210th Rescue Squadron

[Mikewf]

I've started reading "The Rescue Season" and the writer certainly tries to sell us big on the 210th. He says it's at the top of most PJs list of preferred assignments, that there's always a large number of appilcations every time a spot opens up and they take only the best of the best, that active duty PJs have left the Air force to join the 210th, etc.

I'm sure it's a great unit. I'm also sure that the author is probably more than a little partial to the 210th.

How much, if any of that, is true?

[DY]

It's all true. PJs are falling all over themselves trying to get into the Big Two-Ten.

[Fire-Gunner]

They get more work than the other two Air Guard rescue units, with the extreme conditions they have up there.

Plus, the hunting and fishing ain't too shabby, either.

[KJ]

They get more work than all the other rescue units combined. I was proud to work with them during my time as the PACAF FM. I would say that the two Parescuemen with the largest numbers of saves ever would have to be Skip Kula and Carl Brooks. Garth ran a great ship up there. Sorry, I don't know who the CRO is up there now. Still a great unit though, with an average time of 12 years experience for each guy, only the best need apply.

[krader]

For what my input is worth. The History Channel the other night had a series on called Ultimate Survival and one episode is exclusivly the 210th. You might want to keep your eyes open for it, as gives the viewer a great visual reference to the stories in Drury's book. Overalll a great show on a great bunch of guys.

krader

[North]

Unverified info states the 210th is now the 212th? Yes-no-not yet? Thanks

[johca]

Unverified info states the 210th is now the 212th? Yes-no-not yet? Thanks The 210th still exists, the PJ portion of the 210th is now the 212th Rescue Squadon an independent self sufficient Pararescue Squadron with its own mission capability statement.

Welcome to Kullis ANG Base, Anchorage Alaska. Home of the Famous 212th Rescue Squadron (http://www.goang.com/officesite.aspx?office_id=91&page_id=1)

[SATCOM]

The 210th/212th, is fortunate in that it's a Air National Guard (ANG) unit. As mentioned earlier, the average experience level is 12 years. In our squadron (123rd), the average experience for CCT/PJ is 14 years! Good thing about a ANG unit is that you can "hand pick" each and every operator. Everybody is a seven level Static-line/HALO Jump Master, Dive Med Tech, Dive Supervisor, RopeMaster, RAMZ T/L, Rescue JM....Blah, Blah, Blah. This sometimes gets active duty upset, as hardly anyone goes ANG to active.

Three of our PJ's spent a majority of their careers in Alaska, and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team.

[Doogie320]

SATCOM,

I have no plans to try out for one of those units but your post got me to thinking:

How then does a unit like the 123rd or 212th get a kid off the street into the pipeline or is the demand to get into those units so high that they do not need to take anyone off the street or a cross-train? I'd guess you take a few like that but there aren't that many?

[johca]

How then does a unit like the 123rd or 212th get a kid off the street into the pipeline or is the demand to get into those units so high that they do not need to take anyone off the street or a cross-train? I'd guess you take a few like that but there aren't that many? Recruiting, advertisement, and recruiting. The internet, news/magazine articles, and a few books have helped. These days most are recruited before they enlist in the past most were recruited at basic training. Pararescue would give a briefing to each basic trainee in their second week of basic training and at the conclusion of the briefing the PJ instructor would say those who want to volunteer to do this job sign here and be at the Skylark pool at 0600 to take a physical fitness test.

That's how I found out about Pararescue and I only had one chance to pass the PAST test without any preparation or idea of what the PAST test was.

Current recruiting and selection information is found at Specialtactics.com (http://www.specialtactics.com/)

[Doogie320]

Sorry, I wasn't clear.

If the entry requirements to get into those units are that high (average time in service or as a PJ being so high) do non-prior service or cross-trainees stand a chance of getting into the units?

I ask because we get guys in here asking how to get into PJ's or STS and if some units are restricting who they allow in that might be handy to know (assuming they use the Search Button before asking).

I'm not trying to butt into the AFSOC world, just trying to pick up some more "useless" knowledge for my noggin.

Thank you guys.

[DY]

Generally speaking for new guys coming into Guard units for training, whether they are SF or PJ, a lot is balanced on how particular people in said units "feel" about a candidate. Once in the unit, candidates usually spend some to several drills working to attain a graduate-level standard for the selection course. In a way, it's about the candidate building rapport with the unit by first impression, perhaps an interview, demonstrating characteristics that avoids cockiness, etc., and most of all, working his ass off just to get to Indoc/SFAS. The Reserve Component has a lot of success with this approach.

I recall a particular NCO/Cross-Trainee who came to Indoc from the 212th. When I met him, it was his second time showing up and third Indoc class, all due to lower leg injury. His last class was another medical drop because he was compensating the opposite leg for the previous shin splints that had not healed yet. Obviously the unit thought very highly of him and believed in his abilities to keep sending him back. They just sent him back too early for the last time, but thems are the breaks for a Guard guy sometimes-- His entire life, military and civilian was centered around getting into the pipeline and he could not afford to wait around forever.Going the Guard route takes a LOT of dedication and often a lot of personal financial investment.

[SATCOM]

Doogie,

DY has revealed the EXACT way we take non-prior service and cross trainees. Sometimes it's word of mouth. An example being "Hey, there's a Hooah Security Forces guy on base that I work out with. He's running five minute miles and can swim 1000 meters in 16 minutes....he's REALLY interested in taking the PAST."

Then there's the opposite side which goes like this "Hey, I just got a call from that piece of shiite from the motor pool wants to try out for the PJ pipeline.....then again, NO."

If you don't play well on our playground, you won't be invited into our sandbox.

[Doogie320]

Got it gents. Thank you.

[avidwanderer]

I always thought it was the 24 that everyone wanted to get to...

[DY]

68, shlameel, shlamagel, hosinfeff incorporated...

[busdriver]

I'm itching to go fly with the 210th (rent a copilot deal) as I know may of my fellow non-flying bitch boy junior officer types are.