Special Reconnaissance

ENLISTED

FIRST ON THE SCENE TO WIN THE FIGHT

Every mission hinges on battlefield awareness. It’s the job of Air Force Special Reconnaissance (SR) to provide it - any place, any time. These Special Warfare Airmen deploy by any means - from airborne, maritime, or land-based platforms - deep behind enemy lines to collect and exploit key information, develop targets, and tilt the battlespace in our favor. Performing on the cutting-edge of technology, SR surveil and prepare the battlespace to provide global access, air, space, and cyberspace superiority.

YOU DON’T APPLY, YOU PROVE.

SWIPE TO SEE THE TRAINING PIPELINE TO BECOME SR.

step 01

BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT)

7.5 weeks/Lackland AFB, TX

The first step to becoming an Airman happens in BMT where trainees learn military structure, the core values of the U.S. Air Force, and to prepare both mentally and physically for life as an Airman.

LEARN MORE
step 02

Special Warfare Candidate Course (SWCC)

Seven weeks/Lackland AFB, TX

If they have what it takes to join Air Force Special Warfare, it will be revealed here. Candidates will undergo intense strength and conditioning training by running, rucking and swimming extensively. They’ll also learn about the rich history of Special Warfare, Esprit De Corps and ultimately take the Initial Fitness Test (IFT) to see if they’ll move on to their pipeline training.
03

SPECIAL WARFARE ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION COURSE

Four weeks/Lackland AFB, TX

This is the moment candidates must prove they are worthy to advance in a SR career or find another career field.
04

SPECIAL WARFARE PRE-DIVE COURSE

Four weeks/Lackland AFB, TX

Pre-dive prepares candidates physically and mentally for the rigors of combat dive school. It consists of intense calisthenics, middle- and long-distance running, swimming and, most importantly, water-confidence training.
05

SPECIAL WARFARE COMBAT DIVE COURSE

Five weeks/Panama City, FL

Becoming an expert diver happens here. Building upon what they learned during the pre-dive course, SRs undergo extensive combat dive training so they can wield airpower whenever, wherever.
06

AIRBORNE SCHOOL

Three weeks/Fort Benning, GA

SRs are imbedded with other special forces, which means they go wherever the mission demands. Sometimes this requires dropping in from above. During airborne training, they learn basic parachuting and prepare for static line jump operations.
07

MILITARY FREE-FALL COURSE

4.5 weeks/Yuma Proving Ground, AZ

In addition to being reconnaissance experts, SRs are also advanced skydivers. This is where they take that next step by building on the training they received at airborne school.
08

SERE TRAINING

Three weeks/Fairchild AFB, WA

Special Warfare Airmen conduct missions in some of the most extreme and hostile places on the planet. This is where they receive survival, evasion, resistance and escape training that will likely one day save their lives.
09

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE APPRENTICE COURSE

5 months/Pope Army Airfield, NC

SRs provide more than environmental reconnaissance, they’re battlefield Airmen usually operating in the middle of a war zone. This is where they learn to apply their training under pressure while obtaining fundamental combat skills utilizing a range of weapons and strategies.
10

SPECIAL TACTICS TRAINING

Six months/Hurlburt Field, FL

The longest segment of the pipeline is also the most comprehensive with advanced weapons and demolition training, all-terrain vehicle operation and core skills instruction, all culminating in a five-level upgrade on completion.

GET SPECIAL WARFARE READY.

SWIPE TO SEE WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A SR, SO YOU CAN PREPARE BEFORE ENTERING THE PIPELINE.

01

Swim 25 meters underwater
02

Swim 500 meters (breaststroke, sidestroke and freestyle)
03

Run 1.5 miles
04

Pull-ups in two minutes
05

Sit-ups in two minutes
06

Push-ups in two minutes

Qualifications summary

Minimum Education

High school diploma, GED with 15 college credits, or GED

ASVAB Requirements

General; Mechanical

Qualifications

Successful completion of the Special Warfare Operator Enlistment IFT
Physical qualification and maintenance of physical standards for special warfare to include marine diving and parachute duty
Normal color vision and depth perception
Qualification to bear firearms
Completion of a current National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks and Credit Check
Completion of 7.5 weeks of Basic Military Training
Must be between the ages of 17 and 39