The Pararescue
Career Field

Pararescuemen (PJs) are United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command (ACC) operators tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments, and have included NASA missions to recover astronaut recovery water landings.

Pararescuemen are attached to other Special Operations Forces from all branches of the services, to conduct special operations missions.  Of the roughly 200 Air Force Cross recipients, 24 are from the enlisted ranks, 12 of which are Pararescuemen. Pararescue is a career specialty within the elite, but little-known Air Force Special Operations community.  

The Pararescue service, a long enlisted enclave, expanded to include Combat Rescue Officers early in the 21st century.

When a Life Needs Saving…

The Mission falls to a Pararescueman

As members of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, Pararescue (PJ) specialists rescue and recover downed aircrews from hostile or otherwise unreachable areas.

Training & Education

The transformation from a recruit to a Pararescue Expert is a demanding one.  From hands-on-experience to college credit for a path to degree, the gauntlet begins here.

  • Basic Military Training
  • Indoc Qualification Course
  • Technical Training
  • Tech School Location
  • On Completion
    College credits earned in Personnel Recovery

    Subjects & Skills

    • Emergency Management & Response
    • Intelligence
    • Special Operations
    • Health and Medicine
    • Health Technician and Specialist

    Qualifications
    Summary

    Minimum Education:
    High School Diploma
    GED with 15 College Credits, or GED
    ASVAB Requirement: General


    Entry Level
    Qualifications

    • Successful completion of the Pararescue physical ability and stamina test
    • Minimum score of 60 on PJ selection model completed in Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System
    • Physical qualification for aircrew, parachute and marine-diving duty
    • Qualification and proficiency as a static line and military freefall parachutist and as a military SCUBA diver
    • Certification from the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians
    • Completion of a current National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks and Credit
    • Completion of 7.5 weeks of Basic Military Training as well as Airmen’s Week
    • Must be between the ages of 17 and 39