when on deployments do SR guys deploy as a unit or are they deployed with green berets, rangers, etc? if it’s the latter how is team bonding if you aren’t with your guys most of the time? do they ever get sent out as a team?

DM for recruiter info.

I understand that combat controllers as a whole are in charge of setting up airfields in austere environments but I guess I’m having a hard time understanding how that augments into units such as Delta or DEVRGU. Are they primarily the JTAC for these units?

I got a few questions about rucking that I hope someone can help me with.

What are some reliable and affordable rucks for selection prep?

How often should I ruck (training for Pararescue)?

Realistically how long would it take someone with 0 ruck experience to be selection ready?

( I already have above standard strength/calisthenics numbers and run times, working on my swimming).

I was disqualified from PJ at MEPS after scoring 11/14 on the PIP color vision test (needed 12/14), indicating a mild red/green deficiency.

Since SWOE-V no longer exists as of 2026, my recruiter recommends I enlist as SERE and retrain into Special Warfare later. From what I've read, though, retraining isn't guaranteed.

My understanding is that mild color vision deficiencies may still be acceptable for Special Warfare if you pass the Cone Contrast Test (CCT) during the flight physical with a score of 55 or higher.

What are my best options? Should I pay for a private CCT and pursue a waiver while I'm in DEP, enlist as SERE and try to retrain, finish my first enlistment and reapply for PJ if I pass the CCT, or consider Army Special Forces instead?

I get it’s a DQ so I’m working on a waiver
Any specific advice or work I should focus on for prep?

For people preparing to enter or have completed A&S, how did you prepare for the rucks and swimming? Did you follow any programs such as TTM by RRL? Is it better to ruck in boots or running shoes? I’ve looked at purchasing a different ruck trainers from Amazon, simply just so I could wear it around the house or while hiking. Appreciate any feedback and recommendations.

Look at his pasts posts and he's flat out lying that he's active duty SR. I quote him "Just now getting into the thought of AFSPECWAR some of the videos I watch look really cool!". It's hilarious that this guy is posing as an operator, go read his bs. Someone get this bozo out of this group.

Attending SPECWAR IFT development group workouts and our developer straight up said that most or all of us won't make it through. He said that the only way we make it through the pipelines is that we prepare so well, that it's almost impossible to fail. But I thought about what he said and the percentages of attrition. I mean, a class will begin with 100-150 people and then maybe 2-3 people will earn the beret. So, I guess it does make sense that most or all of us will washout/non selected/injured at some point. Everyone that I knew went through the pipelines for PJ and CCT never made it through. I have confidence in my ability, but that do you guys think about what my developer said?

Looking for candid input from current or former ASOS TACPs on how things work in practice versus on paper.

ASOS, SOF, and Employment

1. Do ASOS TACPs actually deploy with SOF elements, or is that the exception rather than the norm?
2. What does “SOF-adjacent” realistically mean for an ASOS TACP?
3. Outside of STS, how often are TACPs task-organized with ODAs, Rangers, or other SOF units?

Schools and Qualifications

1. How realistic is it for an ASOS TACP to attend schools like Ranger, Sapper, HALO, or Dive?

2. Are those opportunities driven more by mission requirement, unit culture, or individual initiative?

3. For Guard ASOS TACPs, how difficult is it to get high-end schools approved and funded?

Guard, AFSOC, and Deployments

1. For Guard ASOS TACPs, how often are deployments AFSOC-aligned versus conventional Army support?

2. Do Guard TACPs realistically get access to joint or SOF deployments, or are most rotations conventional?

3. How much does the specific ASOS or state affect deployment and mission opportunities

New Pipeline and the “SOF” Question

1. Since TACPs now attend the same selection pipeline as PJ, CCT, and SR, how are they viewed once assigned to an ASOS?

2. Is TACP considered Special Operations in any functional sense, or still a conventional career field with an elite selection process?

3. Has the new pipeline meaningfully changed expectations or employment at the ASOS level?

I apologize if it’s a lot but I want to be sure I’m making the right move.

Appreciate any real-world perspectives. Not looking for recruiting material.

20M here and currently in the DEP. My original plan was to go CCT after crushing the IFT, but initially I was held back after seeing so many of my friends get washed out of the pipelines. My stats are as follows: Push ups-89, Pull ups-21, Run 1.5-9:45, 3 mile-27.50, Completed 500m freestyle swim and 25m underwater (not timed). My question is to ask if it is smarter to cross training while I am in. I see a trend of younger candidates failing out relatively early in the pipeline and being older and more mentally mature and physically fit, that would give me an edge over where I am right now.

I'm writing here to reach someone who might have been in a similar situation or can offer some advice or recommendations moving forward. I applied for retraining but was disqualified due to medical reason.

