Okay so im SET on doing pararescue and have been training hard for it.
I sat down with my recruiter yesterday and went over my line scores and told him that I want to do pararescue.. and this is were the problem comes in.
So he tells me that since I havent taken the PAST test yet, that when I go to meps to put down my "7 or so" jobs Im willing to do that I CANT put down pararescue.. and that once I pass the PAST test that pararescue will be put on my contract..
is this true?? Can you really not put down ANY Spec ops jobs that require a PAST test on you job list if you havent done the PAST test yet? or is he just trying to put me in a job I dont want?
He is telling the truth. Atleast that is the way that I did it. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I went to MEPS and put down random jobs. Then I went and took the PAST another day. Once I passed it he put me in for SERE GTEP.
you guys need to get on the special tactics website or the AFSOC link to find a STS recruiter near you. they can set your recruiter straight and help you out by not running you through a maze.just goggle afsoc or sts recruiter
The process is you enlist in the Air Force, go to MEPS and get your physical and pick an available job.
If there are no medical DQ conditions and you meet the other eligibility standards, you come back, take the PAST and if you pass it, your job is changed to the desired Pararescue/CCT/SOWT/SERE speciality. Not sure about TACP, but probably the same.
What your recruiter told you is correct. Funnily enough, my recruiter actually let me take the PAST before MEPS. But at MEPS I still had to put down jobs other than CCT/PJ. After that, due to my recruiter's foul-up, I had to retake the PAST and then finally get my GTEP contract for Combat Control.
I went to MEP's couldn't put down what I wanted so I chose Security Forces.. the following week I took my PAST and passed and got a new TACP contract.. so just put down whatever choice you would want to have if the PAST test falls through, I hope it doesn't.
Yes the standards are different, but for the sake of helping this person I thought I'd relay my experience..
The reason I chose TACP over CCT is because I'm not a strong swimmer.. I mean I can swim, just not to the standards required for CCT, as in Indoc you will be doing drownproofing, etc. I figured by the time I got myself in shape and ready enough for CCT, I could've already been working hard at TACP trying to make a difference.. I wanted to get in ASAP and I was comfortable with both TACP and CCT; CCT just has that swimming kicker..
I leave in less than 2 months so we will see how TACP works out, I'm excited regardless! And I have not been educated on the major differences between TACP / CCT so I don't know what it is exactly I would be missing out on.. feel free to enlighten me
well, nothing against TACP's, they are a good bunch.CCT offers alot of choices within the careerfield. CCT pipeline is a little long but you meet the standard they can turn you into a good combat controller, that's what the pipeline is made to do, also it is made to weed out the unfit and mentally unfit personnel. Combat Controllers are out all over afghanistan and every hostile place, they never stay at one location calling CAS as JTAC's. They are shooting,bombing and taking the fight to the enemy everyday. They are always involved in every large scale op,mission and are battle proven!. Just look at the latest Air Force Cross recipient.... A combat controller. Not only are CCT's JTAC's, but they are doing exactly what there motto is saying. "FIRST THERE!" with taking over airfield's, austere airfields. Freefall,staticline jumping, and combat divers. any other questions just ask...
from what I understood TACPs did the same thing? major difference was CCT's do Spec Ops Units and TACPs do conventional?.. I 've asked so many questions and talked to so many people but I am still not exactly sure of the differences :/
Originally posted by ShayneT: I 've asked so many questions and talked to so many people but I am still not exactly sure of the differences :/
Well that's for sure. The two career fields differ, but not in the way you just described.
quote:
CTT provides command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C3ISR) to assist, control and enable the application of manned and unmanned, lethal and non-lethal airpower in all geographic and environmental conditions across the full spectrum of military operations. Includes terminal control (air traffic control [ATC]) and targeting, and control of air strikes (including close air support [CAS]) and use of visual and electronic aids to control airheads and enable precision navigation. Provides long-range voice and data command and control and communications. Performs tactical level surveillance and reconnaissance functions, fusing organic and remote controlled technologies and manned platforms to build the common operating picture (COP).
quote:
TACP directly assists, controls, enables, and executes operational air and space power functions in the forward battlespace independent of an established airbase or its perimeter defenses. May be employed alone or as part of an Air Force, joint, interagency or coalition force, to support Combatant Commander’s objectives and may operate under the most austere conditions for extended periods. Performs and manages Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) and Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) operations.
The common skill qualification is control of air strikes (Close Air Support). Not all TACP members and CCT members get the USJFCOM-accredited Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Qualification as there are strictly adhered to prerequisites to be eligible for both the qualification and authorization to perform such duties. Most CTT members are assigned to a USSOCOM/AFSOC Special Tactics Squadron. The majority of TACP members are assigned to support conventional army units with the lesser in numbers minority of TACP are USSOCOM/AFSOC supporting Army Special Forces and US Army Ranger units.
those are definitely good responses for the differences between CCT and TACP, from the operator standpoint is that 1. Combat Controllers are first into the battlefield with airfield seizures, air traffic control, control FARPs(forward air refueling points) in austere areas, perform the most critical Landing Zone surveys in the most austere areas that are hostile to bring in any US FORCES.2. Additionally combat controllers are combat dive,halo and staticline qualified to be able to be assigned to any special forces,naval special warfare and recon force out there. 3. combat controllers are superior in communication skills with more advanced and up to date training on the most capable systems in theater. so in the big picture combat controller offer more to the fight and are the full package warrior that can shoot,move and communicate.
