Air Force PJ's (3)

[Uncle Sam]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/527_1085523841_afpjwheeler.jpg

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/527_1085523826_afpjtalk.jpg

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/527_1085523946_pjkneel.jpg

[scm77]

rofl rofl rofl I thought this was gonna be about pyjamas. :cantbeli:

[Seraphim]

rofl rofl rofl I thought this was gonna be about pyjamas. :cantbeli:

PJ are pararescue jumpers.

[Sierra]

rofl rofl rofl I thought this was gonna be about pyjamas. :cantbeli:me too rofl

but when I opened it I was like oHHHHH! para jumpers :cantbeli:

[flickme]

Great pics. I love PJ.

[Seraphim]

Great pics. I love PJ.

Yeah I love bj's too.

[Apogee]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/527_1085523946_pjkneel.jpg

Love the spiderman paint scheme

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

PJs are hardcore motherf*ckers. Simple as that.

[flickme]

If i dont go in the army then my second choice is air force PJ. Theyre just so vercitile.

[Operation Ivy]

man i want an ATV :(

[ZeroPositive]

got to love the quad, ride into battle in style.

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

I want to go for PJs, but my eyes are ****ty so I have to get prk first..which will take up to a year for the waiver :( Howver, on the bright side it will give me plenty of time to get very fit for the demands of the training.

[NcDeuce]

I want to go for PJs, but my eyes are ****ty so I have to get prk first..which will take up to a year for the waiver :( Howver, on the bright side it will give me plenty of time to get very fit for the demands of the training.

Wouldn't you have to change your user name to Hooyah? :lol:

[admar2]

If i dont go in the army then my second choice is air force PJ. Theyre just so vercitile.

you'll be stuck with the Army, AF wouldn't accept anyone that can't spell VERSATILE.

rofl


j/k

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

I want to go for PJs, but my eyes are ****ty so I have to get prk first..which will take up to a year for the waiver :( Howver, on the bright side it will give me plenty of time to get very fit for the demands of the training.

Wouldn't you have to change your user name to Hooyah? :lol:

My name is hooah in support of my buddy in the Army. But, yes that would make sense to do that :lol:

[budanski]

got to love the quad, ride into battle in style.

Check mine out. ;)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6605/atv_specialforces.jpg

[Scottie]

Just a quick summary


PARARESCUE MISSION


Regardless of their command, the primary mission of Pararescuemen is to provide rescue, recovery, medical treatment and evacuation in any environment at any time, day or night. PJ's deploy by air, land, or sea into forward, non-permissive environments. They may act as aircrew gunners and scanners on both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. They participate in search and rescue (SAR) and Combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions and perform other mission as appropriate.

EMPLOYMENT METHODS

Parachute operations:


Static Line Parachute operations
With combat equipment
With SCUBA equipment
Into forested areas
Into bodies of water
High Altitude Low Opening (Military Freefall)
With combat equipment
With Oxygen
Into Bodies of Water
High Altitude High Opening (HAHO)
With Combat equipment
With Oxygen
Waterborne Operations:

SCUBA/Dregger (Rebreather)
Aircraft boat drops
Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC)
Scout (surface) swimming
Mountain Operations:

Rock/Ice climbing
Repelling/Ascending
High/low angle evacuation
Horizontal evacuations
Helicopter Operations:

Repelling
Fast Rope
Rope Ladder
Hoist operations (with litter or forest penetrator)
Gunner/scanner operations
Helo cast
Overland Movement:

Motorcycles
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's)
Rescue All Terrain Transport (RATT)
Motor Vehicle
Team navigation
Arctic Operations:

Cross country skiing
Downhill skiing
Snowmobiles
Snowshoes
Arctic sleds
Crevasse operations
INCENTIVES:



Education - By completing Pararescue training, you earn college credits with the Community College of the Air Force. Currently, technical and upgrade training is worth over 35 semester hours towards an Associates Degree in Applied Science.


Travel - PJ's travel extensively in support of the Air Force global missions. You will support sister service components, allied forces, humanitarian relief efforts and other commitments.


