How To Become an Air Force Pararescue Jumper (PJ)

Becoming an Air Force Pararescue Jumper (PJ) is no easy task. In this article, I will outline everything you need to know including what an Air Force PJ is, what they do, how to become one, and then walk you through the training pipeline.

What Is An Air Force Pararescue Jumper (PJ)?

Air Force Pararescue Jumpers (PJs) are elite operators serving under Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). These highly trained personnel are experts in personnel recovery and emergency medical response, often in hostile and inaccessible areas.

Air Force Pararescue Job Responsibilities

• Personnel Recovery and Medical Aid: PJs execute the core mission of combat search and rescue (CSAR) to recover distressed personnel from austere environments. They are equipped to provide life-saving medical treatment in the field.
• Search and Rescue Operations: PJs lead operations to locate and recover missing, isolated, or injured personnel, employing advanced navigation and survival skills in challenging conditions.
• Disaster Response: They are trained to respond to natural and man-made disasters, providing critical assistance in crisis situations, and often coordinating with international relief organizations.
• Technical Rescue Expertise: PJs possess technical rescue skills for a wide range of scenarios, including mountainous, underwater, and collapsed structures.

PJs are prepared to operate in diverse environments, such as:

• Mountain Rescue: Equipped for high-angle rescue and survival in alpine conditions.
• Parachuting: Proficient in both static-line and free-fall parachuting techniques, enabling them to deploy rapidly to remote locations.
• Scuba Diving: Certified for combat diving, facilitating operations in maritime settings.
• Medical Proficiency: Trained in tactical combat casualty care and advanced medical procedures to stabilize and evacuate injured personnel.

Though their principal task is not engaging in direct combat, PJs are fully qualified in defense techniques and small arms, ready to protect their team and the individuals they rescue. Their commitment is pivotal to the Air Force’s ability to conduct missions where saving lives is the priority.

What Does an Air Force PJ Do?

Air Force PJs play a critical role in personnel recovery and medical response missions. They conduct rescue operations in hostile or otherwise unreachable areas, providing critical medical stabilization and extrication to injured service members.

Additionally, a small number of PJs are embedded to Special Tactics Squadrons and will partner with other elite units such as the Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and the 75th Ranger Regiment

Air Force PJ Team Structure

Air Force PJs serve in both Rescue Squadrons (RQS) and Special Tactics Squadrons (STS).

Here are the squadrons that have serving PJs.

What Is a Special Tactics Squadron (RQS)

Special Tactics Squadrons include PJs and other Air Force special operations personnel including Combat Controllers (CCTs), Tactical Air Control Party Specialists (TACPs), and Special Reconnaissance Airmen (SRs). Unlike rescue squadrons, they are combat-focused with specialities in air traffic control in austere environments, direct action, reconnaissance, and personnel recovery.

There are 10 STS units globally including the elite 24th Special Tactics Squadron, which is a Special Missions Unit under Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

What Is A Rescue Squadron (RQS)

Rescue squadrons are responsible for personnel recovery in humanitarian and combat missions. They primarily consist of Pararescuemen and other support personnel. These squadrons are equipped and trained to provide immediate response and medical assistance in various emergency scenarios.

Most PJs are assigned to Rescue Squadrons.

STS vs RQS: What is the Difference?

• Mission Focus: STS units are combat-oriented, trained for direct action, air traffic control in austere environments, reconnaissance, and tactical personnel recovery. In contrast, RQS units are specialized in personnel recovery and medical aid in both humanitarian and combat situations.
• Personnel Composition: STS units are diverse, including CCTs, PJs, TACPs, and SRs, each with their unique skill sets. RQS units are predominantly made up of PJs, focused on search and rescue and emergency medical services.
• Operational Scope: STS units are often involved in a broader range of military operations under AFSOC and JSOC, while RQS units are more focused on search and rescue missions.
• Global Deployment: Both STS and RQS units are deployed globally, but STS units are more frequently involved in joint operations with other special forces under high-threat conditions.

How To Become an Air Force PJ

1. Civilian to Active Duty or National Guard Enlisted

Civilians seeking to become Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) have the option of enlisting through Active Duty or the National Guard. Check out here for more details on contacting Air National Guard units.

• Eligibility: Civilians can enlist in the Air Force for Active Duty or contact a Special Tactics Squadron in the National Guard to inquire about PJ opportunities.
• Age Requirements: Candidates are typically required to be between 17-39 years old.
• Educational Requirements: A high school diploma or GED is necessary. Those with a GED may require a waiver.
• ASVAB: Aspiring PJs must pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
• Physical Fitness: Candidates need to pass the Initial Fitness Test (IFT), which includes a timed 1.5-mile run, 500m swim, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and 25m underwater swims.
• Active Duty Contract: Enlist through the Special Warfare Open Enlistment (SWOE) program, which offers a pathway to becoming a PJ.
• National Guard Contract: Enlist directly with a Pararescue contract role after passing the National Guard’s selection process and securing a position with a National Guard unit.

2. Civilian to Active Duty or National Guard Combat Rescue Officers

• Commissioning Programs: Civilians can become Combat Rescue Officers through the Air Force Academy, ROTC, or Officer Training School (OTS).
• Age and Education: Age limits and educational requirements vary by commissioning source, but all officer candidates must have a 4-year degree

3. Active Duty Crosstraining to Pararescue

Any Airmen that meets cross-training and eligibility requirements can crosstrain into Special Warfare operator or support career fields.

The memo also states that First Term Airmen may retrain as early as the 24th month of their current enlistment.

