I was told by my recruiter that I have to list at least 4 jobs that Id like to do. Ok np. Then she said that I cannot put down any special forces jobs like TACP, Pararescue, or CCT due to having a physical test before I can get one of those jobs. Ok...but how does the contract work then? Does it have to be listed that I want to "try out" for these jobs before they place me in one of the other 4 that I was allowed to put down?

Im a little confused on this and would like some clarity before I head to MEPS and sign away.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Ecko70:
I was told by my recruiter that I have to list at least 4 jobs that Id like to do. Ok np. Then she said that I cannot put down any special forces jobs like TACP, Pararescue, or CCT due to having a physical test before I can get one of those jobs. Ok...but how does the contract work then? Does it have to be listed that I want to "try out" for these jobs before they place me in one of the other 4 that I was allowed to put down?

Im a little confused on this and would like some clarity before I head to MEPS and sign away.

Thanks

Why haven't you asked your recruiter to clarify this?

I don't know the specifics of USAF SOF contracts, but in other services, recruits wanting to get into SOF units have to qualify to even *try out* for the opportunity. Special Operations personnel need to be the cream of the crop. In the Army, there is Option 40 for the chance to try out for the Rangers; 18X for the chance to try out for Special Forces. The Navy has the "SEAL Challenge." I did see a few documentaries about PJ training; the attrition (aka "washout") rate is pretty high, and the training pipeline is something like 2 years.

So you would have to be in excellent shape and have certain qualifications just to try out for these specialized programs. Call your recruiter and get exact details before you sign your contract.

Good Luck!

Matt
SPC, AV
US Army
OCS Selectee
Class 303-10

you can get your recuriter to set up the test before you go in.. I did for SERE years ago they came out I did the eval and they said yay or nay.
and I was overseas so getting people out there took more work then stateside but they came out for 3 of us.

have you read and been shown the requirements for each so you can start training?

Whatever jobs you list at MEPS will have no bearing on getting a SOF contract for the AF.

My son originally wanted to be a CCT. At MEPS he listed aircrew jobs and ATC and two weeks later his recruiter said he got a loadmaster slot. He wasn't scheduled to leave for another 5 months (had to wait to graduate HS) and was told that he could the PAST test for CCT anytime before leaving and if he passed it they would tear up his load contract and give him a new CCT contract.

Ultimately, he realized how lucky he was to get the load slot and decided to stick with it instead. "A bird in the hand"...if you know what I mean. CCT and Pararescue have very high wash-out rates and if that happens to you you won't have any say on where they put you.


BTW, google PAST and the name (or AFSC) of one of the above jobs to find out what the test encompasses. And remember, those are the MINIMUMS. If you can do the 500 meter swim, but just barely, you're gonna be in a world of hurt when you need to step it up to 5000 meters in actual training.