Expert: Rod Powers - 12/9/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hello,
    
    I was wondering if going to the Air Force Acadamey had anything to do with weather or not you can become a Pararescue. ASlong with that can you be a piolit and Pararescue, thnks in advance for your time & effort.
Answer -
Hi Brian,

Method of commission (Academy, ROTC, or OTS) has little impact on whether or not one can become Pararescue.  

One cannot be Pararescue and a military pilot at the same time.  They are entirely separate career fields.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much,

    So how do you go about becoming Pararescue which is what I must persue due to vision problems (I wear contacts). Also how long is the training.

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


Answer
Hi Brian,

Are you talking about becoming an enlisted Pararescueman, or a commissioned officer?

Enlisted Pararescue requirements can be read at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1t2x1.htm.

Officer qualifications are at: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/afoffjobs/bl13dx.htm

Whether enlisted or officer, just to apply, one must meet the Physical Ability and Stamina Test requirements at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcejoin/a/past.htm

To become a Pararescue Officer, you would first have to be accepted for a commission (Academy, ROTC, or OTS), then you would list Pararescue as one of your career field choices, and hope you get selected for it.  For officer jobs, there are no guarantees that you will get the career field you want.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com