1. MyPERS: Visit MyPERS and select ‘Apply for Retraining’. Check the ‘Online myPers Retraining Advisory and Retraining Advisory Notes’ for available slots. Be aware that Special Warfare slot listings may not always be up-to-date.
2. Enlisted Classification Directory (ECD): Review retraining requirements for your desired career field in the ECD and ECD Attachment 4. Pay attention to ASVAB scores, Time In Service, Rank limits, etc. Access the ECD through a search on the AF portal.
3. Required Documents:
   • Recommendation letter from Commanding Officer (CC)
   • Special Warfare Medical Physical
   • Completed PAST Test
   • Form 125a, if previously attended Indoc or A&S and did not complete. Request Form 125a via email from [email protected]

4. Prior Service to Air National Guard PJ

For those interested in pursuing a career as a Pararescueman (PJ) in the Air National Guard, there are specific units that include PJs. Here is a list of Air National Guard units that have Pararescue positions.

Contact Information for Air National Guard:

I have included links, so you can contact them. Keep in mind, that competitive scores are required and you will have to take an enhanced version of the IFT and pass a selection with the unit prior to earning a contract. Slots may not be available.

Medical Standards for Combat Controllers

To join the Air Force, you must pass a rigorous medical screening through MEPs.

Common disqualifications include asthma, poor vision, antidepressants or ADHD medication. While in prior years enlistees could “forget” their prior medical history and still join, the new MHS Genesis system scans private medical records.

You can read a common list of disqualifications here.

• Initial Screening: Candidates undergo a detailed medical examination as part of the enlistment process.
• Vision Requirements: Vision standards for CCT candidates are stringent. While corrective surgery may be permissible, there are specific guidelines regarding visual acuity and post-surgical outcomes.
• Hearing Standards: Candidates must have no significant hearing loss. Hearing ability is critical for air traffic control communication and operational effectiveness.
• Overall Health: General health is thoroughly assessed, including cardiovascular fitness, pulmonary function, and neurological health. Chronic or severe medical conditions can be disqualifying.

Physical Fitness Requirements For Combat Controllers

As you clear the medical process, you must be training hard. To earn a SWOE-V contract to become a PJ, you must pass the Initial Fitness Test (IFT).

While the IFT’s standards are low, Air Force and Assessment & Selection is very hard. You not only need to be just as fast and strong as Army Special Forces candidates, but you also need to be a great swimmer and treader and be confident in the water.

For this reason, I generally recommend my clients join the Army over the Air Force, unless they’re already proficient in swimming.

Initial Fitness Test (IFT) Requirements

• Pull Up – 8 reps
• Sit Up – 50 reps
• Push Up – 50 reps
• 1.5-mile Run in 10:30 or less
• 25-meter Underwater Swim for 2 rounds (Pass/Fail)
• 500-meter Swim in 12:30 or less

Competitive IFT Scores

To increase their chances of success at Air Force Assessment and Selection, candidates should aim to far exceed the minimum IFT requirements.

Competitive IFT Scores:

• Pull Up – 15 reps
• Sit Up – 70 reps
• Push Up – 70 reps
• 1.5-mile Run in 9:15 or less
• 25-meter Underwater Swim for 2 rounds (Pass/Fail)
• 500-meter Swim in 9:30 or less

One of the most overlooked aspects of training for special operations is strength training. Even though it is not tested on the IFT, I recommend my candidates hit the following strength standards prior to enlisting

Strength Standards:

• Back Squat – 275lbs
• Deadlift – 335lbs
• Standing OHP – 135lbs

How Hard is Air Force Assessment & Selection?

Research comparing various special operations forces pipelines showed that Air Force Special Warfare (PJ, CCT, SR) candidates often have higher physical fitness levels in swimming and running compared to their counterparts in other branches. This debunks one of the many myths about Air Force special operations.

Air Force PJ Attrition Rate at A&S

The attrition rates for PJs vary from class to class, but historically the attrition rates historically are under 20%. The main driver of attrition is water confidence.

PJ Training Pipeline

In total, it will be well over 2 years of training to become a qualified Air Force PJ.

1. Basic Military Training (BMT): 7.5 weeks at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Recruits learn military structure and the core values of the U.S. Air Force.
2. Special Warfare Candidate Course (SWCC): Seven weeks at Lackland AFB, Texas to prepare for A&S.
3. Special Warfare Assessment and Selection Course: Four weeks of grueling training at Lackland AFB, Texas to determine who will have the chance to become a PJ.
4. Special Warfare Pre-Dive Course: Four weeks at Lackland AFB, Texas in preparation for the Combat Dive Course.
5. Special Warfare Combat Dive Course: Five weeks in Panama City, Florida. This phase includes extensive combat dive training.
6. Airborne School: Five weeks at Fort Benning, Georgia. Candidates learn basic parachuting and prepare for static line jump operations.
7. Military Free-Fall Course: Four weeks in Yuma, Arizona, and Jamul, California. This course improves skydiving skills acquired at Airborne School.
8. SERE Training: Three weeks at Fairchild AFB, Washington. Special Warfare Airmen receive training in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE).
9. Modernized Pararescue Provider Program (MP3): 39 weeks at Lackland AFB, Texas. This program trains candidates to become Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics, including training in aeromedical/dive physiology, casualty evacuation, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
10. Pararescue Apprentice Course: 22 weeks at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. Here, PJs learn to apply their training under pressure and acquire fundamental combat skills

Conclusion

Becoming an Air Force PJ is a challenging but rewarding path. Best of luck on your journey.

If you enjoyed this article, check out this article on the TRUTH about Air Forces Assessment and Selection.