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AF Special Warfare Recruiting
What is Air Force Special Warfare?
What is Air Force Special Warfare?
Air Force Special Warfare plans, leads, and conducts operations around the globe to engage and destroy the enemies of our country and stand ready to rescue personnel anytime, anyplace. Our elite operators are heavily relied on by other Special Operations Forces due to their unique skillset and what they bring to the mission. Every day, Special Warfare Airmen deploy around the world to project American military power through Global Access, to rescue friendly forces through Personnel Recovery, and to destroy the enemy through Precision Strike.
Do You Qualify for the United States Air Force?
Do You Qualify for the United States Air Force?
Your Special Warfare Recruiter
Your Special Warfare Recruiter
I'm SSgt Kyle Althoff. I am the active duty Special Warfare, SERE and EOD recruiter for Western PA and nearby WV and OH. I have been in the Air Force for 8 years and have been stationed in Okinawa Japan (Kadena AB), Delaware (Dover AFB) and now Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh). I'm not a Special Warfare operator but have deployed in direct support of American and Allied Special Operations Forces to Kobani, Syria and Baghdad, Iraq and am now scouting, recruiting and developing Special Warfare, SERE and EOD Applicants and guiding them to find their true combat calling.
I'm originally from North Carolina but went to High School in Lima, Peru. I had no interest in attending college directly after graduating High School nor did I want to pay for it and drown myself in debt. I wanted to serve, learn a valuable trade, find a way to pay for school, be independent and create opportunities for myself and my future family. After being in the Air Force for 2 years I met my wife in Okinawa Japan while she was a Navy Master at Arms. We later got married, had our twins in Japan moved to Delaware. We built and purchased our first home at 23 years old. After a few years at Dover AFB I was selected to become a Special Warfare Recruiter and chose to come to Pittsburgh. I am now here to guide you through the process and ensure you are where you need to be both physically and mentally before shipping out for your future career.
Whats the Process?
Whats the Process?
Step 1: Get prequalified. Complete the "Do you Qualify for the United States Air Force" Questionnaire above. I'll later review your answers with over the phone to check for any red flags that may be disqualifying to enter such as serious medical issues/law violations/drug use/etc. Its imperative you disclose everything from the beginning. I'll then send you a practice ASVAB test you can take at home to give you an idea how you would score on the ASVAB. If your pre-screen and practice test scores are good to go, I'll then schedule you for our initial appointment. You will need to bring a state issued ID, high school diploma/GED, birth certificate and social security card with you in order to verify your identity.
Step 2: We will hold a initial appointment. I will re-verify your eligibility and build your profile in our system and review all necessary paperwork. We'll discuss the mission of Special Warfare, EOD and SERE why you think you want to pursue a Air Force Special Warfare or Combat Support career and determine if you are a good fit as well as how to Air Force can help you achieve your personal goals. I'll answer any questions and ensure you are committed to pursuing this. We'll discuss my expectations for you as a candidate, have you begin training utilizing our 21 Days to Pass a PAST plan. I'll provide you with instructions to complete your background check online that will need to be completed within 5 days.
Step 3: Take the ASVAB at MEPS. If you took the ASVAB more then 24 months ago you will need to test again, if you have taken the ASVAB within 24 months you may keep your score. The current scores for Special Warfare, EOD and SERE are:
SWOE: (Special Warfare Operator Enlistment) General 49
EOD: Mechanical 47 & General 50
SERE: General 55
Step 4: Attend a PAST Session. If you haven't had a sports physical within the past 12 months you will need your doctor to sign our form that I will provide you. If you prove yourself to have potential and a solid applicant with good attributes I will then proceed with you to Step 5. PAST and Development is held twice a month. Our Developer, a prior Special Warfare Operator runs the PAST and Development sessions. His purpose is to prepare you for the upcoming pipeline both mentally and physically and groom you into a well prepared candidate.
Step 5: Once you attend a PAST and your background check is completed I will submit a scheduling request to MEPS for your physical. The MEPS physical is glorified sports physical where they are checking for qualifying factors such as vision, hearing, range of motion, drug test, blood tests, etc.
Step 6: MEPS Processing. Once scheduled you'll spend the night at The Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh free of charge and will complete your physical the next day. Once your physical is complete and you are qualified you will complete the oath of enlistment, swear into the Air Force and be a new member of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP)
Step 7: You are attending PAST and Development training sessions with your Spec War Recruiter and Developer at least once a month, following your personalized workout program and continuing daily training. To be eligible to be booked a job for the specialty you are trying out for you will need to continue to showcase you character attributes, display growth and improvement and be able to pass the PAST. EOD/SERE must pass 1 PAST to be eligible SWOE must pass 2 consecutive PASTs to be eligible. How fast you are booked a job is up to you and based off of your performance.
