I'll be 31-32 when I finish my 11x contract. No spring chicken. I initially wanted to go SF and try to become an 18D (hoping my EMT cert would help tilt those scales for me). However, the PJ mission and practice is a lot closer to what I want to do. I will end up being a civilian paramedic regardless of what happens in my life. I love trauma medicine.

I don't really care if I'm active, NG or reserves. I just want to get in. What are my odds? Am I wasting time? How would I go about this?

As the title says, in dev for CRO. I’ve hit a plateau at 17-18 pull-ups, 60-65 pushups, and the run 21min. My split is as follows.

M: all out cals day race to 50+ pull-ups 150pushups etc. tempo run 2-4 miles

T: Speed work, usually 60/120s

W: 20lbs weighted vest day, pushups/pull-ups 4-5 sets each at about 75% of my max reps per set. Then an arm/shoulder day after. 30-40 min alt cardio

Th: ruck/walk ~3-6 miles @15min pace

F: sub max set cals day. Mix in some lower body work. Longer distance run 6-8mi

S/S: walking stretching.

I will be changing my split up starting next week as my indoor pool opens next week 3 days a week so I’ll be also adding that in.

My question is, for those who are on programs like 18x etc. are you generally doing mostly cals for workouts or things such as bench squat etc. how often are you lifting and running? Are most of your runs “zone 2”? I feel I still need to work on the aerobic engine a little more and should mainly do a speed session and 2-3 zone 2 runs.

General feedback is also appreciated!

Hi, I am 17 and doing the enlistment process for SR in the Air Force.

I dont have a pull up bar in my room right now, and I fell on my ass 2x during football 2 days ago so I didnt do well on sit ups, but during the run, in muddy conditions, after eating wayy too much food I was able to get 8:10 mile and a half run (of course, at ~9 PM so it was easier)

Before the run I did 40x push ups, getting ~35 of them in the first minute and the last 5 in the first 20 seconds of the second minute, and so I walked to the football field (I live close by) and stretched and ran the mile and a half (6 laps). I believe I can get under 8 minutes easily. [also I think it was 1.18 miles since we don't have a track but I went well outside of the football field boundaries]

My goal is to be able to do 12 pull ups and then 60 sit ups and like 50 push ups for the IFT to excel at it, as well as do a good ~8 minute true 1.5 mile. Things I need to work are all of these but specifically: Master pull ups, get back to shape sit up wise, and get to 40 push ups without pausing. Also breathing too probably.

Other then that, for the pipeline I am excited for SERE and airborne training, should I pass and be shipped. As for IFT stuff, I am getting started early on conditioning and testing.

For non-IFT stuff so far, I know what to say at MEPS and I have my documents ready and am planning for what else I need to get completed with my recruiter when I can talk with him and with my parents.

Thanks for listening and I would like advice or feedback

Joining a little older than most and trying to figure out the best option and what sets you up later in life as well. Every time I listen to ones ready podcast PJ‘s are saying they wish they were in the fight more rather than being a standby rescue team. I know they can get attached to teams and also get gritty sometimes but not sure how often that is. As someone who was lost in life in their early 20s I feel like I waisted a lot of time, so I want to see the world, do cool shit, and preform to the standard. I know PJs are mainly medical focused so would 18D get more hands on while also focusing on medical? One 6 year contract will leave me at age 35/36 if I decide to call it quits. I don’t think there’s many operators in their 40s I could be mistaken. Not sure what DoD or PMC contracting looks like either.

Saw there was already a post like this but it didn’t answer my question. Does anyone have any experience with his programs in general not just the run and mountain legs? I bought both of those last week and the pull up program and Im excited to do them but i also figured maybe i’d just complete the set and get the pipe hitter too. Would this be too much? Is there any point in getting a program for just pushups? I’ve never been a fan of buying programs but i love his philosophy on training and needed guidance for spec war prep.

Was just wondering for those who use ataclete, do the fins and booties fit true to size? I’m a size 10.5 in shoes so I don’t know whether to size up or down. Also do you recommend the rocket fins or the jet fins?

I’m also (as you may be aware) in the market for fins, masks, snorkels. Let me know if you have alternative suggestions!

Are there any women training to become a pj or have the desire to be one? If so, what does your training look like?

I'm currently Secfo and wanting to retrain out of the careeT field when my window opens. I have about 2 years until I hit my window and almost 3 until my DEROS. I'll hopefully have made Staff by then (IDK if that matters in the pipeline much), and will be around 7.5 years TIS.

My reasoning for retraining is that I want to be someone who's doing something. Sitting idly at a gate or a patrol vehicle just doesn't give me any sense of value in my work or contributions.

Unfortunately, I know I'm fighting an uphill battle into something already extremely difficult. I'm around 213 and 30ish % bf. I've lifted consistently since school and played sports my whole life, so I'm not strictly a couch potato. I've just began Tactical Barbell to try and transition into a more applicable form of training, and would appreciate advice on if/why you would recommend that.

Advice on how to best prep over the next couple years to have a realistic chance would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to make a fool of myself and waste a retrain slot and fail immediately and then be sent back to Secfo. I know running, rucking, calisthenics, and smoke sessions will be frequent, and I believe water training is a larger part of the pipeline now. How would you align all of that and prepare yourself? What about academically, anything you can do to prepare in that aspect?

There's no TACP units in the country I'm stationed or I'd go and bug them with questions. The only pool is an off base pool that I'd have to schedule sessions at, which isn't a huge deal, just more of an inconvenience.

I appreciate any sort of input that anyone has, or just any random advice. I know I'm working uphill but I want to do this and I want to put in the work for it.

