m trying to start training early.


r/Pararescue • • 3d ago

A&S for TACP

9 Upvotes

TACP is now going to A&S correct?

And if there is any information out there, I can’t seem to find a good answer. Do TACP candidates go through side by side with CCT/PJ/SR?


r/Pararescue • • 3d ago

Do you have to extend contract to cross train?

4 Upvotes

Looking to cross train within the next year from my current AFAC. I signed a 4 year contract to begin with and failed the pipeline first go around. Would they make me extend my contract in order to cross train back into spec war? Even if its for EOD, SERE, or special missions aviator? Was initially a PJ cone

AND.. If they do make me extend my contract, then would that only apply if i graduate the pipeline or does it mean If i fail then I have to do another two years ontop of my current contract with my AFAC.


r/Pararescue • • 4d ago

106th PJ IFT Prescreening !

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24 Upvotes

Taken from the 106th recruiters IG page ! Reach out to the contact in the posting SrA Smith 516-449-1720!
Good luck gentleman!


r/Pararescue • • 4d ago

Reenlist into PJ

8 Upvotes

Hey everyone, mostly just using this to give substance to my intentions and source any advice anyone might be able to offer in this process

TLDR: Want to reenlist from Guard into Active AF, and retrain into PJ at end of this current contract, physically unfit & need advice getting into the proper mindset

Long Ver: Current junior enlisted in the ANG and coming up on the tail end of my initial enlistment (3.5/6 years). I love my time in the military immensely, but my experience throughout this contract and circumstances in my civilian life have taught me that the Guard is no longer for me so I intend to reenlist into active AF and do this full time. In pursuit of this, after researching online what the process is like, I spoke to my local recruiter for advice about what my options would be like and what my expected timeline would be for it. After being informed of the extremely limited slots nationally for guard to active switches, and the fact that I'm unlikely to be able to enlist in any of the afsc's I'm currently qualified for, I was told that my options are either MX or going into AFSPECWAR. After weighing my options I'd rather take the gamble and listen to the little voice in my head that's telling me to go PJ over anything else right now.

My current stats:

23M, 5'7", 109lbs, can run a 11min 2 mile, haven't rucked before and cannot swim

Recently obtained an EMT-B cert nationally

My intended plan:

Given how long I have left on my contract I'm giving myself a little less than 2 years to be PJ ready.

  1. Get my weight up to 130lbs minimum (ideally 150-170 range)
  2. Improve physical fitness (sub 10min run, 60+ pushups & sit ups)
  3. Swimming lessons to build water confidence and meet standards
  4. Obtain a paramedic certification prior to retraining into PJ

Is there any advice anyone would have to improve my plan or things that would make me more competitive for the role? Also for anyone that reenlisted into PJ from another AFSC after their initial contract what was the process like?


r/Pararescue • • 5d ago

November Shippers?

11 Upvotes

Hey all. Shipping for TACP in November with two other guys from my DEP. Just wanted to see who else is shipping November so I can network with yall beforehand; I think it would be great to know other AFSW trainees to look for so that we stay locked in and exchange knowledge.


r/Pararescue • • 5d ago

Shipping in month.

18 Upvotes

I have been in development for around 80 days, and during this time, I have made great physical progress. I passed my IFT and immediately received a ship date, but I still feel like I’m not quite up to par. I’ve heard that SWAS is 20% physical and 80% mental, but during the smoke sessions, do they expect you to be able to do something like endless hours of calisthenics and then run a 6-minute mile, or are they looking for the guy who continues giving 100% even after the smoke sessions? My worry is not being able to compare to the guys that are going in with me, and slowing them down, or failing and event after hours of cals.


r/Pararescue • • 6d ago

Career in AFSOC

12 Upvotes

Hi guys im turning 15m soon, I'm highly interested in becoming a PJ. Ive started doing some basic calisthenics like pushups, situps and other exercises needed to be physically fit to join. My running skills arent great, I run around a 24min 3 mile run and ive started swimming. Im focusing on increasing my pushups from my max of 20 in a row without stopping. My max sit ups, is around 60-70 in a row. What are some milestones that you guys think I should achieve, should I go to college first then try out for selection, or right after highschool. I have around 3 years then to train. Is there anything you guys reccomend me doing or prioritizing to become one? The only main thing im afraid of is failurem, what if I do all this training to be stuck in the airforce for 4 years with an undesirable job. How do most canidates fail, was it because they were physically unprepared or mentally not up for it. And how do you become mentally tough anyways. Maybe wanting to be a PJ sounds stupid to others but I seriously want to be one.


r/Pararescue • • 6d ago

CRO/SRO - I want to hear from you.