Step 8: Basic Training. You'll attend 8.5 weeks at Lackland AFB, TX. You will begin to master the Air Force Mission Vision and Core Values along with Drill and Ceremony, Air Force History, Air Force Priorities, Joint Warfare and Field Training. You will begin to receive mentorship from the Special Warfare Prep cadres and instructors where they will educate you on SW components, missions, specialties, and the SWOE vectoring system. They will continue to conduct physical training and mentoring and collect your BMT performance evaluation. Family and friends can visit and see you graduate the Wed-Sun of your 8th week
Step 9: Special Warfare Prep Course 8 weeks at Medina Annex, TX where you will be getting paid to train full time. The course's purpose is to build you up and prepare you for the rigors of Assessment and Selection (A&S). You'll be receiving training by run, swim and strength & conditioning coaches. You will have access to professional trainers and dietitians to maximize your physical potential. Later in training will be administered the operator fitness test. Your performance data is tracked. During week 6 is when you identify your SW career preference after being immersed in the SW culture. You are then vectored to Assessment and Selection or TACP Prep.
SERE / EOD DO NOT attend Special Warfare Prep or A&S
SERE—19 day selection course, 165 training days
EOD—163 training days
Step 10: Assessment and Selection (A&S). A&S will be the most difficult experience of your life. Many will quit and many will fail. Only those that truly show that they want to join the elite will flourish. Those that remain focused and show the mental and physical fortitude to succeed and demonstrate attributes valued by AFSPECWAR will be rewarded with a invigorating training pipeline and a career that will change their lives.
PJ, CCT & SR—4 Week Assessment & Selection
TACP—5 day selection course, 108 total training days
SWOE
SWOE
Special Warfare Operator Enlistment is the single process to enter all Special Warfare (PJ, CCT, SR, and TACP).
Why change to SWOE?
SWOE gives both applicant and the Air Force, the time and opportunity to find the warriors’ greatest calling. The SWOE process provides more than entrance exams and second-hand info to best guide them on their Special Warfare journey. SWOE matches Special Warfare candidates to specific Special Warfare careers (CCT, PJ, TACP, and SR) based on candidate preference and candidate performance.
Benefits:
- Allows candidates to make a more informed career decision after months of education, training, development, and mentorship.
-Selection is based heavily on candidate performance. Nothing is given, you must earn it and fight for it.
- Unity and team cohesion among candidates
Pararescue Jumper (PJ)
If Special Operations Command needs a rescue expert for hi-risk missions or the Air Force requires DoD’s only dedicated personnel recovery force to get pilots behind enemy lines, they call on the PJs. No one in the world can do what the Pararescue can do- that’s why they are called on by name for the world’s most dangerous and technical missions around the globe… That Others May Live.
Skills include:
Static Line and Military Freefall Insertion (HALO & HAHO)
Helicopter land and water insertion & exfil
Swiftwater rescue
Snow, Ice & Avalanche rescue
Technical Mountain Rescue
NASA Contingency Response
Domestic / Disaster Response (Earthquake/tsunami/hurricane)
Confined Space and Collapse Structure Rescue and Recovery
Advanced Weapons Skills and Small Unit Tactics Training
National Registered Paramedic and Tactical Combat Casualty Care
Combat Diving and Underwater Search & Recovery
Combat Control (CCT)
Whether calling in “danger close” airstrikes or landing aircraft in impossible places, Combat Controllers (CCT) are first there, providing Global Access and Precision Strike capabilities. CCT are known for merging the air and ground power. Often embedded with joint special operations teams, CCT merge seamlessly with their military counterparts as they are proficient in small team tactics and advanced infiltration and exfiltration techniques. As FAA certified Air Traffic Controllers, CCT are masters of the radio.
Skills include:
Air Traffic Control- FAA Certified
Close Air Support (CAS)
Static Line and Military Freefall Insertion (HALO & HAHO)
Underwater infil and exfil (SCUBA)
Helicopter land and water insertion & exfil
Surveys aircraft assault and landing zones
Setup & control austere landing zones
Demolitions
Special Reconnaissance (SR)
Focuses on airpower-minded reconnaissance and surveillance. Aligned under AFSOC’s access teams (along with PJ & CCT) SR airmen utilize advanced recon techniques, to include weather forecasting and cyber collecting for air and ground assets. These operators specialize in ground-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) meshed with Air, Space and Cyber capabilities.
