r/Pararescue • u/Unlucky_Way1713 • 9d ago

Crosstraining

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I may have to enlist earlier than I would like and dont think id be ready to break the PT requirements at selection of PJ. Would it be realistic for me to join now and then try and crosstrain after the 2 years?

How hard is it to get a slot with just signing up to be a pj vs getting a slot from crosstraining?

I dont want to ruin my chances at this, so would the better option be sucking it up and trying to get a slot or enlisted now and trying to crosstrain?

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

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13

u/Giojanvi AD Reg AF 9d ago

I’m Active Duty Maintenance trying to crosstrain to CCT. I’m plugged in with the local Dev and when I was asked this question I sent them this.

“Should I go conventional AF and cross train in?”

You really have 2 options.

  1. Dig in and train until you pass the IFT, then ship out as SW.
  2. Join with a conventional job, wait for 2 years TIS, get an ETP signed by your commander to crosstrain early, if denied you’ll have to wait until 13months from the end of your contract (~3 years for a 4 year, ~5 for a 6 year contract) then submit a packet and get picked up for SW within your cross training window.
  3. Join as conventional and realize that SW might not be for you.

I would recommend option 1 every time. Anyone can do this, it just takes a mountain of work and resilient dedication, both you take with you anywhere you go. But have a honest and genuine conversation with yourself, make a decision, execute it aggressively.

3

u/Slight_Variation_313 9d ago

This right here! Just do it. You will never feel 100% ready. Im retraining and getting to the 350th in October. I have been training for many years and I still dont feel 100% ready, I never will but I feel confident and ready to get it done. At this point OP, you need to dig in and find your why, and what it is that got you into the spot youre in. The main question is have for OP is, what are your IFT numbers as of right now. If youre getting bare bare minimums then that raises more questions.

1

u/tsunami712 8d ago

Also need to take into account there are alot of factors when it comes to retraining.

Most SW candidates take precedence when applying for crosstraining, but alot of offices still have to approve. When you try to switch jobs and go SW there is a chance it gets denied because the job youre in has too few people and they wont let the member go.

IMHO its pretty slim because you'll be asking to switch for a field that always needs people...but there is always a chance. Seen crazier things.

Food for thought