Are your programs scaled differently for PJ vs CRO? Or are they the same?
They are the same since both PJs and CROs go to the same selection. I do have the different past standards as the goal in the pass the PAST program, but all the workouts are the same.
Would the Air Force take prior Navy with tattoos if I want to do a Special Warfare job?
Yes, they will. Look at AFI 36-2903 for the specific tattoo regulations. Generally speaking, tattoos are ok unless they are on your head, neck or hands. Nothing derogatory either. The best thing to do is get with a USAF Special Warfare recruiter through Airforce.com.
I’m currently a Rescue EMT-B. Would it be wise AND worth the extra 1.5 years to receive my EMT-P cert prior to joining?
No, you will get it paid for and it will take half the time once you make it to PJ school. I would recommend focusing on passing the past and hitting the old Indoc grad standards.
I work in EMS and have a weird schedule so I wouldn’t be able to all 6 workouts of your programs every week. Are your programs still doable with my schedule?
First, you will have access to the programs through my app and then you will have access for a full year. Second, there are lots of firefighters doing my program, it definitely requires you to be committed. You can find the time to do them, because other people are doing it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It honestly comes down to how committed you are to improving your current level of fitness. If you miss more than 2 workouts a week, I recommend redoing the entire week, and I can always reset for you.
I was wondering if you have any info on water confidence courses you can take?
There is water confidence included in all of my workout programs. But if you want a pure breath holding course, you might be able to do a performance free diving course.
I’ve been struggling with the egg beater tread, are there any good tips or progressions I that should do?
It is difficult and sometimes frustrating, however you can practice on the land laying on your back, then move into the water and hold the wall, then move off the wall and use some type of floaty to hold you up, then ditch the floaty. Also if this doesn’t work and you cannot get it down, you can grind through using a giant stride/flutter kick variation.
Do you have any advice for improving your 500m - 1000m swim times?
One thing that helped me was alternating with hand paddles and fins. It really helps you feel what movements will help you propel yourself in the water. Also a big thing people miss is working on reducing your time on the wall during turns.
I was wondering about your experience of making it through indoctrination, the pipeline, etc. Did you struggle a lot, and where? Also, did you stand out or were really great at one thing or another?
The hardest part for me was waking up in the morning and starting the day, because I knew once I started I could just gut it out… but taking myself out of a comfy bed to get beat up was difficult.
What is your take on being in a relationship that involves kids, while trying to train and become a pj?
Everyone is busy, you are just going to have to prioritize your time well. It's definitely not the easiest thing to do, but it can be done. Remember that training to become a PJ is really the start of your future PJ career.
Were you ever exposed to climbing on more than a training level?
There was a mission where there was a potential for it during a rescue I did out at Zion, but the helo ended up being able to fit in the canyon.
Which would you recommend if you wanted the most deployments, Guard or Active Duty?
In recent history the active units are deploying a lot more frequently then the Guard or Reserve Units. As a Rescue Squadron PJ you will deploy almost once a year or every 18 months with an entire team, in the STS side of it, it will be less often. In the Guard or Reserve there are opportunities to deploy, but more often then not you are not deploying as a team.
How long have you been a PJ? Did you go straight in or did you have another specialty prior?
When I joined the Air Force, I went straight to Indoc and was a PJ for 12 years. No prior Air Force jobs.
I saw in one of your videos that you said crossfit will not prepare you for selection. Why?
I don't recommend doing ONLY Crossfit due to the fact that most of the workouts are under 1 hour and the typical day at selection is 9 hrs of on and off working out. Doing Crossfit in addition to a regular training routine though is totally fine as long as you give yourself time to recover.
Do CCT candidates do the same water confidence training as PJs?
Yes, you will be doing the same stuff as PJs now that A&S has replaced CCSC and Indoc.
How much medical training does a PJ do? Not trauma, more like medical emergencies like cardiac, respiratory, GI, etc.
PJ's are Nationally certified paramedics so we get all of that training but only use it about once a year when we do civilian rotations.
I got accepted to OTS for the pilot program, but I feel like being a PJ is what I’m passionate about. I just don’t know what the right decision is, any advice?
That is definitely a tough situation, one factor to consider is that you can be a PJ then a pilot but not the other way around. Overall, I would say to do what you are most interested in, watch videos and read books about them. Then when you decide, go all in.
A friend who is in the Air Force told me it normally takes 5 years from the time a guy enlists to the time he is a functional and operational PJ. Is that true?
Nope, from the time you get to basic to the time you are operational is about 2.5 years. Which is when you get to your first unit and complete your mission qual training. There are lots of people who have deployed within months of getting to their first duty station.
Do you think it would be smart to cross train into Pararescue... I would sign up for security forces then cross train over?
Absolutely not. I would recommend going straight in for PJ if that is what you want to do. Cross training is never a guarantee. The Prior service program is one of the Air Forces most selective programs. The Air Force’s priority is new enlisted for pipeline slots than maybe back fill with AFR or ANG students and then finally Prior Service.