Additional Pays - You receive 3 of the following pays (Based on your rank it may be better to receive flight pay rather than parachute pay)
SCUBA/Dive pay: $150.00 per month
Flight pay: $110.00 - $200.00 per month
Parachutist pay: $110.00 - $165.00 per month (When HALO qualified the pay is $225.00 per month)
Special Duty Incentive Pay (SDIP): $55.00 - $165.00 (based on skill level and time in skill level)
DUTY LOCATIONS:

Active duty:

Hurlburt Field, FL
Moody AFB, GA
Holloman AFB, NM
Nellis AFB, NV
Kirtland AFB, NM
Lackland AFB, TX
Pope AFB, NC
McCord AFB, WA
Kadena AB, Okinawa
Keflavik Air Station, Iceland
RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
Guard/Reserve:

Suffolk County, NY
Moffett Field, CA
Portland IAP, OR
Patrick AFB, FL
Kulis ANG, AK
THE TRAINING PIPELINE:

Pararescue training takes approximately 12-15 months to complete. It includes eight schools. You will probably get a chance to take vacation time at some point during training, but this cannot be guaranteed. Students travel from school to school as a class, with the ranking student in charge. Training consists of the following schools:

Pararescue and Combat Control Indoctrination course
US Army Airborne School
US Army Combat Divers School
US Navy Underwater Egress Training
US Air Force Basic Survival School
US Army Military Freefall Parachutist School
Special Operations Combat Medic Course
Pararescue Recovery Specialist Course
ELIGIBILITY:

Be a US citizen
Be a Volunteer
Be a male (based on current Department of Defense policies)
Have a general score of at least 43 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test
Be able to pass a Class III flight physical
Have vision of best eye 20/70, worst eye 20/100; correctable to 20/20. Normal Color Vision. No Radial Karatotomy.
Be able to obtain a secret security clearance
Meet specific physical fitness standards
Be a proficient swimmer
IS PARARESCUE FOR YOU?

By expressing an interest in Pararescue, you are taking a big step into a job with high demands, but strong rewards. Wearing the maroon beret is a distinction bestowed on very few men. It recognizes dedication to training and personal sacrifice. We demand the best from our force. Consider the following when making the decision:



Analyze why you want to be a PJ. If you are in it for the challenge and fast-paced life style you will probably be successful, if you want prestige and money...GO AWAY!


Understand that the mission comes first...necessitating personal sacrifice and discipline.


Adaptability and flexibility are important...you must be capable and willing to adapt to diverse mission requirements, environments, and working hours. Change and crisis management are part of the job.


Physical fitness is crucial. Be consistent and dedicated in your training program.


You must be comfortable living outdoors. A great deal of work is done in the field.


You must become a team member and work well with your teammates. Your team is your life's blood...they could mean the difference between life and death during both training and operational missions.

QUALITY FIRST IS THE MOTTO AT THE INDOCTRINATION COURSE.

[n4292936]

I read a RAND report a while back about minority participation in Special Forces and was amazed to find that PJ hae the highest attrition rates of any SF gorup in America, higher than SEALS Army SF, Rangers and Force Recon - though Delta's attrition rates were not mentioned. The stated rate was that 90% of all people fail - which is roughly on par if not more than the British SAS and Delta are reported to suffer. Its a pretty hardcore training regime.
The report itself is really informative. There's a link to it on the www.AusSpecialForces.com site on the "selection" page towards the bottom.

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

I read a RAND report a while back about minority participation in Special Forces and was amazed to find that PJ hae the highest attrition rates of any SF gorup in America, higher than SEALS Army SF, Rangers and Force Recon - though Delta's attrition rates were not mentioned. The stated rate was that 90% of all people fail - which is roughly on par if not more than the British SAS and Delta are reported to suffer. Its a pretty hardcore training regime.
The report itself is really informative. There's a link to it on the www.AusSpecialForces.com site on the "selection" page towards the bottom.

