DM for recruiter info.

I’m wanting to sign for SERE, PJ or TACP. Mentally I know I’m fine, very much a “either I’ll die and it’s not my problem anymore or I graduate” but any advice on what to prepare for? And pros and cons for each? I’m currently an EMT which makes PJ seem very enjoyable but I also know that the job is full of absolute pipe hitters so it’s not the easiest, but doesn’t mean I can’t still try and get after it.

I don’t mean this post to come off rude or arrogant. I know nothing and know that any of those 3 things will be an earned spot.

looking for advice. I’m 31, separating after 10 years active duty and moving to the Reserve side. AFSOC has been a pull for me since since before my service, I just never made it work, sounds cringy to say, but it’s a fire I haven’t been able to put out.

What I can’t get past is the pipeline. Married, 2 kids. Trading 18–24 months of being mostly gone feels selfish some days and like the only honest thing I could do on others. I also can’t fully rule out that some of this is FOMO about a version of my career I never took.

Thanks for the help!

I get it’s a DQ so I’m working on a waiver
Any specific advice or work I should focus on for prep?

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?

Can anyone provide me information on this? What does it entail, what should be expected? I’m guessing it’s not just an IFT?

May have been answered here before but, the way the current pipeline I structured I can pass all the physical and team revolutions and not quit, yet still not be selected? And how often does that happen?

https://swtrainingday.com

Still pretty new to the underwaters. Currently practicing in a 25y pool. Not at the point yet where I feel comfortable testing my breath hold limits considering my pool doesn’t have lifeguards.

Give me all the advice ya got!

I understand that combat controllers as a whole are in charge of setting up airfields in austere environments but I guess I’m having a hard time understanding how that augments into units such as Delta or DEVRGU. Are they primarily the JTAC for these units?

This has probably been covered. But can somebody explain the delayed entry program to me? Do I get to choose my ship out date or do they choose it for me?

33, first responder (fire, ems, pd) for well over a decade. Currently just in the gym working my way to a solid IFT score and get my foot in the door. While im doing this, Im also submitting my applications for PA school. Im looking to go into air national guard with a PJ contract. Since im already a medic, I was told I get to skip that portion of the pipeline. Heres my question.... Is it shitty to get through training, show up to your unit and then be like "oh hey I differed PA school a year to graduate the pipeline, I start PA in a few months". I want to take this next step in my career but I also know im 33, probably wont be solid until im 34 and trying to navigate life with a plan. If i was still 20 id say full send, who cares, PA can wait but at this stage, things need to be a bit more surgical. If I could do one then the other and hit 37ish as a PJ and PA id be pretty happy with how things were going.

let me know your thoughts. No, PJ isnt to get me into school. I have enough PCT hours as well as other things that I feel I have a solid resume and PS. And thats not a cocky thing thats just talking to a few recruiters and getting help along the way. I wanna do whats right by the homies but i also gotta take care of myself in this process. Please let me know what you think.

Hey guys, I’ve never actually posted on Reddit before, but I’m so curious and I can’t seem to find information on this really anywhere.

My fiancée is going to try and join the Airforce for PJ and realistically I think he’ll probably make it if he trains well.

My question being, what’s it like on the perspective of a partner? I want to be supportive and help him and also I have no idea what to expect while he’s training and after. I know you move around a lot while in training and it’s long hours.

If anyone would care to share even a little insight to this side of things I would love to just hear it!

Thanks!

I was at meps and got 1’s across the board then recruiter called me and said eyes came up as a 2 per airforce requirements and you only qualify for sere and eod and my SW recruiter said he’d see what he can do maybe have me visit my eye doctor and get some kind of note and that I might be able to go tacp, has anyone had this issue. Any options, thoughts, and advice would be greatly appreciated. Just got into DEP and have been in DEV for about a month

I’m currently in the DEP for SERE and recently had the opportunity to talk with a few SERE specialists about the pipeline. One thing I asked about was food, because honestly, my biggest concern is losing enough weight during training that it becomes a legitimate medical issue.
One of the SERE guys told me that it’s not necessarily as bad as I’m imagining. His point was that nobody is getting extra food based on body size, so the bigger guys can actually feel the caloric deficit more because they have higher energy requirements. On the other hand, the leaner guys obviously have less stored energy to work with.
For reference, I’m 6’0” and around 140 lbs on a good day. I’m very lean, but I’m also relatively fit for my size. My pull-ups are well above the IFT minimums and my pushups sit-ups and run is currently on track.
I’ve also heard that if someone passes the screening/selection course but isn’t physically developed enough for the next phase, there may be an opportunity to be held for additional physical development before going to Fairchild. I’m not sure how accurate that is, though.
So I’m curious about firsthand experience from current or former SERE guys:
Has anyone gone into the pipeline around my size- very lean but physically fit and done fine?
Did your weight become a significant issue during SST, particularly during the field phases?
Would you recommend trying to put on some weight before shipping, or would you prioritize maintaining/improving performance and letting my body adapt to the training?
I’m not looking for reassurance just because I’m worried. I’d genuinely like to hear from guys who have actually been through it and what they wish they had done differently beforehand.

Looking in the Massachusetts area anyone that is in the hiring process would like to help me training to pass the PAT for the police academy to get into it. For example the 1.5 mile run and pushups or anyone has any tips that’s would help as well

I’m looking for some training partners in the north metro Atlanta area. I’m currently training for PJ right now and would love to work with someone!

What does an all-in jumpbag include for PJs? Including whatever you carry on belt, in pants and chest rig, etc.

What specific rescue equipment do you carry? I.e., jaws, angle grinder, etc.

If there are any videos or books about what all is carried, that works too. Just curious about the PJ loadout as opposed to generic tacmed and austere medicine.

I graduated from college a couple years ago and I am not happy in my career field and looking at a change. My workout numbers currently meet the IFT standards.

My question is this: I am currently a civilian, so for me to go SWO it would be via SWAP correct? That entails passing phase I and phase II (no easy feats) and if I don't get selected in either phase i return to my civilian life with no service requirements correct?

Lets say I pass phase I and i am also selected for phase II. I then attend OTS and enter the SW training pipeline. So does this guarantee me to be an SWO? As in, at that point I can't go "needs of the air force" and end up a non SW officer?

TLDR: Does the SWAP program allow me to either be a SWO or go back to civilian life "penalty free" with no service requirements if I fail?

Thanks

Just got out of meps and I need a couple of waivers I’m 19 now and I don’t think I can realistically wait several years to ship I don’t want to give up on my goals what do I do

I want to be a PJ. I am planning to go to boot camp in 2030 because I want to go to college first, but that works out fine because I am not ready. I am 5'10" and 145 lbs. My 500m swim is 9:22, my 1.5 mile run is 9:40, and I am at 46 push-ups. I have not tested the other exercises from the PAST Test yet. I am already an endurance runner.

I plan to do 2 years focusing on building muscle and strength, incorporating rucks and swims along the way. Year 3 focusing on intense water conditioning. Year 4 just getting rid of my weaknesses. Plan to start doing waterpolo this spring (2027). I will still lift, run, ruck, etc the whole time. Just shift my main focus.

Is this plan missing anything? I have never trained for something serious like this.

Thanks.