Formerly branded as Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT), the SR career field has recently undergone a major restructuring. While short term weather forecasting will remain in the SR’s skillset, it will no longer dominate SR’s training and mission focus. Skills include:
Weather forecasting
Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) gathering
Static Line and Military Freefall Insertion (HALO & HAHO)
Underwater infil and exfil (SCUBA)
Helicopter land and water insertion & exfil
Special Reconnaissance are among the most highly trained personnel in the U.S. military. They receive training in surveillance and reconnaissance, multi-domain electronic warfare (EW), long-range precision engagement and target interdiction, small unmanned aircraft systems, preparation of the environment, personnel recovery, and advanced special tactics skills.
Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
Brings the Air Force firepower to the ground forces. Most often embedded with Army infantry, TACP’s are the Joint Fires Experts (aircraft, artillery, mortars, naval gunfire), dropping ‘warheads on foreheads.’ Utilizing advanced radio skills and knowledge of aircraft ordinance, TACPs are considered one of the most valuable members of any combat team. Air Force TACP integrate seamlessly with conventional (and occasionally SOF) teammates, regularly training together as a seamless joint unit. Often burdened with the responsibility of calling in precise ‘Danger Close‘ airstrikes, TACPs are highly trained, highly regarded and always respected throughout the entire DoD, providing the pivotal difference between success and defeat in battle. They find, fix, track, target, and engage enemy forces in close proximity to friendly forces.
Skills include:
Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)
Static Line Parachutist
Operator of data links, radio comms, cyber comms and GPS
All-Domain Command & Control Specialist
Small unit tactics and close quarters combat
Integrates air, space, cyber power into the ground environment
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
Trained to detect, disarm, detonate and dispose of explosive threats all over the world, EODs are the specialists who bravely serve as the Air Force’s bomb squad. Assigned to some of the most dangerous missions, they perform tactically harrowing and technically demanding tasks in diverse environments worldwide. A job for the best and bravest, they do what needs to be done to keep others safe.
The missions EOD supports include:
Base Support/Civil Authority Support
Aerial Bombing Range Clearance
Secret Service Very Important Person missions
JPAC Recovery Missions
SOF Support
Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape (SERE)
Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape (SERE)
When you’re a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Specialist, it’s your job to possess the skills and knowledge to make the difference. You will be chartered with ensuring all high risk-of-capture/isolation personnel return with honor from any type of survival situation. During personnel recovery operations, you’re part of a close-knit team composed of Combat Rescue Officers and Pararescuemen who defend our nation’s forces as a part of the Air Force’s “Guardian Angel Weapon System.”
You will lead and instruct select DoD personnel on remote wilderness survival, hand-to-hand combat, weapons removal tactics, parachute operations, recovery procedures, resistance training, parachute training, academic instruction and water survival.
We're located at 5476 Campbells Run Rd Pittsburgh PA 15205.
Click the map to find directions to our office.
Ready to start the process?
Ready to start the process?
Text me directly to start your process NOW.
(412) 565-9815
Want more Information?
Want more Information?
Check out these resources:
www.airforce.com/specialwarfare
www.afspecialwarfare.com
www.afswdev.com
www.gosere.af.mil
PAST
PAST
The Physical Ability Stamina Test (PAST) is what the Air Force utilizes to gauge if applicants are physically qualified for Special Warfare and Combat Support Careers. You are not required to pass a PAST immediately, but we are however looking for potential and from applicants. If you have not had a MEPS physical or a Sports physical within the last 12 months you will be required to have your doctor complete a form we will supply you.
PAST Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=h14NVKCAEwY
Prior Service
Prior Service
All PS candidates, traditional and direct duty, will meet a board. There are typically 2 Prior Service Boards held per fiscal year. The first board will convene every October and January. PS candidates need to be flexible on the Entering Active Duty dates as they may not always line up with our anticipated dates of April and July.
Due to the unique training requirements of the Special Warfare (SW) and Combat Support (CS) careers the individual Career Field Managers (CFMs) have been given the authority to decide which PS candidates they will allow to enter their training pipelines. You must pass a PAST before I can route your PS package.
The following is required for PS Applicants:
- Applicant statement (Used to explain why they should be selected...2 Pages Max)
- PAST (Current PAST worksheet, conducted by T3i, must be job qualified)
- Resume (Must include applicant contact information)
- Recommendation letters (2-5 letters from current/previous supervisor/CC, pillars of community, etc.)
- Training certificates (Any applicable training certificates)
- Last 5 EPR(s) (Required for previous active duty Air Force applicants) DD214
- DD Form 368 – Approved Conditional Release that expires after anticipated EAD date (If applicable)
- AF Form 526 or MILPDS Point Summary (Guard/Reserve applicants)
- NGB Form 22 (Guard applicants)
- Discharge Orders (Applicants separated from the AF Reserve)
- Statement of Service or Point Summary (Sister Service applicants)
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