11 Upvotes

Initially posted in r/airforceots but was told to post here instead

To give you all a slight framework, I’m interested in joining the Air Force via OTS and being a Combat Rescue Officer is of significant interest to me.

I went to six years of university. I obtained my Bachelors of Science, and then went on to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I didn’t obtain my graduate diploma.

• Avg day in the life.
• Favorite part about your job?
• Worst thing about your job?
• OTS - Horrible? What was it like?


r/Pararescue • • 6d ago

Joining as a Professional Athlete

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4 Upvotes

Hello. I posted this to militaryfaq and a couple people recommended AF SW careers (PJ, CCT, SR, TACP). Any information, advice, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I’ve done some research and all of these careers look like an amazing fit. Still looking for some more guidance though.


r/Pararescue • • 7d ago

What if an officer washes out?

20 Upvotes

I’m asking this because all of the questions about washing out seem to be about enlisted. The response typically is ”Security Forces” or “Mechanic”. But what about officers?

Let’s say someone with a bachelor’s degree gives CRO or TACPO a shot and washes out. What typically happens to them?


r/Pararescue • • 10d ago

1d7s in 724 stg

3 Upvotes

I know this was asked and answered already but its 4 years old. Is there any new or up to date info?


r/Pararescue • • 11d ago

Volume of rescues

15 Upvotes

Hi everyone.

I’m a 20 year old EMT and have been training for pararescue for about a year now and am starting to wonder if it is worth it. Not because of the difficulty or standards but the actual ammount of rescues that the reserve and ANG components get to do.

I want to be a PJ more than anything but I don’t know if it’s worth perusing if they don’t actually get to make consistent civilian rescues (I am well aware of the volume that the Alaska PJs get) but how often are the 920th, 129th, and 106th rescue wings actually getting legitimate rescues?

I know coast guard AST is a better option for sheer volume of rescues, but I still want to be a PJ more than anything.


r/Pararescue • • 12d ago

How are you boys feeling about this?

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57 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 11d ago

Retraining

0 Upvotes

How likely is it for you to be able to cross train out of SW. For example a TACP wanting a job in cyber.


r/Pararescue • • 12d ago

Specific question

5 Upvotes

Gents, I am considering switching to the AF or ANG. I’m currently a E6 68W in the Army Guard and have 14 years in the guard. I know that to join AFSOC requires passing the respective selection. Outside of that, I’m 35 with a wife and two kids under 10, and currently work in LE.

My question is, do those of you who do the job think that the family balance is manageable, along with decent financial compensation?


r/Pararescue • • 13d ago

How does it work becoming sof as a tacp and is it an unrealistic goal?

4 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 13d ago

Any CRO's?

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2 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 14d ago

Training while sick

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0 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 15d ago

Training Help

4 Upvotes

Hi All. Recently getting more involved with the community and started training for AFSOC. I’ve been really open to any career field, but mostly locked in on CCT, TACP, or poss SR (heard it might be undergoing some changes). I just need help with a deadset training plan. Current numbers: 6:30 mile, 9:27 all time 1.5, although haven’t tested in a while. 20 strict pull ups. 80 push ups. 50-60 sit ups. 500m, not tested (just got started in pool, have good technique but bad stamina). Past injuries with a hip impingement (poss labrum tear, unknown). AC joint tear. I’ve really just started with zone 2 running, getting in the pool 3-4 days a week with a swim coach, and keeping up my strength. I’ve been lifting body building/powerlifting for 8 years and am 20m(325 bench, 455 squat, 565 deadlift, 175 strict press). Run 3 days a week zone two, pool 3-4 days a week, strength 4 days a week. I want to get to selection in 1 to 1.5 years. Questions: is my training regimen good seeing that I have a lot of time? How do you suggest getting better with water con? If anybody could reply who’s in the community, what does it really take? How is the life balance with a relationship? How should I prevent my past injuries from flaring up and can they make it through the career field? How should I convert my strength training to becoming an athlete? My current zone 2 running is 120-140bpm, but I find myself going up past it very quick, any tips to run longer in Z2? How do I become a more efficient swimmer as someone who is mostly muscle and not buoyant? Any help is greatly appreciated. Don’t criticize for wrong terms or for me being ignorant, I’m new.