Expert: Howard Lorenz - 10/30/2007

Question
Hello,

   First of all, I apologize for the length of my questions.  I am 32 years old, and previously spent 4 years (enlisted) as an intelligence analyst in the USAF.  I am debating about possibly rejoining with the purpose to become a pararescueman.  Since my time out I obtained both my Bachelors and Masters in accounting.  Ideally, I would like to come back as an officer.  My questions are:

1.) Are the steps to be pararescue the same for officer and enlisted?  I read somewhere that as an officer you would have to be selected, whereas for enlisted, I believe you just have to pass the required tests.

2.) If I went enlisted, do I go through basic again?  I would assume not.  As an officer, I assume I would go through officer training school.

3.) How long is total training?  I read total schooling is a year, but I've also read that training is two years long.  

4.) I am married with two children.  Is there a point during training at which I would be allowed to stay in my own home, or do I have to live with the rest of the class during the entire training?  If so, when would I have time to see my family?

Thanks for your time,

Sean

Answer
Sean,

The Air Force entry standards are forever changing. Getting back in even as an officer is going to be difficult. The fact that you have the degrees makes me question your your desire to re-enter active duty. But everyone has their reasons.

Pararescue is the same for everyone, The officers have it a little rougher, but the training is the same. The only difference being that the 10 course after basic training may be done in OTC, not too sure on that one. I primarily dealt with enlisted accessions. I would call your local recruiter and ask he or she to give you the number to the officer accessions branch and ask them those particular questions about officer entry.

One thing you will have to keep in mind is that Pararescue is a hard enough job being a single person, its harder having a family. Pararescue is more than just sliding out of a helocopter and picking some one out of the water, this is a job where you will have to fight your way in and fight your way out and possibly have to be left behind to fend for your self.... I just wanted to throw that in, not many know the meat & potatoes about this job.

As for having to go back to BMT, no you wouldnt, but you will have to go thru OTS which is tougher than BMT. So essentially, Yes would be the answer.

The total training for Pararescue is just over a year. If you get into the PJ course, You are going to be living hell for the next year. You have to be Physically, & mentally ready for this job. 1200 are selected for the PJ course every year, more than 90 percent either wash out or quit with in the first few months. Some are due to medical issues. As we guys age, yes even in our thirties, knees give out and bones get broken...something else to think about.

Married with 2 rugrats would be MY main concern. I believe that you are ready for the training, or at least you think you are ready. The training is done in blocks and the training is not completed at one base, but at several. Since this job has a high washout rate, the air force will not move family members to each location. So again, I ask you...is your family ready for the long training as well?

Sean, my suggestion is to do more research...most of my research would be asking myself if putting my self into this kind of rigorous training is going to be worth the separation that it will most certainly cause. Not only is the training going to be tough on you, but its tougher on the family.

Weigh the consequenses, there are other positions that are jsut as rewarding to you that will not require as much of the family separation as this position requires.

I hope that I make sense in what I have told you. Yes PJs is an exciting job, but it carries a heavier burden for the family member too. I just want you to be sure that all your bases are covered...and to be truthful...when I was a recruiter, if the guy had family...(Kids) I wouldnt let them do it...

HW