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.
Is any bachelors okay to be a CRO or do I need to study something in specific?
Any bachelors degree is fine, just make sure you are working on your leadership and physical fitness as well.
What is the extent of communication with family during deployments?
You are always going to have a satellite phone on you and can call back. It just depends on what kind of stuff you are doing, there are a few times when you have to work all night or fly. In those cases maybe you won't be able to call…but 90 percent of the time you will be able to call them. On some deployments you might even be able to get a sim card for your cell phone or internet in your room, it also depends on where you’re deployed. But in my experience it is the best practice to not have/plan specific times to talk.
After you have been on a team for a while, will you become confined to a desk doing more admin type work?
Yes, you keep getting increased responsibility and it is expected that you give the younger guys a chance to gain experience. However this is after several years, not over a short period of time.
How long will my husband would be gone on deployments once he becomes a PJ?
Deployments are 4-5 MO and TDYs can be days to months most units will deploy every 18 months. Typically they try to not make guys with families gone for extended periods of time, but the mission dictates what you need to do so just like everything we plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Regarding the transition from being a PJ to medical school or to becoming a PA, are the skills transferable and is the experience attractive to schools?
The experience is absolutely attractive to schools. I am currently in a top 10 school for PAs and I believe that is one of the biggest reasons I was accepted. Schools know you will never quit or fail if you have had that mentality instilled in you from experiences in Special Operations, not to mention the opportunities and experiences I have had as a PJ really set me apart from other candidates.
Do you believe it’s dangerous to the dynamic if a woman was on the team?
I think the easy part will be making it through selection and the hard part will be the social aspect and the dynamic of the small team. The most dangerous thing about it would be that a woman on the team will be a distraction at first, but as long as she can do the job I think it would work out just fine, but obviously uncharted territory for me as well.
How do PJ’s get assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons rather than Rescue Squadrons. My eventual goal is to be in the 24th STS.
You just put it on your assignment list, and make sure you’re a good candidate. The 24th STS has an additional selection. But to be honest you need to focus on becoming a PJ first. The 24th is a long ways away.
Are the boots you have listed on your website under equipment tall enough? The Lowa Men’s Zephyr GTX Mid TF hiking boots or are the “mid” too low?
Depends on what you like. I have worn those in uniform for a long time. Also, just remember most people have field boots and garrison boots. When you are in the field, you unblouse your boots.
Which gets a higher level of medical training, PJ or SEAL medic?
Depends on the SEAL medic. A lot of them are going through civilian contractors and coming out with TCCC certs. Some are getting their paramedic certs as well. ALL PJs are National Registered paramedic certified and do advanced procedures. And it has been my general observation that as a fresh 3 level PJ you are more trained and more confident doing all medical procedures.
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.
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.
For someone who wishes to be in a combat role under the special operations command, is the CRO pipeline unrealistic?
If you go the CRO route expect to deploy 2-3 times with a team, then deploy as a commander and stay in the JOC to control and advocate. You will definitely get lots of leadership experience but their main role is not to be in the shit. It happens, but not often. Honestly, in my experience, officers in general don't see the front lines of battle. If you want to see combat, go for the rangers… they see a lot. If you want to save lives and occasionally see combat, be a PJ.
When you're stateside, how often are you with your family?
You can expect to be gone a lot even when you are home. My first year I was gone around 300 days, it slows down to around 200 after that.
Is it true Air National Guard gets more action each year with national disasters?
Not true, you will get more civilian rescues in a guard unit but it doesn't mean you don't get to do your job in active duty. Honestly, the Alaska unit gets some of the most action as far as civilian rescues go.