I have not heard 90%, i've heard it often (but not always) reaches 80% which is higher than BUD/s. I would consider being a PJ a very prestigious career. When I started really learning what they do, and speaking to a friend of a friend's brother whom has been a PJ for 10 years, and served in Astan, I was totaly amazed what these guys are all capable of. I have to wait for my shot at being a pararescueman, but this is what I want to do for sure, and I consider it worth the wait. Being able to save your own guys lives when they are trapped and wounded behind enemy lines is simply amazing to me. During the raid in Somalia, PJ Tim Wilkinson cross an intersection under intense, withering fire 3 times to get IV bags for the wounded. Even the delta operators present were amazed at his bravery in that situation.

[flickme]

you'll be stuck with the Army, AF wouldn't accept anyone that can't spell VERSATILE.

rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl




Shut the hell up!!!!




jk

[pipaz]

you guys are goofy, hell talk about pijamas i mean bj's or no wait i mean PJ's

[CRAZY MERC]

Something I would always wanted to do.

[Scrim]

I read a RAND report a while back about minority participation in Special Forces and was amazed to find that PJ hae the highest attrition rates of any SF gorup in America, higher than SEALS Army SF, Rangers and Force Recon - though Delta's attrition rates were not mentioned. The stated rate was that 90% of all people fail - which is roughly on par if not more than the British SAS and Delta are reported to suffer. Its a pretty hardcore training regime.
The report itself is really informative. There's a link to it on the www.AusSpecialForces.com site on the "selection" page towards the bottom.

Im certainly not knocking the PJs and am in no way saying it isnt extremely difficult. But just take a minute to think about the initial candidates. Your taking mostly Airmen with no Infantry type experience at all, and putting them into this extremely hard training environment. Compared with Army, Marine, SAS, whatever candidates, who all have at least a few years Infantry type experience before they even start selection, so its not really surprising that the PJ course has such a high attrition rate. Just a thought, what do you guys think?

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

I agree that has something to do with it. Although, if you go into the Air Force with PJs in your contract, after the 2 weeks of basic you work out with the Pjs and "shadow" guys whom are much further up the training pipeline to get you ready for the indoc. I think a lot of guys have the mentaility of "it's the Air Force, how hard can it possibly be?" Then they get to indoc and realize that they are not physically prepared for the demands of the training and wash out. Air Force basic is NOT enough to prepare you physically for the demands of the indoc. I think this falls under the seven P's rule: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Painfully Poor Performance.

[ZeroPositive]

got to love the quad, ride into battle in style.

Check mine out. ;)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6605/atv_specialforces.jpg

Zero Saves the picture :D

[AFACadet]

I'd say that's a very small part of it. The SEALs and Rangers and the like who go through the training also say its extremely difficult.

The initial tryouts weeds out those who are unable to do it. Those who make it past the initial tryouts and are selected for PJ training are qualified. If they finish or not is mainly up to them.

I think it also says a lot when the PJs win most of the excercises when placed against other groups like the SEALs, even combat related ones.

Most people don't hear much about the PJs, and they also know they are in the Air Force, so they automatically discount them as a "weaker" or less capable group. In fact, the opposite is true.

What makes PJ training so tough is that they must do the things all the other spec ops groups do (air, land, sea), while still preforming it to the same level as those other groups.

[Aussie E]

None Braver by Micheal Hirsch, is a great book on the PJ's in Afghanistan. Some of the bravest soldiers in the American military. The group that parachuted in to help Sgt. Andrew Russel of the SASR in a minefeild must have had balls of steel. Even though Sgt. Russel didn't make it, the Australians were greatful of the effort the PJ's made. Good read for anyone wanting to see the modern role of the PJ's.

[Lt_Crooks]

Since we are on the topic of air force SF can someone give me a link to some info on AF combat controller or terminal attack controllers or if you have some info to give. THANKS :D

[flickme]

None Braver by Micheal Hirsch, is a great book on the PJ's in Afghanistan. Some of the bravest soldiers in the American military. The group that parachuted in to help Sgt. Andrew Russel of the SASR in a minefeild must have had balls of steel. Even though Sgt. Russel didn't make it, the Australians were greatful of the effort the PJ's made. Good read for anyone wanting to see the modern role of the PJ's.

