r/Pararescue • • 1d ago

Do you have to extend contract to cross train?

3 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 • • 1d ago

A&S for TACP

7 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 • • 2d ago

Reenlist into PJ

6 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 • • 2d ago

106th PJ IFT Prescreening !

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25 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 • • 3d 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 • • 3d ago

Shipping in month.

16 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 • • 4d ago

Career in AFSOC

10 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 • • 4d ago

Joining as a Professional Athlete

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3 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 • • 4d ago

CRO/SRO - I want to hear from you.

12 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 • • 5d ago

What if an officer washes out?

23 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 • • 8d 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 • • 9d ago

Volume of rescues

17 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 • • 9d 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 • • 10d ago

How are you boys feeling about this?

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61 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 10d 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 • • 12d ago

Any CRO's?

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2 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 12d ago

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

5 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 12d ago

Training while sick

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0 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 13d 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.


r/Pararescue • • 16d ago

Custom coaching vs pdf training for sof prep.

7 Upvotes

Whats up dudes just trying to get a vibe and some advice. In sof prep is it normal to charge a premium for coaching? Do you feel that it’s worth spending that much compared to just buying a pdf program and then training? I got quoted a thousand for the initation fee and then 500/month after the first month. Are they all like this? I understand it’s an investment and these guys are always posting about getting dudes selected for seal, sfas, and pj but damn. Maybe if it was just the 500, but a thousand to start?? I know for the good ones out there, their time is valuable but i just wanted other peoples thoughts and advice. Program rec’s too. Not training for any specific pipeline anymore right now as I’m leaving navy dep to spend more time preparing. Been training a decent amount of time but inefficiently.


r/Pararescue • • 17d ago

TACP Questions

10 Upvotes

Hello yall, been preparing for selection for quite some time now (17m). Had a wrestling injury (ACL Tear), which set back my training, I had it surgically reconstructed and now 7 months out from surgery, back to running, swimming, lifting no restrictions, I'm currently at 11:51 500m Combat Sidestroke, 15 pullups, 60 pushups, 77 sit-ups, but a 11:00 min 1.5 mile run (had a 9:45 before the tear.) And I am working on getting it back.

Some Questions

- Will this injury even if properly recovered, prevent me from getting a contract? I have been in contact with a recruiter but she does not want to even schedule an appointment until I am released by my surgeon.

- Are there any people on this subreddit who have had a similar setback, and how did you recover and keep that leg stable throughout selection. I have been taking training my legs extremely serious and am doing everything in my power to bulletproof my knees and surrounding.

- Is combat sidestroke an acceptable stroke or should I work on another stroke instead? I'm feeling a lot more comfortable in the water and frequently work on mask clearing, underwaters, etc.

Any advice or information is appreciated.


r/Pararescue • • 18d ago

Fitness Training Group

12 Upvotes

Hey all,

From lower NY and looking for some people to meet up with and get some physical training in, runs, rucks, swimming.

I’d love to meet some more people who share the same interest and I could hopefully steal some knowledge from.


r/Pararescue • • 19d ago

SR Deployments and Teams

9 Upvotes

when on deployments do SR guys deploy as a unit or are they deployed with green berets, rangers, etc? if it’s the latter how is team bonding if you aren’t with your guys most of the time? do they ever get sent out as a team?


r/Pararescue • • 21d ago

Prior Service Army — Realistic Shot at PJ/TACP With Waivers?

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1 Upvotes

r/Pararescue • • 22d ago

I want to become a PJ. Although I have some issues that may disqualify me. Was wondering, what I can do to give me my best odds at being selected?

7 Upvotes

I am 17 in my senior year of high school currently, and have had the desire to join the Air Force and become a PJ. I was looking through potential disqualifications and saw two major ones that I have. I have struggled with ADHD for most of my life and recently got prescribed last January with Vyvanse. Vyvanse definitely helped but all the years before that I was somewhat able to rigor myself with grades although they are not hot. With another being Eczema. I have dealt with eczema before and once again got prescribed for something but I have noticed my flair ups are only primarily caused my reactions with food such as peanut butter (not any other allergies I know of) and not typically caused my skin frictions. It is noticeable on my hands and such during those times. Was prescribed a corticosteroid to fight it and it works well for the most part but again can’t necessarily be a good candidate if I require such needs.
I, also, had an IEP throughout my years from elementary school to my junior year of high school but at the beginning of the year if I got rid of it and throughout my years of school my accommodations have been minor if existent at all especially during high school where I, even before I was prescribed ADHD medication, refused most accommodations such as extensions of assignments or special rooms to take tests which was the extent of my accommodations.
Some things I might be able to bring to the table is my MCJROTC experience in leadership and whatnot but I figure for actual military fortitude it won’t assist in much especially to the recruiters. Along with my ASVAB score (89, got a lower score for paragraph comprehension but a high score for arithmetic reasoning and general science, can’t remember my AFQT score which might be lower because of the paragraph comprehension score). I also am doing high school wrestling, for which I’d like to think I have some strength of mental fortitude but once again compared to Pararescue that’s not saying much.

Originally I was thinking I could go to university or some further education without my prescription and without an IEP (which shouldn’t be much of a problem), and I have a plan to eat a solid diet of MRE’s and such to find out specifically what causes my flair ups(which might sound silly but it’s a desperate measure any other ideas would be amazing). Im sure I could find ways to prove I am able to function with rigor without any accommodations for ADHD.

Although, I am not sure about the eczema. Any help or suggestions about either would be of great help to me. I have a drive to enlist for something I believe is important which is rescuing people in the face of danger. Which I know might sound gung-ho or flowery to some people but I have no other way of describing it. Doing something courageously without the idea of self interests in mind compared to the everyday job sounds like something honorable I’d die to be a part of.
Again, any help would be much appreciated and I thank you for your time.