Pararescue Deployment: The Variable Path To Serving In Conflict Zones

Pararescuemen, or PJs, are a special unit within the US Air Force. They are a cross between a Green Beret and an emergency trauma paramedic. Their job is to rescue and recover US personnel trapped behind enemy lines, and they are the only unit designated by the Department of Defense to do so.

PJs are often deployed to war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are tasked with rescuing and medically treating downed crew members. They also take on other special duties that are not publicly disclosed.

The work is extremely dangerous, and PJs often face hostilities, including ambushes and bombs, when responding to a call. Despite the risks, PJs are always ready to put their lives on the line to bring people home.

Pararescuemen are a type of special operator within the Air Force

Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are a type of special operator within the Air Force. They are highly trained emergency trauma specialists who are deployed in any available manner, including air, land, and sea tactics, and into restricted environments to authenticate, extract, treat, stabilize, and evacuate injured personnel.

PJs are the only service members specifically trained and equipped to conduct personnel recovery operations. Their skill set includes skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, and skiing. They are also elite paramedics, capable of rendering life-saving medical care in the most remote areas.

PJs are among the most highly trained special operators in the U.S. military. Their training is among the toughest in the U.S. military's special units, with an attrition rate of around 80%. The process of becoming a PJ, informally known as "Superman School", takes almost two years to complete.

PJs are assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command (ACC). They are also attached to other special operations units from all branches to conduct other operations as appropriate.

The motto of the PJs, "That Others May Live", reaffirms their commitment to saving lives and self-sacrifice.

They are a cross between a Green Beret and an emergency trauma paramedic

Pararescuemen are a unique type of soldier, a hybrid of a Green Beret and an emergency trauma paramedic. They are highly trained special operators, attached to the Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command.

Pararescuemen are often referred to as PJs, short for parajumpers, and are the only unit designated by the Department of Defense to rescue and recover US personnel trapped behind enemy lines. They are also trained to provide emergency and life-saving services to airmen, soldiers, and civilians in both peacetime and combat environments.

The role of a pararescueman is considered one of the toughest in the US military, and their training is among the longest and most challenging of any special operations unit. Their training covers a variety of disciplines, including parachuting, underwater combat, wilderness survival, and trauma paramedic training.

PJs are deployed with an array of equipment, from rafts and scuba gear to snowmobiles and off-road motorcycles. They also carry a range of weapons, from combat machine guns to sniper rifles.

The work of a pararescueman is dangerous, and they often face hostilities and the threat of enemy fire when responding to a call. Despite the risks, pararescuemen are committed to their motto: "That Others May Live."

Pararescuemen are the only unit designated to rescue US personnel trapped behind enemy lines

Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are the only unit designated by the Department of Defense to rescue and recover US personnel trapped behind enemy lines. They are a part of the US Air Force's elite Combat Search and Rescue team and are considered to be among the most highly trained emergency trauma specialists in the US military.

PJs are highly trained special operators who conduct personnel recovery and combat search and rescue operations, as well as other missions for the US military and its allies. They are generally assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command.

Personnel recovery includes rescuing and providing medical treatment to injured or stranded personnel in hostile or remote environments, such as behind enemy lines or in the wilderness. PJs are often lowered from helicopters to secure the area and assist in rescue operations. They are trained paramedics, paratroopers, and combat divers.

The training to become a PJ is one of the longest special operations training courses in the world and has a high attrition rate. It covers a range of disciplines, including parachuting, underwater combat, wilderness survival, and trauma paramedic training. PJs are also required to maintain an emergency medical technician-paramedic qualification throughout their careers.

The motto of the PJs, "That Others May Live," reaffirms their commitment to saving lives and self-sacrifice. Their work is dangerous, as they often face enemy fire and the threat of ambushes or bombs during rescue missions. Despite the risks, PJs have successfully rescued and recovered US personnel from behind enemy lines in various conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

They are in constant demand and face significant dangers, including ambushes and bombs

Pararescuemen are in constant demand. They are the only unit designated by the Department of Defense to rescue and recover U.S. personnel trapped behind enemy lines. They are deployed to go into hostile territory to rescue and medically treat downed crews. They are considered to be among the toughest of the U.S. military's special units, with nine out of ten people who try to be pararescuemen not making it through the selection process.

Pararescuemen face significant dangers. Their work involves parachuting, underwater combat, wilderness survival, and trauma paramedic training. They are constantly under the threat of enemy fire, and insurgents have laid ambushes or placed bombs or other "secondary devices" that specifically target them. These are called "SAR traps", short for Search and Rescue traps. Six pararescuemen have been killed since the beginning of both operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Pararescuemen head into war zones with an array of equipment, including rafts, snowmobiles, scuba gear, off-road motorcycles, parachutes, and oxygen masks for high-altitude jumps from aircraft. They also carry a variety of weapons, from combat machine guns to sniper rifles.

Pararescue training is among the toughest in the US military

The first step is to pass the Physical Ability and Stamina Test (PAST), which includes three swims, a run, and a series of pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups, all within a three-hour window. After this, there is a 10-week indoctrination course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, which includes extensive physical conditioning, as well as physiological training, obstacle courses, rucksack marches, dive physics, and medical terminology.

Following this, trainees undergo a series of specialised courses, including:

• U.S. Army Airborne School (3 weeks)
• U.S. Army Combat Divers School (4 weeks)
• U.S. Navy Underwater Egress Training (1 day)
• U.S. Air Force Basic Survival School (2.5 weeks)
• U.S. Army Free-fall Parachutist School (5 weeks)
• Special Operations Combat Medic Course (22 weeks)
• Pararescue Recovery Specialist Course (20 weeks)

These courses cover a range of essential skills for PJs, including parachuting, diving, survival, and medical training. The training is extremely demanding, with an attrition rate of about 75%.

One of the most challenging aspects of Pararescue training is the "Water Con" or "The Pool" – a form of water confidence training that involves spending hours in the pool each day, performing exercises such as underwater swims, knot-tying, scuba equipment drills, and "drown proofing". This training is designed to test mental calmness and toughness, in addition to physical endurance.

Overall, Pararescue training is highly intensive and demanding, both physically and mentally, ensuring that those who complete it are among the most highly trained emergency trauma specialists in the US military.

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