As a CRO you will be able to go out just as much as the PJs for at least the first 3-4 years and after that, you will be expected to lead a larger number of personnel, and will not be going out as often.

Yes. You receive the bonus once you get through and receive your beret. As of FY 19 PJ is $15K; CCT $8k; SR $10K; TACP, SERE, and EOD $8K.

The biggest differences between combat and civilian is that our first job is to eliminate the threat then treat. Additionally, you only have the med equipment that you carry on your back so you need to get creative and be decisive in what you really need to bring with you.

PJs take vitals just like everyone else, palpate a radial pulse, use a pulse oximeter, and count respirations.

The Air Force always needs PJs and it is a critically manned career field.

Obviously saving lives, as well as being the guy in charge of the team and the aircraft. It was a privilege and an honor to have such responsibilities placed in my hands at only 26 years old. I also loved the travel and the fact that every day on the job was different and exciting.

I have worked with both, and if you want to see more action as far as combat is concerned then I would recommend going the ranger route. IDMTs definitely get lots more medical training though, so if you are looking for that then go for it. Another thing to consider is that being in the Army compared to AF is a different beast, you will be treated much more like an adult in the AF. Just my 2 cents.

Not that I know of. I highly doubt you would be accepted if you are in the pipeline already and then want to start down the CRO path.

It wouldn't be exactly 10 months but you will have to go through:

6wks of BMT

8 wks of SW prep

4 wks A&S

4 wks Predive

6 wks of Dive school

Then you are able to PCS to Kirtland NM where your family can move in with you. For more info about family in the pipeline/operational see my youtube video here.

There are lots of countries I have been to where French is a secondary language, but I don't think the next couple wars will always be in the middle east so I would recommend learning the language that most interests you.

Yes that is true, people are just running through rumor mill right now but the basis is that the entire Special Ops of the AF is going to a single unit kinda like SF. I wouldn’t worry too much about it at this point as the jobs will be mostly the same, just maybe another name.

Lots of PJs go the officer route and specialize just like I am doing into an MD or PA program. Or you can do contracting, get a degree in whatever you like with the military paying for your education. Another option for you could just be to go the Guard or Reserve route where you would have to take a hiatus from your job while you are in training but will be able to work a normal civilian job once you are done with training.

I understand your concerns and I will start by saying that this job is definitely not for everyone, as cliche as is sounds. To answer your first question, I don't know how much you make now, but as a PJ you will get a bonus for enlisting which is around 10000 as well as a reenlistment bonus every time you enlist which ranges from 25000 to 90000 depending on your commitment. You will also get an extra 750 per month in special duty pays as well as whatever per diem you may make from TDYs Deployments etc. Keeping all this in mind you just have to remember that this is still military service, so there is sacrifice involved.

As for him quitting, he will most likely have another chance if he were to reclassify and come back in a couple years. From my experience as an instructor, the younger candidates are more prone to making impulsive decisions and I have seen it time and time again when the student will have a moment of weakness. I always tell the students who quit that it does not define the person you are if you don’t let it. Take the time you need to get over it, then learn from it and get back on the horse. If he has the option I would recommend him to try out for SERE then go back to PJ when he is ready.

I have flat feet and it has never stopped me from doing whatever I need to do, in fact, I have always been a pretty fast rucker.

I always would think of the injuries as a more mechanical issue than just a person screaming and in pain. In the moment you need to do what you have to do in order to save the person’s life. So you have to put aside feelings for that time in order to get things done. After you finish the moment, you will need to speak with someone and make sure you don't let that experience seep in too deep and create a problem. At the end of the day, you just gotta make it happen.

Absolutely, and much faster than Active Duty typically.

No you do not, you just need to contact the unit and see when tryouts are.

The hardest part of leading a team is that everyone is an alpha male and has the "best way" to do things. Many times people don't know what they want and all you can do is make the best judgment possible with the information you are given and just make a decision.

We are always on duty, and regularly do civilian rescues even outside natural disasters.