US Air Force Pararescuemen are an elite special forces unit. They are known for their life-saving medical capabilities in any environment, no matter how hostile. Pararescuemen are also called Pararescue Jumpers, aka “PJs.” Their primary mission is personnel recovery; they search and save. PJs are the most highly decorated US Air Force enlistment force and have one of the longest pipelines in the US military. They are fully certified paramedics, also trained in combat search and rescue operations. PJs are jacks of all trades, even helping the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in recovering astronauts after water landings.
PJs are often called “Guardian Angels” because they bring hope where it usually does not exist. Being a PJ is a way of life.
Images Sourced From: Ryan Conroy, Senior Airman Julianne Showalter, Staff Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock, Staff Sgt. Lanie McNeal, Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon
1 Motto, Symbols, and History of Pararescuemen
1.1 Brief History
Pararescuemen’s history began in August 1943, when 21 people bailed out of a C-46 (a military transport aircraft) because of a malfunction. The crash site was in a remote region in evidently rough terrain near the China-Myanmar border that was only accessible by paradrop. Altogether Lieutenant Colonel Don Flickinger and two medics volunteered for the rescue mission. It took them months, specifically with the help of locals, to find and rescue their downed party. This rescue mission was the seed that planted the PJs, by showing the need for highly trained rescue operatives.
Since then, PJs have rescued downed pilots in Vietnam and played vital roles in operations across the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. They have deployed in every major conflict, cementing their legacy as an essential part of military history.
1.2 Pararescuemen Motto
Their motto is
“These Things We Do, That Others May Live,”
The PJ motto reflects the selfless nature of their mission—risking their own lives to save others. It also signifies their unwavering commitment to rescuing fellow service members and civilians in dire situations, often behind enemy lines or in extreme conditions.
1.3 Symbols
1.3.1 Red Beret
1.3.2 Creed
“It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently. Placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, That Others May Live”
The PJ creed emphasizes honor, sacrifice, and also perseverance through adversity. It conveys resilience, mental toughness, and a devotion to duty.
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1.3.3 Green Feet
The symbol of two green feet is used commonly across all Air Force special warfare units. The symbol originally came from Vietnam when the HH-3E helicopter (otherwise known as the Jolly Green Giant) would land in grass fields and rice paddies; it appeared like two green feet.
This symbol appears in logos, tattoos, and even Air Force traditions where members paint their own feet green. Generally, this is a symbol of honor.
2 Organisation
2.1 Place within Broader Military
PJs are evidently the only Department of Defense (DoD) combat force fully trained in full-spectrum personnel recovery in conventional and unconventional combat rescue operations.
They fall under the command structure of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command (ACC), which generally oversee their training and operational deployment. PJs are also assigned to Rescue Squadrons or Special Tactics Squadrons throughout Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Air Force components.
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2.2 The Most Decorated Pararescuemen
Chief Master Sergeant Duane Hackney: Hackney was the most decorated enlisted airman. He enlisted as a pararescuemen in 1965, and flew his first rescue operation on his 3rd day in Vietnam. During his four-year tour in Vietnam, he participated in approximately 200 rescue missions, earning over 70 medals. This is one of his infamous stories:
It was the 6 February 1967 and Hackney was in the back of an HH-3 traversing Vietnam. His crew suddenly got a call about an O1-F Bird Dog that was downed in North Vietnam near Mu Gia Pass. The pilot was still alive. Two units sent earlier in the day to rescue them were forced to return prematurely due to bad weather. That night two HH-3s’, one with Hackney aboard, went to rescue the downed crew. As soon as they found the pilot, Hackney went to hoist the pilot onto the hovering helicopter. They both entered the helicopter and gunfire immediately sprang upon the two hovering HH-3s.
One of them was able to flee, while Hackney’s craft was hit with an anti-aircraft round. He immediately took off his parachute and gave it to the pilot he rescued, disregarding his own safety. Just in time, he found another parachute before being launched out of the aircraft. When Hackney hit the ground he was severely wounded by shrapnel and burns all over. He evaded enemies coming in on his position and moved to the downed helicopter. It dawned on him that he was the only survivor. Hackney spotted another American plane, fired a flare, and was rescued.
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2.3 Recruitment and Training of a Pararescuemen
Requirements
The basic requirements for qualification are to be 17-42 years of age, a US citizen, and also have a minimum ASVAB score of 49 in the general category.
To pass the qualification you need to
- Complete Special Warfare Operator Enlistment IFT
- A minimum overall score of 60 on the PJ selection model completed in the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System
- Pass physical qualification for aircrew, parachute, and marine-diving duty
- Normal depth perception and color vision
- Obtain qualification for static line, free-fall parachutist, and also as a military SCUBA diver.
