Pararescue Jumpers, The Maroon Berets
Pararescue Jumpers are fully qualified in freefall and static-line to provide the option of parachute insertion. However, learning to parachute is the easy part.
Qualifications (from http://www.pararescue.com):
- You must want the challenge of parachuting, SCUBA diving, outdoor life, and a fast paced lifestyle.
- You must understand that “the mission comes first.”
- It is essential your family understands you will be away for almost a year routinely throughout your career.
- You must be capable and willing to adapt to diverse mission requirements, environments, and working hours.
- You must strive to get into excellent shape, and be consistent and dedicated to your training program.
- You must be comfortable living outdoors.
- You must develop strong military bearing and discipline.
- You must be a team member and work well with your teammates.
- You must have a positive “can do” attitude.
Training and Coursework:
- Cardiorespiratory (Distance Runs and Distance Swims, very fast and very long)
- Strength and Endurance (Pull-Ups/Chin-Ups/Sit-Ups/Push-Ups, lots of repetitions)
- Flexibility
- Body Composition
- Calisthenics
- Underwater Swimming with and without equipment
- Mask & Snorkel Recovery
- Buddy Breathing/Pool Harassment
- Drownproofing
- Lifesaving
- Underwater Knots
- Equipment Recovery
- Pararescue/Combat Control Indoctrination Course, 10 weeks
- Army Airborne School, 3 weeks
- Army Combat Divers [SCUBA] School, 4 weeks
- Navy Underwater Egress Training, 1 day
- Air Force Basic Survival School, 2 weeks
- Army Military Freefall Parachutist School, 5 weeks
- Special Operations Combat Medic Course, 22 weeks
- Pararescue Recovery Specialist Course, 20 weeks
- and whatever else deemed necessary
If you want money, then you’re making the wrong choice by choosing to become a PJ.
129th Rescue Wing (129th RQW) Official Website at http://www.129rqw.ang.af.mil
Photo Collection:
129th PJ’s gear
Along with freefall and static line rigs, 129th PJ’s gear includes mountain climbing and satellite communications equipment. They also pack full paramedic supplies including defibrillator and drug box.
PJs exit over Moffett Field
Ted Carlson snapped this photo of PJs from the 129th exiting a HH-60 over Moffett Federal Airfield in the Silicon Valley.
Refueling Demo at Airshow
Rescue Wing demonstrates aerial refueling for the attendees at the 2001 AirExpo over Moffett Field, CA
HH-60 aerial refueling from a Wing’s MC-130
HH-60 on static display
The Wing’s C-130 can land in less runway than what a Cessna C182 can do by throwing all four engines in full reverse prop thrust right at touchdown (very impressive and lots of JP-4 exhaust smoke too).
Miscellaneous sites from here and there:
Return to the Military Skydiving page
Feedback is desired (suggestions, comments, errors, gripes, whatever) Michael Wright, mfwright@batnet.com