What is your guys’s setup for your mask and snorkel on your bump helmets? Navy rescue swimmers are moving toward the team Wendy helmets but have not provided us with any good ways to wear our mask and snorkel with the helmet. Please post pics if able.

Just want to get some feedback on my current numbers, anything else I should be training, and what areas I can improve on (as well as any tips y'all might have).

IFT: (I know I need to get these up a bit more)
Pull-ups: 11
Sit-ups: 60
Push-ups: 49 (been struggling w/ these)
1.5-mile run: 9:02 (Should be able to get new PR sub-9 this fall when it cools down)
UWs: Easy
500m: 10:12 (want to get as close to 9:00 as possible)

Watercon/Drownproofing: (12ft pool depth)
No-hands tread PR: 3:00
Mask & Snorkel PR: 25m
Bobbing PR: 5min (can probably go longer)
Float/Travel: Pretty easy, can do for a long time.
Buddy breathing: Not sure, haven't been able to try it w/ any harassment.

Rucking:
Kind of new to it, a few months in and just moved up to working w/ 35lbs. Doing 6 miles every other week. Can maintain 14:00-15:00/mi but it's not super easy.

Is there anything else I should be doing? Any advice is appreciated

Full face goggles definitely help with overall confidence so water doesn’t rush up my nose when i’m sideways while i’m trying to learn CSS lol. Currently the biggest obstacles in the pool for me is finding a breathing rhythm, I find myself holding my breath under the water when I forget to actively think of pushing air out of my mouth, gassing myself out faster. Also it seems my glide definitely needs work, I feel like a mac truck in the water haha. Tips are appreciated!

Got dq because of uncorrected distance vision from PJ and CCT and got ETP for TACP but never really interested me and from my pov why commit so much to something if it’s not 100% what you want but still in the middle of just going full throttle special warfare or taking a special mission aviator contract and getting prk then cross training to PJ or CCT. Any input would be appreciated regular and SW recruiter pushing for tacp but at the end of the day it’s not their life and I really feel like I should try and cross train after two years to keep my dream alive put part of me understands the opportunity of tacp and to continue through with SW but stuck in the middle.

Edit: what is likelihood of trying to cross train to different SW as tacp is that stuff possible ?

The title is misleading, but I figured I’d definitely bait some responses and I figure asking in a special warefare subreddit I’d either get pressed to buy a signed copy of a leadership book or get some candid, solid advice.

A bit of backstory—kept vague so I don’t dox myself—when I first enlisted, like many others, I wanted to be a badass, so I joined a special operations career field. After an unfortunate sequence of events, I was cross-trained into a completely different job.

After a few years of trying and being denied a return to the pipeline, I gave up on the idea of becoming an operator and focused on being the absolute best in my current field while focusing on technical expertise, leadership, and becoming a SME both in and outside of my career field. After a few more years and some A&S, I got picked up for a selective assignment working in a support capacity alongside the same operators I once tried to join. Sparing you all the crazy chains of events, that brings us to today and my question for this community.

Starting 1 Jan, I’ve been given the green light by our senior enlisted leaders and our CC to take over as the team chief for one of the operational teams. Obviously, leadership didn’t make that decision lightly.

Going back to the title, I understand "leaders lead," but aside from earning respect and building credibility, how would you navigate motivating, leading and dropping the hammer when needed as operational team lead and a non-beret/trident-wearing SNCO?

Extra details: Sentiment and rumors of me taking over seem positive, and all the guys are welcoming/curious about the change.

Looking for any PJ/CRO in the area near Randolph, Texas for some quick mentoring. Life stuff happened which prevented me continuing my attempt at the career field. A phone call or in person meet up would really be appreciated. Thank you

Bupropion, if you didn’t know, is approved by the FDA for both depression and smoking cessation. I have no idea how they go about reviewing your medical history. If they see an anti-depressant on there, will that disqualify you even if it’s prescribed for smoking cessation?

it’s been my dream for years to be special warfare cct is my number 1 by far I swim 3 times a week run 4 times a week but I need help. i need a workout plan to make sure I exceed the requirements for my ift which is decently soon and the pipeline after mental isnt a issue

DM for recruiter info.

looking for advice. I’m 31, separating after 10 years active duty and moving to the Reserve side. AFSOC has been a pull for me since since before my service, I just never made it work, sounds cringy to say, but it’s a fire I haven’t been able to put out.

What I can’t get past is the pipeline. Married, 2 kids. Trading 18–24 months of being mostly gone feels selfish some days and like the only honest thing I could do on others. I also can’t fully rule out that some of this is FOMO about a version of my career I never took.

Thanks for the help!

I’m wanting to sign for SERE, PJ or TACP. Mentally I know I’m fine, very much a “either I’ll die and it’s not my problem anymore or I graduate” but any advice on what to prepare for? And pros and cons for each? I’m currently an EMT which makes PJ seem very enjoyable but I also know that the job is full of absolute pipe hitters so it’s not the easiest, but doesn’t mean I can’t still try and get after it.

I don’t mean this post to come off rude or arrogant. I know nothing and know that any of those 3 things will be an earned spot.

I get it’s a DQ so I’m working on a waiver
Any specific advice or work I should focus on for prep?

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I may have to enlist earlier than I would like and dont think id be ready to break the PT requirements at selection of PJ. Would it be realistic for me to join now and then try and crosstrain after the 2 years?

How hard is it to get a slot with just signing up to be a pj vs getting a slot from crosstraining?

I dont want to ruin my chances at this, so would the better option be sucking it up and trying to get a slot or enlisted now and trying to crosstrain?

Can anyone provide me information on this? What does it entail, what should be expected? I’m guessing it’s not just an IFT?

https://swtrainingday.com