Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/16/2009

Question
Dr. Howell, I am 21 years old and I would like to join a Special Forces team. So far from the research I have done, I have become more interested in attempting to become either a Pararescueman or a Force Recon Marine. I would love to be on the ground fighting and helping other U.S. forces. I am very interested in both combat training and medical training. I understand that as a PJ I would receive quite a bit of medical training which might not be as readily available to me as a Recon Marine. But my question is, how much combat training do PJ's receive? And how does that training compare to that of the Recon Marines? Thank you for your time and expertise.
Sincerely,
Porfirio.

Answer
Porfirio,
I'm glad to see you've been doing your homework.  Being informed is very important when you're about to make a life-changing decision.

Think of it this way.  PJs are in the business of saving lives while Force Recon guys are in the business of taking lives.  So yes, you'll receive much more medical training as a PJ.  Recon will give you much more combat training.  PJ training is very difficult and only a few get to wear the maroon beret, but Recon has much more hands-on weapon training, for example.  Recon routinely slips in and out unnoticed.  PJs don't need that kind of training.  If I were a downed pilot I'd want a PJ by my side.  If I were a downed pilot in Iraq, I'd want Recon by my side.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
Colonel H