What level of swimming should I have before starting your program?
As long as you are able to swim 100m at a time then that is fine. All I ask is that you complete the distance or reps however long it takes you. It is part of building resilience. I know you can get to that point in less than a month if you are willing to spend the time in the pool.
What you would say is a common trait you see in those who get through INDOC?
Strong team mentality and complete dedication to the mission.
What type of mental attitude does it take to become a PJ?
Be willing to sacrifice time, money, and everything you have, in order to bring someone home to their families.
Do ice baths help with recovery?
Ice baths help with recovery in the first 10 min after a workout. Think of it like saving your body the energy of getting back to normal temp. It will help with muscle tissue breakdown and slowing inflammation.
I’m having surgery soon, will I still be able to become a PJ after the surgery if it's full recovery?
Well it would depend on the type of surgery. I had a complete ACL replacement, MCL repair, and menicus repair, and one year later I was in BMT, eight weeks later I was in Indoc, and have thus far had a really awsome career.
What age do most people retire from Pararescue and why? And what do most people do after they retire?
Most people will get out of Pararescue after 2 enlistments just because of the high numbers of deployments and with the amount of training we get, they can use on the outside. I would say most people do medical jobs or contracting after getting out.
Did you always feel motivated during your journey to become a PJ?
No, sometimes I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. But it was all worth it in the end.
Did you ever have this happen to you in any time of your service or even before when you just couldn’t be 100% motivated 100% of the time?
Happens all the time, there are always going to be times when you don't want to do something. That is when you have to realize you have to sacrifice short term comfort for long term goals. No one is perfect, and that doesn’t change when you become a PJ.
Can 30+ year olds get through selection?
Absolutely, as long as you are trained up to the old grad standards prior to your arrival and focus on your recovery throughout the course you will be able to pass. In fact, the older candidates are the least likely to quit.
Are there any books that you recommend reading into to help someone better understand the medical field, terminology, etc.?
I would recommend just reading up on basic anatomy and physiology then maybe something like the ranger med handbook.
Would you recommend going to college before signing up for PJ?
I wouldn’t go unless you have a full ride scholarship.
How long should I train to tread water?
The old grad standard was 2 min 30 sec with wrists and ears out of the water.
I was curious to see what you’d recommend a 3,000m fin time to be at prior to Selection?
Your pace should be 2 min per 100m and I would recommend being able to swim 4000m. So it would be 4000m in 80 min.
Is there any possibility of ever getting a color vision waiver for PJ/CCT?
Yes, it just depends on the extent of your color blindness.
When you exercise with your plate carrier and the two dumbbell weights how far do you usually walk or run?
Anywhere from 400m to 1 mile depending on the workout.
After basic training, when will I be able to normally use my phone to video chat with my family and friends?
You will be able to have your phone at some points even through basic, but you will always have it after duty hours at selection. You will have an opportunity to spend time with your family after you graduate basic. But you need to get your mind right, YES talking with family is very important, however you need to not worry about that. Focus on passing and getting through.
Does your Get Selected program help resolve calisthenic plateaus or is it more like a glimpse of Selection for someone who hasn’t been there?
It is meant to do both. After seeing all the students come through Indoc, I noticed too many people just doing a substandard pushup to try and get grad standards. So I incorporated a lot of exercises in the Get Selected program that have helped me throughout my time as a PJ and instructor to get guys through. There are also days where you will get a gut check, which helps people prepare for the long days so they can figure out nutrition and rest. The workouts I designed use sandbags and a weight vest to help guys increase their numbers.