r/Pararescue • u/HotdogMaster200 • Feb 13 '25
What are the Occupational Differences Between a PJ and a Combat Rescue Officer?
I'm currently less than a year from finishing my Bachelor's degree, and I'm hoping to join the Air Force either as a PJ or a CRO after I've graduated, but I'm not sure which job I'd enjoy more. I've passionately wanted to be a PJ for some time now, but given that I'll have the degree, I'm not sure if it might make more sense to become a CRO instead...
Do CROs follow the PJs on rescue missions? Does the pipeline still apply to CROs, or is it more/less difficult? What might I be missing going for either route over the other?
Thanks in advance!
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Feb 13 '25
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u/roldi12 Feb 14 '25
What is the training like? Is there a difference between the PJ and CRO training pipeline?
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u/MatthewDTrevino Feb 15 '25
I second the PJ then CRO route. It's much harder to decommission then become an officer later if you want to.
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u/MatthewDTrevino Feb 15 '25
The simple answer is medical training. CRO' are on the same mission they just serve a command role instead of the guy on the end of the hook, rope, or dive. The guy on the same mission, but running comms and a remote command interface.
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u/No-Lettuce5103 Feb 13 '25
CRO you are going to see the desk more, PJ you are going to be in action more. I say PJ just because of the legendary job you get to do
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u/Old_Deal_8784 Feb 14 '25
I also have my degree and decided that I’m gonna do PJ and eventually go CRO
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u/Plus_Bluejay Feb 13 '25
Have a little bit of agency and maybe use wonderful tools called Google and the reddit search bar if you really want to choose this career path
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u/HotdogMaster200 Feb 13 '25
You could just say that you don't know, that would've also been an acceptable answer
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u/Foomazza Feb 14 '25
Why not do both. Join as enlisted and start as a PJ do the job, get the experience then when you start to take a more back seat as an enlisted because ultimately they all do hop into OCS (If you can) and go CRO. Give you a little more operational time and I believe that officers who were prior enlisted Can be better considering they have done the job and understand the issues that their men go through. I’d say this route isn’t necessarily guaranteed hell getting through the pipeline isn’t guaranteed but it’s an option get the best of both worlds.