You can do the program with less gear and sub in other stuff for sure, that won't be a problem, an additional option would be to start the program and do what you can do the first time and then you can restart the program as many times as you would like for a year from your purchase date.

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.

The biggest thing that helped me get over shin splints when I used to get them was using a roller and anytime I was sitting on the couch I would do the alphabet with my toes. Bottom line is you are going to have to stay off of them for a little bit before you jump back into all this.

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 is still currently 4 weeks but you can expect that it will be a kick in the balls the entire time. I say that because when you do actually get a break, you wont get as much of a break as you might feel like you want… it will be just as much as you need.

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.

I would volunteer as much as possible around the base where you are working and hopefully come home with an Airman of the quarter or something like that. Additionally, get some school knocked out and check out my reading list. All of the books recommended in there will help you become a better leader and teammate.

There is not really anything that can actually replace the pool but I usually recommend that people use either the row, jacobs ladder, or versa-climber machines as a substitute since they are low impact and full body workouts.

The new A&S is more land than water now however, you will still have all of the watercon aspects when you get to predive. So I would absolutely not stop practicing your water work.

SW is going to more Open SW contracts. It allows them to not force jobs on you and also gives you the ability to interview SW career fields to find if you are a better fit. You will choose your job at SW prep,  no one at SW Prep will force you to make a decision you don’t want to make.

No matter what you do, it will be hard on your body, but there are things you can do to make yourself more resilient. First off, I would start a phased workout plan that involves different focuses over time. So I would start with running then go to swimming, then Cals, then rucking, and so on. Increase the weight you are able to carry and make your body used to it in order to reduce injury chances later on.

You will have access to your phone through some points in Basic and when you are at SW prep/A&S. You will also have most weekends off while you are training.

If you get hurt then the severity of your injury will determine your ability to stay in the pipeline. If you have an injury that will take over 60 days to heal then you will most likely be reclassified. If it is under then you have a good chance of being recycled given that you have earned it of course.

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.

I agree that taking extra protein is not always necessary if you can get the intake through plain old good eating. Just make sure you are hitting all your goals. I would really recommend you working out more often with a weight vest and maybe increasing the weight on that if you are already doing that. I think adding slow low rep weight sessions that are focused will help you gain some mass as well, just keep those sessions short and succinct to make sure you are not overtraining.

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.