5.1.1.2. Procedure: The exercise begins with the students lined
up at one end of the pool. The
instructor will initiate the start of the exercise. On the command "Go," the students will swim underwater
from one end of the pool to the other (25 meters) without surfacing. Upon touching the opposite wall they will
swim a freestyle sprint back to the starting point. Upon return, they will be allowed to rest the remainder of the
specified time period. The exercise is
repeated on the command "Go" until the student has completed the
required number of underwaters. To
satisfactorily complete this exercise the student must leave the wall
immediately on command and remain underwater until reaching the opposite
wall. He must also sprint as quickly as
possible back to the starting point. A
student will be given one warning for unsatisfactory performance and on the
next occurrence will be scored unsatisfactory for the exercise.
5.2. WATER
CONFIDENCE TRAINING. The intent
of this training is to increase your confidence in the water, increase the
amount of time you can spend underwater, and increase your ability to react
calmly and rationally in high stress situations. The following pool training events will be evaluated during Phase
II.
WARNING:
The following water
confidence exercise descriptions are included for your information only! Do not attempt to do these exercises unless
you have a lifeguard standing by for safety.
Doing these events may lead to "shallow water blackout." If this condition occurs a lifeguard must be
immediately available to prevent brain damage or death.
5.2.1. Mask and Snorkel Recovery
5.2.1.1. Equipment.
5.2.1.1.1. Mask.
5.2.1.1.2. Snorkel.
5.2.1.1.3. T-shirt.
5.2.1.2. Procedure.
5.2.1.2.1. Mask.
Clearing the water from a flooded mask involves replacing the water with
expelled air. The air, being lighter
than the water, will force the water out of the lowest portion of the mask, if
the upper portion is held to the face by light hand pressure to prevent the
escape of air. The amount of hand
pressure and the position of the hand will vary, depending on the mask, and
personal technique.
5.2.1.2.2. Snorkel.
To clear the water from a flooded snorkel while on the surface, exhale
or puff through the snorkel. The column
of air will displace the water and expel it from the snorkel. You may also tilt your head back when on the
surface and gravity will clear the snorkel for you.
5.2.1.2.3. The mask and snorkel exercise begins with
all students at one end of the pool.
The instructor will then throw or place the student's mask and snorkel a
specified distance from the student.
This exercise is accomplished one or two students at a time. On the command "GO", the student
will leave the surface of the pool and swim underwater to the location of his
mask and snorkel. Upon reaching them,
he will place the snorkel between his knees and position the mask on his
face. Once positioned, he will clear
the mask of water, retaining a small amount of air. He will then make a controlled ascent to the surface with the
snorkel in his mouth and left arm extended above his head with a clenched
fist. Once on the surface he will clear
the snorkel and give the "OK" hand signal to the evaluating
instructor. He will ensure he is facing
the instructor and immediately demonstrate that his mask and snorkel are clear
by looking up at the instructor and breathing through the snorkel. A small amount of water in the mask is permissible
as long as it does not exceed the top of the nose indents. While on the surface, the student will not
break the mask or snorkel seal until the exercise has been graded and he is
permitted to do so by the instructor.
This exercise will be scored unsatisfactory if the student surfaces prior
to clearing the mask or fails to satisfactorily perform in any of the above
listed areas.
5.2.2. Buddy Breathing/Water Confidence
5.2.2.1. Equipment.
5.2.2.1.1. Face masks.
5.2.2.1.2. One snorkel per two‑man team.
5.2.2.1.3. T-shirt.
5.2.2.2. Procedure.
This exercise is conducted in the deep end of the pool. Students will
enter the water when directed by the instructor. On the command "START", they will place their faces
into the water and begin to survival float while buddy breathing from one
snorkel. During the exercise period,
the students will maintain control of each other with one hand. With the other hand they will maintain
control and pass the snorkel between each other. A student should try to consider his buddy's limited air supply
and take only one breath before passing the snorkel back. During this exercise the students will
breath only through the snorkel. At no
time will they remove their heads from the water and breath from the
surface. The exercise period ends on
the command "TIME." To
satisfactorily complete this exercise, each student must keep his face in the
water during the entire exercise period.
He must remain calm, maintain control of himself, his buddy, and the
snorkel. The student will be given one
warning for unsatisfactory performance and on the next occurrence will be
scored unsatisfactory for the exercise.
Pool harassment is added as a more intense form of buddy breathing. It involves the instructor entering the
water and providing the students with certain stressful situations to see if a
student will panic. The same standards
apply to this exercise. During pool
harassment the instructor may try to:
5.2.2.2.1. Take the snorkel (don't let him).
5.2.2.2.2. Remove the facemask.
5.2.2.2.3. Attempt to separate partners (don't let him)
5.2.2.2.4. Cut off your air supply for one or two
breaths.
5.2.2.2.5. Splash water.
5.2.2.2.6. Push students underwater.
5.2.2.2.7. Other maneuvers at his discretion.
5.2.3. Drownproofing
5.2.3.1.
Equipment.
5.2.3.1.1. Mask, ropes or velcro hand/leg cuffs.
5.2.3.2.
Procedure.
5.2.3.2.1.
Drownproofing is accomplished in four tasks. Students will be divided into pairs with one student acting as a
safety. The exercise begins with the
student’s hands and feet bound and the student standing on the deck in the deep
end of the pool. The instructor will
walk by each student and “tap” the student into the water. The student will enter the water and start
to bob.
5.2.3.2.1.1.
The first task is bobbing.
Bobbing is accomplished by sinking to the bottom of the pool. Upon reaching the bottom, bend your knees
and push off the bottom, exhaling until you reach the surface. When your head
reaches the surface inhale and begin the process again.
5.2.3.2.1.2.
The second task is floating.
Floating is accomplished by inhaling as much air as possible into your
lungs. The student will then tuck his
chin into his chest, bend forward at the waist and relax, staying within a 4x4
meter square. When air is required, you
will bring your head out of the water, breathe, and then go back to the float
position. Students will not touch the
bottom or sides of the pool and are required to stay in the square.
5.2.3.2.1.3.
The third task is the traveling.
The student will dolphin kick 100 meters without touching the bottom or
sides of the pool. The dolphin kick is
accomplished on your stomach, body bent at the waist and your head moving up
and down in the water. Your feet and
knees will propel you through the pool.
5.2.3.2.1.4.
The fourth task consists of flips and mask recovery. Once the travel is complete the student will
begin bobbing again. Within five bobs you will accomplish a front flip
underwater. Within another five bobs
you will accomplish a backward flip underwater. Once both flips are complete, a mask is thrown to the bottom of
the pool. The student will go to the
bottom, pick up the mask with his teeth, and complete five bobs.
5.2.3.3.
After all tasks are complete, the instructor will yell “TIME”. The safety will assist the “bobber” out of
the water. To successfully complete
this exercise the student must accomplish all of the above tasks in sequence
and without panicking. If unable, he
will be scored unsatisfactory for the exercise.
5.2.4. Treading Water
5.2.4.1. Equipment.
5.2.4.1.1. T-shirt.
5.2.4.2. Procedure.
The exercise begins with the student moving from waist deep water into
deep water. On the command "HANDS
UP," the student will raise their hands out of the water and tread water
by using their legs only. Correct form
for the exercise requires the hands and head to stay above the water for the
minimum time limit. The kicking motion
is the key to the exercise. The
student's motion with the legs should be in an eggbeater fashion, with the legs
coming together simultaneously or alternatively. The motion of the legs must also be both rhythmical and forceful
to maintain positive buoyancy of the student.
The student must ensure their hands and their head do not break the
waterline for the minimum evaluated time.
5.2.5. Weight Belt Swim
5.2.5.1. Equipment.
5.2.5.1.1. Mask.
5.2.5.1.2. Fins.
5.2.5.1.3. Booties and T-shirt.
5.2.5.1.4. 16 lb weight belt.
5.2.5.2. Procedure.
The exercise begins when the student moves from waist deep water into
the deep end of the pool. The student
must swim on his side, either left or right, with the leading arm out in front,
continuously for the designated period of time. While swimming, the student cannot switch from his left to right
side or vice versa (the side you start on is it), swim on his back, or touch
any portion of the pool (sides or bottom).
The student can use his other arm to assist in a "recovery
stroke" to help lift his head out of the water to breath.
5.3.
Additional training events will include
5.3.1. Minimum
of a 6 mile @40-60 lb ruck march
5.3.2.
Multiple calisthenics sessions
5.3.3.
Leadership Reaction Course
5.3.4.
Psychological Testing
5.3.5.
Briefing and Writing
5.4. Those who successfully
complete Phase II and are selected by the board will enter the training
pipeline. Applicants will be advised individually of their selection status on
the last day of phase II. If selected
for entry into the Combat Rescue Officer career field, a letter will be sent to
your commander, and to our AFMPC resource manager indicating your status. Applicants who are not selected may reapply
using the process as indicated in paragraph 5.2 above.
5.4.1.
Quarters and/or meals may not be available to candidates during Phase
II. Each individual should be prepared
to bear the cost of these services if a no‑cost option cannot be
arranged. (Tent City is always an option) Local transportation, to/from
quarters, and at the Phase II selection site will be provided.
5.4.2. The most difficult part of the pipeline is the indoctrination
course. It is designed to prepare
students for the remainder of the pipeline and cut from the class those
individuals who will not be successful in the career field. It is intentionally very difficult. Those who fail to successfully complete any
requirement throughout the pipeline will be eliminated from further
qualification training and referred to AFMPC for reclassification.
Occasionally, students may be washed‑back from a class for
medical/physical reasons, etc. Students
who self‑eliminate from any pipeline course will be dropped from the
program and referred to AFMPC for reclassification.
6. THE
TRAINING PIPELINE.
Your training will take approximately 12-18 months and includes eight
schools. You will be offered to take
leave at some point during training, but this cannot be guaranteed. Students travel from school to school as a
class, with the ranking student in charge.
Training consists of the following schools:
6.1. The
Pararescue Indoctrination Course.
10 weeks, Lackland AFB, TX. The
mission of the Pararescue indoctrination course is to recruit, train, and
select future Pararescuemen and CROs.
At this school you will participate in extensive physical conditioning
with lots of swimming, running, weight training and calisthenics. This course helps prepare you for the rigors
of training and the demands of these lifestyles. Other training accomplished at this course includes physiological
training, obstacle course, dive physics, metric manipulations, medical
terminology, dive terminology, CPR, weapons qualifications, history of
Pararescue, and leadership laboratories.
Graduation of this course is “your ticket to ride” the pipeline and
begin learning those special skills that make Pararescuemen highly regarded
operators.
6.2. U.S.
Army Airborne School. 3 weeks, Fort
Benning, GA. Here you learn the basic
parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line
airdrop. This course includes ground
operations week, tower week, and jump week where you make 5 actual parachute
jumps. Personnel who complete this
training are awarded the basic parachutist rating and are allowed to wear the
coveted parachutists wings.
6.3. U.S.
Army Combat Divers School. 4 weeks,
Key West, FL. Here you become a combat
diver and learn to use SCUBA to infiltrate areas surrounded by water
undetected. This course provides
training to depths of 130 ft, stressing development of maximum underwater
mobility under various operating conditions.
6.4. U.S.
Navy Underwater Egress Training. 1
day, Pensacola NAS, FL. This course
teaches how to safely escape from an aircraft that has ditched in the
water. Instruction includes principles,
procedures, and techniques necessary to get out of a sinking aircraft. Training requires personnel to actually
experience water entry in a training device and perform underwater egress.
6.5. U.S.
Air Force Basic Survival School.
2.5 weeks, Fairchild AFB, WA.
This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas--using
minimal equipment. This includes
instruction of principles, procedures, equipment, and techniques which enable
individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly
environments, and return home.
6.6. Introduction
to Personnel Recovery (PR 101). 3
Days, Ft. Belvoir VA. PR 101 is
conducted by the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) and is an introduction
to the DoD Personnel Recovery system.
6.7. Joint
Aerospace Command and Control course:
14 Days, Hurlburt Field, Fla. This entry-level course
focuses on application of joint airpower in support of theater CINC's/JFC's.
Specific objectives focus on joint air operations in a theater battle at the
operational level of war. This course covers basic doctrine, mission, and
organization of the services; the Theater Air Ground System, command, control,
and communications systems; intelligence support capabilities; tactical
missions and major weapons systems used in joint operations; capabilities and
limitations of command and control warfare (C2W) concepts/strategy; and the
computer decision support systems and Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS)
computer tools used in current operations. The course follows a process
including lectures, seminars, hands-on computer activities, a C2 exercise prior
to the final exam, and end-of-course IQT certification by functional area.
6.8. U.S.
Army Military Free fall Parachutist School. 5 weeks, Ft. Bragg, NC. and Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ. This course instructs free fall parachuting
(HALO) using the high performance ram air canopy. The course provides wind tunnel training, in-air instruction
focusing on student stability, aerial maneuvers, air sense, and parachute
opening procedures. Each student receives
a minimum of 30 free fall jumps including 2 day and 2 night jumps with supplemental
oxygen, rucksack, and load bearing equipment.
6.9. USAF Pararescue School: 17 Weeks, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. Qualifies students in mountaineering, advanced land
navigation, weapons handling, pyrotechnics, escape and evasion, small team tactical
combat operations, survival procedures and techniques, tactical and rescue
parachute insertions, both day and night, in high altitude regions, forests,
open oceans, with and without equipment loads, and in Rigging Alternate
Method-Zodiac (RAMZ). Qualifies students in alternate insertion and extraction
(AIE) from rotary wing aircraft. Qualifies students as mission crewmembers on
H-60 and HC-130 aircraft. Includes academics, practical training, testing, and
evaluation in academics and field environments, flying training, and flight
aircraft.
7. PREPARATION FOR
TRAINING.
Because of the unique physical demands required by these specialties,
volunteer should prepare themselves prior to Phase II. A basic plan is included below. You need to read the following information
to help you prepare effectively. The
more effort you put into preparation, the easier Phase II will be.
7.1. Cardiorespiratory
Training. This training develops efficiency in oxygen transfer through
activities that increase the heart rate to a training level and maintain it for
at least 20 minutes. Running and
swimming are the two training areas you need to work on prior to Phase II.
7.1.1. Running. You will be required to do extensive running
during Phase II. These runs progress
rapidly and will vary up to 50 minutes and longer in duration. In preparation, you should run 3 - 4 times
per week for 20 to 30 minutes, at a speed you can maintain without walking or
stopping. You should be able to run 3
miles under 21 minutes prior to Phase II.
7.1.2. Swimming. A candidate may swim 2000 meters or more in
a typical session. In preparation, you
should swim 1500 - 2000 meters, 3 - 5 times per week. You should be able to swim 1500 meters under 37 minutes using
freestyle.
7.2. Strength
and Endurance Training. The
training and mission rigors of Special Tactics will make strong demands on your
overall strength and endurance capabilities.
Strength is your ability to exert a strong force. Endurance is your ability to exert this
force for a prolonged period of time.
Your preparation must be geared toward developing a balance of strength
and endurance throughout your body.
This is best achieved with calisthenics (or weight training) that
targets all your major muscle groups.
If you are already involved in a weight training program, continue; but
revise your workouts to develop strength and endurance (8-12 repetition sets).
Also include calisthenics as an addition.
7.2.1.
Pull-ups/chin-ups (develop the back and biceps). This is a two-count exercise. Starting position is hanging from the bar,
palms facing away (pull-ups) or towards you (chin-ups), hands spread
approximately shoulder width, with no bend in the elbow. Count one, pull the body up until the Adam’s
apple is above the bar, with the chin held level. Count two, return to the starting position. Legs are allowed to bend, but must not be
kicked or manipulated to aid the upward movement. You should be able to do 12 - 20 repetitions for this exercise
prior to Phase II.
7.2.2. Sit-ups
(develop the abdominals and hip flexors).
This is a two count exercise.
Starting position is back flat on the ground, fingers interlocked behind
the head, head off the mat, and knees bent at
approximately 90 degrees. The
feet (only) are held by another individual during the exercise. Count one, sit up to where the shoulders and
hips from a line perpendicular to the ground (biceps are touching the
knees). Count two, return to the
starting position. There is no rest
position during this exercise. The
buttocks must remain in contact with the ground, and the fingers must remain
interlocked and behind the head. You
should be able to perform 60 - 100 repetitions before Phase II.
7.2.3.
Push-ups (develop the chest, triceps, and shoulders). Push-ups are a two count exercise. Starting position is hands approximately
shoulder width apart with arms straight, the legs are extended, and the back
and legs remain straight. Count one,
lower the chest until the elbows extend above the shoulder blades. Count two, return to the starting
position. The only authorized rest
position is the starting position. You
should be able to do 65 - 80 repetitions of this exercise prior to Phase II.
7.2.4.
Flutter-kicks (develop the hip flexors, abdominals, and legs). This is a four-count exercise. Starting position is laying flat on the back
with the feet and head approximately 6 inches off the ground. Hands are under the buttocks, fists are
clenched to support the lower back.
Count one, raise the left leg off the ground to a 45-degree angle,
keeping the right leg stationary. Count
two, raise the right leg off the ground to a 45-degree angle while, at the same
time, moving the left leg to the starting position. Counts three and four are repeats of the same movements. Legs must be locked, with toes pointing away
from the body. There is no rest during
this exercise period. You should be
able to do 80 - 100 repetitions of this exercise prior to Phase II.
7.3. Flexibility. This is your ability to move all your joints
through a full range of motion. Warm-up
and cool-down periods that include stretching exercises should be incorporated
into all workouts to improve flexibility and prevent injury. Key guidelines to remember:
7.3.1.
Always warm-up by doing light activities before stretching.
7.3.2.
Stretches should not involve jerky movements. A stretch should be assumed slowly and held.
7.3.3. The
longer you hold a stretch, the better flexibility you will achieve. Stretches should be held between 15 seconds to
2 minutes.
7.4. Body
Composition. Body composition is
your ratio of lean body mass (bones and muscle), as compared to unlean (fat)
body mass. If you have excess body fat,
it will negatively affect your physical capabilities. Even a thin person can have an unhealthy body composition by not
having enough muscle mass. An easy way
to gauge your condition is to view yourself in a mirror. If you are unhappy with the way your body
looks, then you probably need to work on your body composition. Exercises, especially Cardiorespiratory, and
sensible eating habits are the best ways to improve your body composition. If you decide to improve your body
composition with dieting, you must exercise!
If not, you will lose muscle mass along with the fat which will leave
you weak and unhealthy. Successful
PJ/CRO trainees typically have less than 13% body fat.
8. NUTRITION: Proper
nutrition is extremely important now and especially when you arrive at the
Phase II. You must make sure you
receive the necessary nutrients to obtain maximum performance output during
exercise and to promote muscle/tissue growth and repair. The proper diet provides all the nutrients
for the body’s needs and supplies energy for exercise. It also promotes growth and repair of tissue
and regulates the body process. The
best source of energy for candidates is carbohydrates. The best sources of complex carbohydrates
are potatoes, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. These type of foods are best sources of energy.
8.1.
Carbohydrates, protein, and fat are three energy nutrients. All three can provide energy, but
carbohydrates is the preferred source of energy for physical activity. It takes at least 20 hours after exhaustive
exercise to completely restore muscle energy, provided 600 grams of
carbohydrates are consumed per day.
During successive days of heavy training, like you will experience at
Phase II, energy stores prior to each training session become progressively
lower. This is a situation in which a
high carbohydrate diet can help maintain your energy. The majority of carbohydrates should come from complex
carbohydrate foods that include bread, crackers, cereal, beans, peas, starchy
vegetables, and other whole grain or enriched grain products. Fruits are also loaded with carbohydrates. During training, more than four servings of
these food groups should be consumed daily.
8.2. Water
is the most important nutrient you can put in your body. You should be consuming up to four quarts of
water daily. It is very easy to become
dehydrated at Phase II so it is extremely important to hydrate yourself. Drink water before you get thirsty!! Substances such as alcohol, caffeine, and
tobacco increase your body’s need for water.
So if you are going to drink, do so in moderation! Too much of these substances will definitely
harm your body or hinder your performance.
NUTRIENT INTAKE
Carbohydrates 50 - 70% of calories
Protein 10
- 15% of calories
Fats 20
- 30% of calories
Note: You will need at least 3500 - 5000 calories
per day to maintain proper fitness levels.
Mission
Readiness Upgrade Training. Upon
graduation from Pararescue School, the student is awarded the maroon beret and
the combat rescue officer entry level AFSC.
He is then assigned to a rescue squadron (RQS), normally as an assistant
or Flight Commander. After completing
his initial combat readiness standards tests he is deemed “combat ready” and
will maintain his proficiency and currency training in accordance with regulations.
10.
Career opportunities. The CRO career field offers a number of
operational and staff assignments in many organizations including the Air
Staff, joint staffs, and operational squadrons/flights located throughout the
CONUS and OCONUS. The USAF will have
approximately 163 officer authorizations (100 active duty, 63 ANG/AFRC) from 2nd
Lieutenant through Colonel. As a “new”
CRO your options are normally limited to one of the larger CRO led rescue
squadrons allowing you to receive the right training and mentorship from senior
CROs. As a CRO your primary emphasis is
on ensuring your team is combat ready and conducting mission management. CROs are expected to lead from the front and
set the example for our highly motivated and extremely professional enlisted
corp. It will be your charge upon entering the pipeline not only to get you,
but your whole team through it. You
must stay on top of all your troops requirements and needs and ensure you have
the right balance to accomplish the assigned task or mission.
11.1. Additionally, fully qualified Combat
Rescue Officers earn hazardous duty pay (High Altitude Low Opening [HALO]: $225 per month, and Combat Diver [SCUBA]:
$150 per month).
12. A
final note about Combat Rescue Officer duty. The selection and training process is difficult enough, but once
an officer qualifies, the position of leadership and continuation training is
demanding. There are significant
personal dangers involved with the mission and, often, extended periods of duty
away from home. The decision to go‑for‑it
should not be made alone, regardless of an applicant's conviction and personal
commitment. The family should be
considered. Wives and children often
experience anxieties, fears, loneliness, and pressures associated with the
service member's profession. Those who
do adjust find an exciting and rewarding life that they may share with fellow
operators and their families. Good
luck!
13. Related World Wide Web Pages:
13.2. Specialtactics.com
Specialtactics.com
