How To Become an Air Force Special Reconnaissance Airman

Becoming an Air Force’s Special Reconnaissance Airman (SR) is a challenging but rewarding journey. This article will guide you through what a Specia Reconnaissance Operator is, what they do, the steps to becoming an SR operator, and an overview of the rigorous training pipeline.

What Is A Special Reconnaissance Airman?

Special Reconnaissance, formerly known as Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT), is a specialized career field in the United States Air Force. SR operators are trained to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance in hostile environments to gather intelligence for air, ground, and sea operations.

Special Reconnaissance (SR) Job Responsibilities

• Personnel Recovery and Medical Aid: SRs support combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions by conducting advanced reconnaissance to facilitate the recovery of distressed personnel from austere environments. They gather crucial environmental intelligence to aid PJs in providing life-saving medical treatment in the field.
• Intelligence Gathering and Surveillance Operations: SRs lead operations to gather critical intelligence and conduct surveillance in hostile territories, using advanced navigation and technical skills in challenging conditions.
• Environmental Reconnaissance: They specialize in collecting vital meteorological and oceanographic data, supporting mission planning and execution, particularly for air operations in unpredictable environments.
• Technical Reconnaissance Expertise: SRs possess advanced technical skills essential for a wide range of reconnaissance scenarios, including remote, mountainous, or maritime environments.

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

• Mountain Reconnaissance: Equipped with skills for navigation and survival in alpine conditions.
• Parachuting: Proficient in both static-line and free-fall parachuting techniques, enabling rapid deployment to operational areas.
• Combat Diving: Trained in combat diving operations, facilitating missions in maritime settings.
• Defensive and Tactical Skills: While their primary task is not direct combat engagement, SRs are fully qualified in defensive techniques and small arms, prepared to ensure the safety of their team and the success of their missions.

Their diverse skills and adaptability make SRs pivotal in the Air Force’s ability to conduct sophisticated reconnaissance missions and provide critical intelligence for a wide range of military operations.

What Does an Air Force Special Recon Operator Do?

Air Force Special Reconnaissance (SR) Airmen play a crucial role in intelligence gathering and environmental reconnaissance missions. They conduct operations in hostile or otherwise inaccessible areas, providing critical intelligence and reconnaissance to support military operations.

Additionally, a small number of SR Airmen are embedded in Special Tactics Squadrons and will partner with other elite units such as the Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and the 75th Ranger Regiment, leveraging their unique skills in environmental data collection and advanced surveillance.

Air Force SR Team Structure

Air Force SR Airmen are primarily assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons (STS), where they play a crucial role in reconnaissance and surveillance operations. Here’s an overview of the squadrons and locations where SR Airmen serve:

What Is a Special Tactics Squadron (RQS)

Special Tactics Squadrons are elite Air Force units comprising various special operations personnel, including Special Reconnaissance Airmen (SRs), Combat Controllers (CCTs), Tactical Air Control Party Specialists (TACPs), and Pararescuemen (PJs). Unlike rescue squadrons that primarily focus on search and rescue, STS units are combat-oriented with a diverse set of capabilities:

• Special Reconnaissance (SR): SR Airmen in STS units conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations, gathering critical intelligence in hostile or inaccessible environments. Their role includes environmental reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and advanced meteorological and oceanographic forecasting to support air, ground, and naval operations.
• Combat Control (CCT): CCTs are responsible for air traffic control in austere environments, ensuring safe and effective air support in combat zones.
• Tactical Air Control Party (TACP): TACPs provide close air support coordination and are experts in directing air strikes and artillery fire.
• Pararescue (PJ): PJs specialize in personnel recovery and medical rescue in combat and non-combat situations.

There are 10 STS units globally, including the prestigious 24th Special Tactics Squadron, a Special Missions Unit under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). This unit is known for its involvement in high-profile, high-stakes operations and often collaborates with other U.S. Special Operations forces. The diverse skill sets of SRs, CCTs, TACPs, and PJs in these squadrons make them a versatile and indispensable component of the U.S. military’s special operations capabilities.

How To Become a Special Reconnaissance Airman

1. Civilian to Active Duty or National Guard Enlisted

Civilians who want to do special reconnaissance 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 SR 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 an SR Airman.
• National Guard Contract: Enlist directly with a Special Recon 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 Special Tactics Officers

• Commissioning Programs: Civilians can become Special Tactics 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 Special Reconnaissance

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 Special Recon

For those interested in pursuing a career in Special Reconnaissance in the Air National Guard, there are specific units that include SRs. Here is a list of Air National Guard units that have SR positions.

Contact Information for Air National Guard:

I’ve provided links for direct contact. Bear in mind that you must achieve competitive scores and successfully complete an enhanced version of the Initial Flight Training (IFT). Also, Guard units have a special selection process before you receive a contract. SR is a small career field, so some many not have openings.

Medical Standards for Special Reconnaissance

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 SR 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 Special Reconnaissance

As you clear the medical process, you must be training hard. To earn a SWOE-V contract to become a SR, 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.

This table shows the top 25% and 5% of PJ performers. Today, all AFSW candidates enlist under a SWOE-V contract.

Air Force SR Attrition Rate at A&S

The attrition rates for SRs vary from class to class, but historically the attrition rates for SOWT were 25% or under. The main driver of attrition is water confidence.

Special Reconnaissance Training Pipeline

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

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 the 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. Special Reconnaissance Apprentice Course: 20 weeks at Pope Army Airfield, NC. Five months as an apprentice learning to apply their training in the real world.
10. Special Tactics Training: 24 weeks at Hurlburt Field, FL. Includes advanced weapons and demolition training, all-terrain vehicle operations and core skills instruction.

Conclusion

Becoming an Air Force Special Reconnaissance Operator 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.