Here are a few questions for all CURRENT Operators within AFSOC. What is your take on AFSOC now incorporating TACP/JTACs into Special Tactics Squadrons? Do you agree or disagree? This topic is open for personal opinions. I've only spoken with a few operators in the past, and all have shown their support. I'm looking to see what the rest of the community has to say about it.

-Steve
"There are no problems, only solutions."

So is anyone going to comment on this or what?

This has been addressed before...use search.

I'm quite aware that this has been addressed. I'm simply interested in the personal opinions of those who have heard and already know of AFSOC's decision to add TACPs. Just about every other forum I've seen discussing this, has really only provided information about the change, and not people praising, bitching, or simply not caring one bit about this new step forward for the TACP community.

I am retired, so take my opinon with a grain of sand.
It was overdue, I know one senior STO who wanted this 10 years ago. It's another arrow in the quiver, and will strengthen both communities.

Pros and Cons.
Pros:
There are some truly great JTACs/Operators in TACP as good as anybody in any job anywhere.

STS needs more JTACs and this is a ready made source.
The selection process for AFSOC is run at STTS by Buddy McArthur and I have faith it will select only the best from TACP.

Cons:
Possible detriment to CCT Pipeline; why do the harder CCT Pipeline and put up with the rigors of water con if you can end up with nearly the same job, at the same squadron, on the same missions as a TACP?

Possible friction at the squadron level; there may be harsh words and harsh feelings between gung ho and immature young Airmen when the guy who quit at the pool shows up at the same STS. water Con is a funny thing and I don't judge against guys who can't overcome the fear of the water, but many CCTs and PJs do, especially the younger guys.

My opinion is that it will all work out fine and be for the betterment of STS and for the Air Force. As a Former TACP and CCT, now a STO, I can tell you that STS and TACP need to be united. Remember, the Army would much rather have a Soldier doing CAS and ATC on the battlefield. We don't need to fight, we need to unite.

Boy now I'm getting confused, I've been gearing up towards PJ, then my recruiter sent me to Romad.com, then I found some info on SERE, then CCT, I'm having a hard time making up my mind, I originally wanted to go PJ with the thought of how much I'd like to see a team of PJ's come through the brush if I was a downed pilot, but I want the combat training experience, I read the thread where PJ snipers were mentioned, I shoot sub MOA at 1000 yds. now, I'd love further training in sniper.
Guard I see you've been though it all, can you and anybody else lend some experienced advice?

Read the job discriptions of each AFSC. See what their primary mission is and if it appeals to you. None of do that much sniping thoug PJ and CCT both have long range sniper rifles and some get special training to use them. We are shooters when we have to be, and usually pretty good, but that isn't our mission.
Do a search and you will see this has been discussed a lot.
Here are some thought for you to consider.

SERE-They are very well trained in survival, evasion, resistance and escape. They are great trainers and facilitors but they are not the guys going out to battle the enemy or rescue people.

TACP-Trained to call in Air Strikes and perform ground combat. 95% time assigned to an Army unit and living on an Army base. You don't start off calling air strikes and may end up just processing requests for fire or monitoring the radio. You could end up at an armor, armored cavalry, mechanized infantry, light infantry unit right off the bat, probably not assigned to special operations your first enlistment. Generally you start out learning from and supporting an experienced JTAC qualified TACP. Once you get enough experience and training, you get a chance to become a JTAC yourself. Also less rigorous selection/pipeline and lower training and equipment budget. Getting better all the time. If you do well at a regular unit, then you MAY (no guarantees) get to try out for STS then you MAY get selected to go to an STS.

PJ-You are the best trained rescue and recover guy on the planet. Can operate as part of a flight crew on helos or C-130s, or run around on the ground doing rescues. Very good selection and training pipeline, usually outstanding training and equipment at the unit level.

CCT-Trained Air Traffic Controller who may (with any talent) be trained to call air strikes/gunships/other fire support. You usually start off learning the basics as part of an Assault Zone Team (surveying/assessing, establishing, operating landing zones and drop zones) and practicing all the radio, employment and field skills you need. As you get better at the basics, you will be exposed to the fire support side of things, usually within a year of arriving at your first base. If you are good at fire support, you earn your JTAC rating and will spend most of your time on deployments as a one man fire support shop to other SOF Teams.

There is a lot more to it than this but you can do a search for more.