... what would the 'next best thing' be for you?

Let me give a bit of background. I'm 23, and I'm a relatively successful software engineer. I make a decent living for my family, etc -- but I don't really contribute ... pretty much anything.

For the past few weeks I've been looking into options in military, law enforcement, etc, and when I started reading about PJs I just .. I don't even know how to describe it. You guys get people home to their families at the end of the day, and there is in my opinion no greater cause.

Here's the catch -- I've got a pretty solid red-green deficiency. When I saw normal color vision on the requirements I was initially determined to find a way around it, but after taking a variety of tests I guess I've come to terms with it. I'm significantly color deficient. I've read all about getting waivers, how rare it is, etc -- and at this point I've accepted that it's probably there for a decent reason. I think I could pass a "vivid" color test, but since the USAF doesn't do those anymore I don't see any way around it.

So, that's where my question comes in. If you found out that you couldn't be a PJ, where would you turn? It's such a unique position, is there anything else even similar? Maybe being a different sort of medic? I speak a little bit of Arabic, and I like learning new languages (and I've made a career around quickly picking up new programming languages), so I was looking at Airborne Cryptologic Linguist (do they ever get in the field, or is that just inside airplanes all day?) -- that doesn't seem to have the color restriction. I dunno. I'm feeling a little down, but I've not given up.

I'm in pretty decent shape for a civilian. I could pass the PAST today, which maybe isn't saying much but I'm not some out of shape nerd, despite my profession.

Thank you in advance, and best regards.

Ryan

(edit: My apologies for sticking this in the wrong forum -- the move is much appreciated.)

There's Joint Communications Unit (JCU), if you're interested in doing something high-speed while staying in the IT community...

Just did some reading on that, thanks for the lead. I'm not really determined to stay in the IT community, but I'm not vehemently opposed to it either. My main thing is that I want something where I'm not behind a desk for 10 hours each day, and I want something where my hard work is for a purpose. Right now I bust my arse for completely trivial ends.

Do you happen to know of somewhere I can learn more about what an Airborne Linguist does? I love language, so I'm intrigued, but I guess I don't want to be stuck inside a tube with headphones on all day. (I'd be cool with being outside a tube with headphones on, haha.)

It also sounds like to go for JCU I'd have to enlist and then after some years of service attempt to apply, is that correct?

The airborne linguists i know sit around in a tube all day. in front of screen. few rarely get to see the front lines. there are ground linguists. but i don't know their career options.
--------------

To answer your other question, i'd be settled to come back to offutt, to remain in my current job.

Yup...You'd have to enlist under a 3D career field for JCU. I didn't read too deep into the application process, but you're probably right...you'd have to wait until you receive your 5 level. Their website should have that info.

To answer your question...

My choices would probably be aerial gunner for a reserve rescue squadron (just saw a job listing the other day and it caught my eye). Or, coming back to my IT job, but I would try to get into the network warfare piece. It's always intrigued me and even though - like you - I'm tired of sitting behind a desk, I'd probably be happy and feel challenged.

I was in the 1A8 career field (abrn crypto ling) and I would not suggest going into it if you are not into sitting places. Not the most outdoorsy job. I know that even if you say you know some of a language, they wont necessarily put you in that language. And if you make it to the DLI (Defense Language Institute)be prepared to devote your entire life to learning that language/culture/country(s). It is definitely not an easy school, unless you memorize everything the first time you hear or see it. I dont know how hard, mentally, going through PJ/CCT schooling is, but I know most people entirely HATE life after a couple months in the DLI. Very intensive studying.
I have no answer about field time for 1A8s or 1N3s.

Thanks for the reply, Kunoichii. I agree with your assessment, I think I'd have a hard time with it as I'm looking to get into more of a 'boots on the ground' sort of role.

My family has a history of service in the Air Force, but I'm now looking at other branches that might have more roles for me. (And more lenient color vision tests.)

I haven't looked into the requirements for this but a Coast Guard Rescue swimmer would be pretty intense, and rewarding.

To ryanr: personally I think the Air Force is probably the best branch of the service to go into and would stick with that if you are able to find a specialty that you would enjoy. That being said, I believe you should take a look at doing Army Special Forces (Green Berets). From my understanding they do a vivid red/green test and not the Dvorine Test for acceptance into the qualification courses.
I mention this because in SF you could still go to a language school if they needed you to, and with your IT background you could become an 18 Echo communications sergeant working with computer systems. You would also be trained in small unit tactics and be airborne qualified for the "boots on the ground" aspect you want. So check into the 18 X-ray program with an Army recruiter, but not before you speak with an AF recruiter. It may be possible for you to still do TACP/SERE, or something along those lines.

Ryan- I think doogiesae gave you some good advice ref the Army SF route. I know it's obvious but make sure your family is good with you being gone upwards of 250-300 days per year either TDY or deployed. I hit 275+ last year and there are other more busy than I in the SOF community.

I don't know the Army Special Forces vision requirements...but seeing that you said "some other kind of medic," & "I speak a little Arabic" you should probably look into SF. You can try to become an SF medic (supposed to be the most difficult MOS) and if you test well on language aptitude you can probably get qualified in Arabic as well. Best of luck w/your decision