I might have to get that off amazon. My dad was in the AF for 20 yrs doing CSAR and worked very closely with PJ. Ive allways looked up to them and i am interested in the feild. Correct me if im wrong but didnt the officer ranks just become available for the PJs last year?

[haze99]

Yes, the USAF created the CRO (PJ Officer) careerfield in 2002. A number of them are prior PJ NCO's.
Lt_Crooks you can go to www.usafcct.com or to www.romad.com for that information. (two seperate occupations, though)
Air Force Specailty Code for PJ, 1T2.
CCT 1C2
TACP 1C4

*NOTE!
ETAC's are TACP, usually Senior Airmen (E-4) and above, who have attended JFC at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Must complete post-JFC check ride and then approved for ETAC status. ETAC has the approving authority to clear delivery of ordnance from aircraft. (No ALO needed!)

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

I'd say that's a very small part of it. The SEALs and Rangers and the like who go through the training also say its extremely difficult.

The initial tryouts weeds out those who are unable to do it. Those who make it past the initial tryouts and are selected for PJ training are qualified. If they finish or not is mainly up to them.

I think it also says a lot when the PJs win most of the excercises when placed against other groups like the SEALs, even combat related ones.

Most people don't hear much about the PJs, and they also know they are in the Air Force, so they automatically discount them as a "weaker" or less capable group. In fact, the opposite is true.

What makes PJ training so tough is that they must do the things all the other spec ops groups do (air, land, sea), while still preforming it to the same level as those other groups.

Well said! PJs have to have a very potent combat skill set on par or even better as with any specops unit. They often find themselves outnumbered, underfire to provide medical care and exfil for pilots, soldiers and sometimes even civilians and theymove in very small teams (5 I believe). Like you said, Air Force is seen as the "underdog" by most when compared to units like the SEALs and Special Forces, when the opposite is true. These are all highly skilled operators, with a diffrent type mission (although I've heard when PJs team up with CCs in special tactics teams, they are a pretty potent bunch).

[impyRM03]

hey guys I'm curious if the Canadian forces have a PJ equivalent?

and there are a few books out on the PJs can anyone recommend one that goes into detail in how they guys get to where they are now?

[DE_Six]

hey guys I'm curious if the Canadian forces have a PJ equivalent?

and there are a few books out on the PJs can anyone recommend one that goes into detail in how they guys get to where they are now?

Canada has SAR-Techs (Search and Rescue Technician). They do not perform CSAR, though, only peacetime SAR. So they get alot of parachute training, survival, water-jumps, but they don't get to shoot stuff p-)

It's nonetheless very tough to become SAR Tech. Few positions are available and the selection is very demanding, probably the toughest in the CF along with JTF2 and clearance diver.

[impyRM03]

who do the CF rely on for CSAR then? JTF2?

[EvanL]

who do the CF rely on for CSAR then? JTF2?
I would assume so. I dont think we have an official plan for that.

[Khabbi]

"Have a general score of at least 43 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test "

Isnt that pretty low ?

[YankeeDeVallecas]

Yeah...but it's relative. Most jobs have requirments lower than that. It's trying to ensure that guys applying have at least somewhat of a measure of intelligence. They don't want to set it to high because what if a super intelligent dude just can't test well? If he's not cut out to be a PJ or CCT they will eliminate him before he leaves Lackland.

I remember when I went through AF Basic the PJ/CCT squadron would run EVERYWHERE and they would always carry either a log or a huge chain or rope. I also remember about 4 guys from my flight went to the try outs (week 2 I believe) when the school briefs the recruits about the job. 3 didn't even make the try outs for the try out course at Lackland. I remember one guy telling us how he freaked out when they were having to tread water with their legs tied up and the instructors would jump on their backs and take them to the bottom of the pool. Apparently he couldn't handle that....can't figure out why. :lol: