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What is Pararescue?
 

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The below blue bookmarks will take you directly to the information referred to:

AFSC 1T2X1 - Pararescue

Pararescue Career Field Specialty Summary

Air Force Policy Directive 16-12 Pararescue

Unofficial PJ Description by PJ John Cassidy

 

AFSC 1T2X1 - Pararescue

A Note About AFSC's - In the Air Force, an enlisted job is known as an "AFSC" (Air Force Specialty Code.
In the Army & Marines, an enlisted job is called an "MOS" (Military Occupation Specialty).
In the Navy & Coast Guard, an enlisted job is called a "Rating."

Specialty Summary Performs, plans, leads, supervises, instructs, and evaluates Pararescue activities. . Performs as the essential surface, air link in Personnel Recovery (PR) and material recovery by functioning as the rescue and recovery specialist on flying status as mission crew or as surface elements. Provides rapid response capability and operates in the six geographic disciplines: mountain, desert, arctic, urban, jungle and water, day or night, to include friendly, denied, hostile, or sensitive areas. Provides assistance in and performs survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE). Provides emergency trauma and field medical care, and security. Moves recovered personnel and materiel to safety or friendly control when recovery by aircraft is not possible. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 050.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs mission planning and preparation. Studies operation mission requirements. Studies terrain and situation. Organizes and selects personnel, equipment, and weapons. Rehearses mission plan, makes reconnaissance, conducts back brief, safeguards information, and loads and configures aircraft. Issues warning order and provides mission plan objective brief.

Supervises and performs insertion, infiltration, exfiltration, and extraction functions. Conducts flight following, and confirms waypoint passage. Provides enroute emergency trauma and medical care. Provides and performs SERE. Provides recovery zone security and aircraft reception. Performs aerial and surface deployment methods to reach objective area. Uses aerial and surface methods to load and assist in loading objectives. Off-loads and transfers personnel and materiel. Prepares and dons mission and personal equipment. Performs inflight duties (if on flying status) to avoid and suppress air and surface threats through scanning, navigation assistance, and aerial gunnery operations. Performs nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare defense. Provides guidance and input to aircraft commander for on-scene operations and confirms insertion and extraction points and infiltration and exfiltration methods.

Performs, supervises, and evaluates surface movement. Navigates on land or water. Performs overt, low visibility, or clandestine movement in friendly, hostile, denied, or sensitive land and water areas. Conducts surface search, contact, and on-scene authentication. Designates rally points. Selects bivouac sites. Conducts discrete surface-to-air and surface electronic and visual communications and signaling activities. Uses firearms and munitions to provide movement security and perform immediate action drills. Directs emergency close air support (ECAS). Provides reception for resupply operations. Conducts scuba, adverse terrain, and mountain rescue and recovery operations. Provides on-scene triage and survivor handling. Provides survival and evasion assistance. Provides photographic documentation. Recovers priority aerospace personnel and material.

Provides intelligence and operations information in debriefings and mission reports.

Supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in recovery of aerospace personnel and materiel. Guides recovery of priority NASA space materiel.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: mission planning and preparation; aircraft and load characteristics; infiltration and exfiltration; insertion and extraction; surface movement; objective area actions; debriefing and reporting; team leader actions; emergency trauma and field medical care; basic and advance parachuting; adverse terrain and mountain operations; scuba and water operations; NBC warfare defense; SERE; night vision devices; firearms and munitions; communications and signaling; photographic documentation; legal responsibilities and ethics; vehicle operations; security, occupational safety and health, administration, and publications; individual fitness; and equipment qualification, inspection, maintenance, and accountability.
 

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school is desirable. Also, completion of a certified emergency medical technician or paramedic course is desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 1T231, completion of the following courses is mandatory:

Pararescue Indoctrination.

Airborne (Parachutist).

Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification.

Combat Survival Training.

United States Navy Underwater Egress Training.

Military Freefall Parachutist.

Special Operations Combat Medic Course.

Pararescue and Recovery Apprentice.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

1T251. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1T231. Also, experience performing Pararescue duties.

1T271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1T251. Also, experience performing or supervising Pararescue duties.

1T291. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1T271. Also, experience performing or managing Pararescue functions as a Pararescue team leader.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, physical qualification for aircrew, parachute, and marine diving duty according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examination and Standards.

For entry into this specialty, successful completion of the physical ability and stamina test (PAST).

For award and retention of AFSCs 1T231/51/71/91:

1. Qualification, currency, and proficiency as a static line and military freefall parachutist, and as a military scuba diver.

2. Certification from the National Registry (or State) for Emergency Medical Technicians as an emergency medical technician. After initial certification, continued certification is mandatory.

3. Eligibility for a Secret security clearance according to AFI 31-501, Personnel Security Program Management.

 

Pararescue Specialty Description

  • CEM Code 1T200
  • AFSC 1T291 Superintendent
  • Craftsman AFSC 1T271
  • Journeyman AFSC 1T251
  • Apprentice AFSC 1T231
  • Craftsman Helper AFSC 1T211

1. Specialty Summary. Supervises, plans, evaluates, and performs Pararescue activities. Performs surface or air link in search, rescue, and recovery (SRR) operations functioning as aircrew members, and as surface elements and teams. Provides rapid response capability in adverse geographic and environmental conditions on land or water. Operates in friendly, denied, hostile, or sensitive areas. Provides survival and evasion assistance, emergency and field medical care, and security. Moves recovered personnel and materiel to safety or friendly control when recovery by aircraft is not possible. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 050.

2. Duties and Responsibilities:

2.1. Supports mission planning and preparation. Responds to warning orders or aircrew mission requirements. Studies terrain and situation. Prepares mission equipment, weapons, and munitions. Rehearses mission plan, performs reconnaissance, conducts back brief, safeguards information, and loads and configures aircraft.

2.2. Supervises and performs insertion, infiltration, exfiltration, and extraction functions. Performs flight following, and confirms way-point passage. Performs aircrew duties to avoid and suppress air and surface threats through scanning, navigation assistance, and aerial gunnery operations. Provides guidance and input to aircraft commander for on-scene operations and confirms insertion point. Performs aerial insertion and extraction operations. Performs nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare defense. Provides and performs survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE). Provides enroute field medical care. Provides recovery zone security and aircraft reception. Uses aerial and surface methods to load and assist in loading objectives. Off-loads and transfers personnel and materiel.

2.3. Performs surface movement. Navigates on land or water, and conducts overt, low visibility, or clandestine movement in friendly, hostile, denied, or sensitive land and water areas. Directs and provides formation security. Designates and uses rallying points. Selects and prepares bivouac sites. Conducts surface search, contact, and on-scene authentication. Performs discrete electronic and visual communications and signaling activities. Uses firearms and munitions to perform immediate action drills and to provide security. Requests ground and aerial fire support. Provides reception for resupply operations. Performs scuba, adverse terrain, and mountain rescue operations. Provides on-scene triage and survivor handling. Provides emergency survival assistance and mission photographic documentation. Recovers priority aerospace material.

2.4. Provides intelligence and operations information in debriefings and mission reports.

2.5. Supports special missions. Supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in recovery of aerospace materiel. Guides recovery of priority NASA space materiel.

3. Specialty Qualifications:

3.1. Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: mission planning and preparation; aircraft and load characteristics; infiltration and exfiltration; insertion and extraction; surface movement; objective area actions; debriefing and reporting; team leader actions; emergency and field medical treatment; adverse terrain and mountain operations; water operations; NBC warfare defense; SERE; night vision devices; firearms and munitions; communications and signaling; photographic documentation; legal responsibilities and ethics; vehicle operations; security, occupational safety and health, administration, and publications; individual fitness; and equipment qualification, inspection, maintenance, and accountability.

3.2. Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or GED is mandatory. Also, completion of a certified emergency medical technician or paramedic course is desirable.

3.3. Training. For award of AFSC 1T231, completion of the following courses is mandatory:

3.3.1. Pararescue Indoctrination Training.

3.3.2. Airborne (Parachutist).

3.3.3. Combat Diver Qualification.

3.3.4. Combat Survival Training.

3.3.5. Water Survival Training.

3.3.6. United States Navy Underwater Egress Training.

3.3.7. Military Freefall Parachutist.

3.3.8. Pararescue Initial Qualification.

3.4. Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

3.4.1. 1T251. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1T231. Also, experience performing Pararescue duties and participating in SRR operations.

3.4.2. 1T271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1T251. Also, experience performing or supervising Pararescue duties and participating in SRR operations.

3.4.3. 1T291. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1T271. Also, experience performing or managing Pararescue functions and participating in SRR operations.

3.5. Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

3.5.1. For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, physical qualification for aircrew, parachute, and marine diving duty according to AFI 48-123,Medical Examination and Standards.

3.5.2. For entry into this specialty, successful completion of the physical ability and stamina test (PAST).

3.5.3. For award and retention of AFSCs 1T231/51/71/91:

3.5.3.1. Qualification as a static line and military freefall parachutist, and as a scuba diver.

3.5.3.2. Qualification, currency, and proficiency according to Pararescue operational directives.

3.5.3.3. Eligibility for a Secret security clearance according to AFI31-501, Personnel Security Management Program.

 

Air Force Policy Directive 16-12 Pararescue - 1 July 1998

The recovery of downed aircrew members and other isolated personnel during peacetime or combat operations is of great importance to the Air Force. Successful survivor/evader recovery returns valuable personnel to friendly control, increases aircrew morale, and denies adversaries the opportunity to exploit the intelligence and propaganda value of captured personnel. The Air Force requires a well trained, fully manned Pararescue force in order to preserve life and maintain an effective, global rescue and recovery capability in support of national defense strategy.

1. Pararescue is a component of the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) force or part of Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Teams (STS) and provides a capability Joint Force Commanders can use to recover combat aircrews and other isolated personnel in Personnel Recovery (PR)operations. Pararescue is the only DoD specialty specifically trained and equipped to conduct conventional or unconventional PR operations and is the force of choice for assisted survivor recovery. Pararescue performs as an essential air/ground interface in Air Force and Special Operations search, rescue, and recovery operations by functioning on flying status and as surface elements and teams. They provide a rapid response capability and operate in a wide range of adverse geographic and environmental conditions, day or night, on land or water, in friendly, denied, hostile, or sensitive areas. They also provide survival and evasion assistance, emergency and field trauma care, and security. Pararescue forces are capable of moving objectives (personnel and materiel) to safety or friendly control when direct recovery by aircraft is not possible.

2. Pararescue requirements are based on the following guidelines:

2.1. Pararescuemen will be qualified in accordance with AFM 36-2108.

2.2. Pararescuemen will be trained as a worldwide deployable resource capable of operations in any terrain or under any environmental conditions (both naturally occurring and induced). They can be successfully employed, day or night, in low, medium, or high threat environments.

3. The following responsibilities and authorities are established:

3.1. HQ USAF has oversight responsibility for Pararescue policy and career field management. Specifically, HQ USAF/XO will establish and approve policies pertaining to the training and employment of Pararescuemen, coordinate Mission Essential Tasks (MET) and measures to meet Pararescue validated requirements, and publish and update the Pararescue Career Field Education and Training Plan(CFETP).

3.2. MAJCOMs will organize, train, and equip Pararescue forces to meet worldwide deployment taskings; provide resources to support Pararescue combat tasks; ensure Pararescue programs are directed to meet qualifications IAW AFI 16-1203, Pararescue Training and Standarization/Evaluation; conduct Pararescue proficiency assessment; and develop, test, and validate proposed enhancements to Pararescue equipment and tactics based on validated mission needs and operational requirements documentation.

3.3. Gaining (supported) commands/units will direct by contingency plan or tasking message the mission requirements for deploying Pararescue personnel.

4. See Attachment 1 for measures used to comply with this policy.

5. See Attachment 2 for a listing of interfacing publications for related policies and procedures.

 

2002 Unofficial Definition of a PJ
 by John Cassidy (retired USAF PJ)
LINK TO JOHN'S WEBSITE

Officially established as an Air Force Specialty in July 1947, the linage of this occupation began with search and rescue operations conducted during WWII.  Although the original operational purpose of Pararescue was oriented to saving the lives of military aircrews downed on the battlefield often in enemy controlled territory, the diversity of capabilities led to the use of Pararescue forces since its conception in the full spectrum of situations to which the United States responds to militarily or provides military resources during times of disasters and emergencies to save lives. 

Qualification training to become an apprentice PJ begins with a selection process that involves physical fitness, academic testing, and a determination that the candidate has an intense motivation to be a Pararescueman. If selected to continue training, the Pararescue student enters a 12-month training schedule that includes Basic Airborne qualification, HALO qualification, Combat Swimmer/Diver qualification, basic combat infantry skills, and other training associated with Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE), basic emergency medical training, combat medical training, and paramedic certification.  After successful completion of all this training, the new PJ has earned the right to wear the maroon beret with Pararescue badge and bloused jump boots. 

Bloused trousers with combat boots and parachutist badge have been part of the Pararescue uniform since the conception of Pararescue. The distinctive maroon beret with Pararescue crest was approved for wear on May 26, 1966.   Other specialized duties have been added over the years to the basic essential tasks performed by all Pararescuemen.  Scuba/combat swimmer (SCUBA) qualification was added in 1964 and HALO/freefall qualification was added in 1985.  Thus all Pararescuemen perform the duties and are entitled to wear the basic or higher level badges of Parachutist, Diver-SCUBA, Military Free Fall, and aircrew.

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