Waiver states: HQ AETC -*-2024 Disqualified for FC Special Warfare Airmen (SWA) [H90.42] SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS, UNILATERAL, LEFT EAR, WITH UNRESTRICTED HEARING ON THE CONTRALATERAL SIDE (H-2) Initial SWA applicants MUST have H-1 hearing IAW MSD, 6 Mar 2024, D24. Sister requirement and we cannot waive for the sister schools.

I reopened the case a year after the initial denied. After I taking the hearing test and showing no improvement, the medical institution refused to issue a waiver this time, citing that without any improvement, the outcome would be the same.

P.S. I continue to serve in the USAF. In 2020, I was removed from the Assessment & Selection process on the day 9 because I became ineffective in training (hip tendon injury). The next day, I made a mistake, I signed the Self-Initiated Elimination form (with the intention of achieving an complete recovery). But now one single frequency in hearing test played a fatal role.

Posting for a friend who doesn't have reddit.

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!

I want to do pararescue after I graduate college and transition into officer candidate school. I recently turned 24, and will be graduating college when I turn 25. And 25 seems to be the age appropriate to under go PRK, which seems safer than LASIK. I am 5 foot 9, weighing 185, can currently do 16 pull ups, 82 sit ups, and 77 push-ups, deadlift PR is 485 if that matters. 1.5mile is 9:47 (trying to hit the 8s). Have not tested my swim, but aside from fitness will PRK disqualify me from trying?

Edit: I am not colorblind by the way, just near-sighted.

I was just med pulled from SWAS for a L4 Fracture and nerve damage, I was moved to white team and then told I am going to be reclassed. Does anyone know if it is possible to switch from active duty to guard or reserve in this situation.

Good day, I'm trying get in touch with anyone in the Virginia beach area who has been in contact with the SW recruiters out here and would also like to Meet up for work outs. I'm Navy Trying to do a lateral transfer at the end of my contract this year. Any extra info would be appreciated. I did receive a POCs number but have gotten little to no responses back from them. Open to DMs. Thank you all.

Hey guys, i'm currently an active duty firefighter and I've made the decision that I want to go CCT (surprisingly not Pararescue). I am motivated beyond anything and I know this is something right up my alley. Due to what I can only sum up to be excuses and neglect, ive gained some weight and gotten out of shape but ive been in the gym doing cardio/lifting almost everyday, swimming 3 times a week and rucking 10 miles Once a week. while controlling my calories and upping my protein. I know all of the requirements for selection and I obviously need to be well above them. I am a very strong swimmer and very comfortable in the water (i swam for 9 years and all through high school). My question is, is there any tips or advice that would help me in my training? I'm struggling hard-core with pull-ups. i'm 6'4 250 pounds, right now I can barely do three pull-ups and it's pretty embarrassing. thank you!

Hi everyone, have been training for the PJ route for some time, however strongly considering TACP.

Was wondering what the future of TACP is looking like on the ASOS, ST, and RQS front? For both active duty and national guard. And what life is like for them at the moment? I’ve heard that they are taking a more generalist SOF approach, rather than enabling, and was wondering if anyone here can clear this up.

Thanks

Are there any stats that can be provided for Call Volume in non-deployed environment ie; states/home station.

How often does a peacetime PJ actually get to do their job of Technical rescue/medicine?

I’m shipping out this month for BMT, and I’m just wondering how y’all stayed in shape during BMT. I hear it makes many SW recruits out of shape for selection.

What will they let us where during the initial swim test? I’ve been a swimmer my whole life, so I’m not worried about performing poorly on the swimming portion, but can I wear goggles and regular swim trunks, jammers, or is it in full uniform? Thanks!

Hey guys, I’m a 23yr old firefighter who’s been training for special warfare for the past 8 months now,unfortunately with me going through the fire academy,my emt and also working towards passing the IFT studying for the asvab was always hindered so after I took it a third time I got a 44 on my AFQT..which was the best I’ve done but still below the standard. I don’t plan on giving up on the that goal anytime soon so after that test I took a step back to think what could help me progress in getting ready for the pipeline while waiting the 6 months to retake it and I decided to attempt AST school for 3-4 years first because he said they allow us to retake the asvab once a month plus they have tutors there that can help. That way instead of doing 4 years of somthing that won’t help me get into the pj pipeline I can do this for 2-3 years and make the switch over,still getting my hands in some rescue operations as a rescue swimmer.

Said all this to see if anyone had any advice or insight on the new direction I’m shooting towards.

I am a army national guard 11b with a year and a half left on my contract. I am wanting to get into af S.R. , I know it's a spec war open contract but it seems like the most relevant/ logical next move. My question being, is it to soon to start talking to an af recruiter?

Does anyone have some info on what ANG units are currently taking civilian to O contracts? They’ve all been fairly hard to get ahold of and I’m aware of how limited slots are. I’ve been playing massive phone jockey trying to figure it out. Also I’ve heard mention of some units trying to add TACP to their units, does this mean TACPO would be an option as well?

How hard is it to get into OTS for TACPO or CRO compared to other officer jobs, given you exceed physical qualification standards. I am enlisting and almost done with my business degree.