- Complete a current National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks, and also a Credit Check
- Complete Basic Training
Training Pipeline: Pararescuemen have one of the longest training pipelines in special forces
- Basic Military Training (BMT) is altogether 7.5 weeks long at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas.
- Special Warfare Candidate Course (SWCC) 7 weeks in Lackland AFB, Texas.
- Special Warfare Assessment and Selection Course, 4 weeks in Lackland AFB, Texas.
- Special Warfare Pre-dive Course, 4 weeks in Lackland AFB, Texas.
- Special Warfare Combat Dive Course, 5 weeks in Panama City, Florida.
- Airborne School, 5 weeks in Fort Benning, Georgia.
- Military Free-Fall Course, 4 weeks across Arizona and California.
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and also Escape (SERE) Training, 3 weeks in Fairchild AFB, Washington.
- Modernized Pararescue Provider Program [MP3], overall 39 weeks in Lackland AFB, Texas.
- Pararescue Apprentice Course, altogether 22 weeks in Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
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3 Pararescuemen Equipment
3.1 Frequently Used Weapons
- Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR)
- Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifle (SDMR)
- MP5SD
- MK12 (frequently suppressed)
- M4 Carbine (frequently suppressed)
3.2 Vehicles
- HH-60 Pave Hawk
- Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC)
Vehicles vary significantly based on the terrain and the unit they are operating alongside.
3.3 Optics
- ACOG
- PEQ-2/PEQ-15 IR Lasers
- AN/PRC-148s and Harris 117s IR Strobes
3.4 Armor and Kit
- Hard Armor Plates and Combat Helmets
- AN/PVS-14 and/or AN/PVS-15 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs)
- Load-Bearing Equipment (LBE)
- Medical Gear
- Communication equipment
- Parachuting Equipment
- Rappelling Gear
4 Tactical-Operational Information
4.1 Operations
- Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR): PJs generally undergo extensive training to conduct search and rescue missions in the world’s most hostile environments. Often, they recover downed aircrew and military personnel explicitly under enemy fire. A typical CSAR operation usually involves parachuting into a dangerous area, navigating hostile terrain, providing emergency care, and then evacuating.
- Humanitarian Assistance: Pararescuemen also engage in humanitarian missions. They rescue people from collapsed buildings during earthquakes and provide medical treatment during national disasters.
- Support for NASA: PJs have also historically supported NASA missions by recovering astronauts after water landings.
- Joint Operations: PJs also collaborate alongside other branches of the US military and allied forces. This enhances the effectiveness of rescue operations through combined capabilities.
4.2 Core Purpose of a Pararescuemen
The core purpose of a PJ is a personnel recovery specialist, with emergency medical capabilities in a multitude of environments. They deploy by any means necessary into restricted environments to evacuate injured personnel while acting in an enemy-evading recovery role.
PJ’s mission statement is: “To rescue, recover, and return American or Allied forces in times of danger or extreme duress. Whether shot down or isolated behind enemy lines; surrounded, engaged, wounded, or captured by the enemy; PJs will do whatever is required to deny the enemy a victory and bring our warriors home to fight another day. “
4.3 Personnel size
There are roughly over 500 PJs actively serving across the Air Force. [source]
5 Conclusion
The US Air Force PJs rank among the world’s most elite and highly trained military forces. Their motto, “These Things We Do, That Others May Live,” embodies their commitment to rescuing military and civilians alike. With one of the longest and toughest training pipelines, and the only DoD force specializing in full-spectrum personnel recovery, PJs master combat medicine, survival, parachuting, and also specialized rescue techniques. They operate in combat zones, humanitarian environments, and NASA recoveries. Altogether their heroic legacy sums up as the promise to never leave anyone behind.
6 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the washout rate for pararescuemen training?
The PJs have a 95% washout rate, one of the highest in the Air Force.
What is the Air Force pararescue death rate?
The Vietnam War claimed the lives of 19 PJs, while at least 16 fell during the war on terrorism. Another 53 have died in the line of duty during other operations. [source]
Does Air Force Pararescue have an age limit?
To become a PJ, you have to be between the ages of 17 and 42.
What is the Air Force Pararescue salary?
The salary of a PJ is around $50,000 to $70,000 per year.
Why do people call pararescue “PJ”?
P stands for parachutist, and the J stands for jumper. In the early Air Force flight logs, Parasecuemen used to write PJ as an identifier. The nickname stuck, and also now the US Department of Defense widely recognizes them as “PJs.”
