Ever thought about getting little more out of your Air Force career? Or have you ever thought about risking your life to save another? Or going behind enemy lines before anyone else to set on a drop zone / air field and help call in fire support to troops who need it? These are just some of the missions of the Air Force Special Tactics- the PJs, or pararescue, and CCT or Combat Control Technician. The PJs are responsible for providing emergency and life-saving services to airmen, soldiers and civilians in both peacetime and combat environments. When a plane goes down in the jungle or ocean, it is the PJs who are there to find and save the pilots and crew. Pararescuemen truly live up to their motto, "That Others May Live."

The United States Air Force has evolved significantly in the last two decades to fill a need with Special Operations on the ground in combat areas as well as other harsh environments and weather conditions around the world.  As technology evolves so does the training.  As the enemy evolves so do the Special Operations Community as well as the conventional forces of our military.  The Air Force is in a unique position, with special operations boots-on-the-ground forces supported by multi-million- to billion-dollar air assets, to deliver essentials to the combat threat. Having a force of elite airmen on the ground is essential to addressing future enemy threats on a global scale.  

The Air Force Special Ops world is changing.  Mostly, the changes are in name of the special ops personnel, but the process to recruit, prepare, and train these elite groups of airmen is also changing.  After Basic Military Training (BMT), you will attend the new Air Force Special Warfare Prep Course (formerly known as Battlefield Airman Prep Course).  However, before you ever leave for Basic, you will have some training and early preparation prior to departing BMT.  While in the Delayed Entry Program, a group of former Air Force Special Ops trainers and mentors will make sure you are meeting the standard before you depart for BMT. See the official site to find local trainers, mentors, and recruiters to help you prepare for Air Force Special Warfare jobs such as Pararescue, Combat Controller, Tactical Air Control Party, SERE, Special Recon (SR), and EOD.

Air Force Special Warfare Prep Course is for the formerly named “Battlefield Airmen” and is an eight-week course designed for BMT graduates who have selected the PJ, CCT, SR, or TACP career field. Its purpose is to assist in rebuilding an elevated physical level after BMT and adequately prepare these new Airmen for the following pipelines of Special Ops training.

You will learn to swim long before you arrive to the Prep Course – not only a fast PAST Test method, but also swimming with fins using the side stroke “Lead Arm / Trail Arm” Method. This is moving through the water, staying on your side only, kicking with Rocket or Jet type SCUBA fins.   Here are the minimum standards you must meet to qualify for the Air Force Special Warfare program that vary from Specialty Code (job):

Minimum Initial Fitness Test (IFT/PST) for Air Force Special Warfare and Navy Special Warfare (SEALS)

Here are the Prep Course Evaluation Standards you will meet throughout the Prep Course.

Pull Ups  10

Push Ups  55

Sit Ups 55

3 Mile Run 21:21

1000 meter fin (L.A.T.A.) 20:00 (Lead Arm / Trail Arm Side Stroke)

Yes, you will be called something different than “Battlefield Airmen”.  You will now be part of Air Force Special Warfare (AFSW).  This is very similar to other Special Operations Command names:  Naval Special Warfare, Army Special Warfare Center and School though they officially are Army Special Operations Command.

Training should not change even though the minimum standards have changed a few times in the past years. Still strive for competitive IFT scores as mentioned above, but also know that you will be tested in many pool skills, longer runs, and longer swims with fins.  There will be rucking and other load-bearing exercises involved in your training as well.  It goes back to the first two phases of tactical training in order to get TO the training by acing the IFT, but also giving yourself enough time preparing to get THROUGH the training prior to joining the Air Force. 

The CCTs are FAA-certified air traffic controllers and are responsible for conducting all types of missions behind enemy lines while setting airfields, calling in fire support while working jointly with Army SF, Navy SEALs, etc. The CCT motto is "First There" as they prep the air fields and drop zones for other troops to follow.

The PAST - Physical Ability and Stamina Test Now the Initial Fitness Test (IFT)

To become a PJ or CCT, you must be a proficient swimmer and meet the physical standards of the new IFT. This job is open only to enlisted troops. Here are the specific minimums to becoming a PJ and Combat Control tech but the numbers in the parentheses are recommended scores from Spec Ops trainers:

After BMT, you will attend Air Force Special Warfare Prep Course which will help you better prepare for the challenging selection programs in an effort to reduce attrition rates.  Once in the PJ Candidate Course, you will be challenged physically for ten weeks in Lackland AFB, Texas. The first phase is known as Team Training and is 8 weeks long. It consists of extensive physical training with swimming, running, weight training, calisthenics and obstacle courses. Educational training such as medical and diving terminology, CPR, weapons qualifications, and dive physics are also part of the Candidate Course.

After the Candidate Course there are two different professions with two different pipelines (but similar) to follow depending on if you want to be a PJ or CCT. Here is the PJ and CCT pipeline of training:

US Army Airborne School - 3 weeks
US Army Combat Divers School - 4 weeks
US Navy Underwater Egress Training - 1 day
US Air Force Basic Survival School - 2.5 weeks
US Army Free-fall Parachutist School - 5 weeks

PJ Pipeline Different Schools
Special Operations Combat Medic Course - 22 weeks
Pararescue Recovery Specialist Course - 20 weeks

CCT Pipeline Different Schools
Combat Control Orientation Course, Lackland AFB, Texas -10 days
Combat Control Operator Course - 15.5 weeks
Combat Control School - 12 weeks

For more info see the Official AF Site: AFPJ and CCT

Training is extremely challenging both physically and mentally, but if you graduate and wear the maroon beret (PJ) or the scarlet beret (CCT), you will be one of the most highly trained combat medics in the world, able to handle the most stressful situations with ease. Hats off to those who risk their lives to be the "First There" so "That Others May Live."

(New Updates for IFT and OFT)

Download the E-book NOW with the Air Force PJ / CCT Workout or order it in the PRINTED Version. This is a preparatory workout that will prepare you for the challenges of the swimming, running, PT of PJ training as well as the physical training of CCT to include PT, running, ruck marching,etc.. NEW addition is the Operator Fitness Test (OFT) workout section that you will take once in the pipeline. 

If you have questions - please ask - stew@stewsmith.com

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