enlisted
Special Reconnaissance
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.
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YOU DON’T APPLY, YOU PROVE.
SWIPE THROUGH TRAINING PIPELINE
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BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT)
Eight 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 More2
SPECIAL WARFARE PREPARATORY COURSE (SW PREP)
Eight 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 Physical Ability and Stamina Test (PAST) to see if they’ll move on to tech training.
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SPECIAL WARFARE ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION COURSE
Four weeks/Lackland AFB, TX
This is the moment candidates must prove they are worthy to advance in SR training or find another career field.
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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.
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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 provide battlespace awareness whenever, wherever.
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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.
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MILITARY FREE-FALL COURSE
Four weeks/Yuma, AZ; Jamul, CA
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.
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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.
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SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE COURSE
Eight weeks/Keesler AFB, MS
The primary responsibility of a SR is clandestine infiltration and environmental reconnaissance. In addition to continuing the rigorous fitness training, they also learn how to collect any and all data that could affect the battlespace.
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SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE APPRENTICE COURSE
Eight weeks/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.
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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.
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Exceeding Every Standard00:00 GET SPEC OPS READY.
SWIPE TO SEE WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A SR, SO YOU CAN PREPARE BEFORE ENTERING THE PIPELINE.
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Swim 25 meters underwater
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Swim 500 meters (breaststroke, sidestroke and freestyle)
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Run 1.5 miles
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Pull-ups in one minute
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Sit-ups in two minutes
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Push-ups in two minutes
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Download a 21-day fitness program to get yourself ready.
DownloadANYPLACE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
INFORMING THE FIGHT
SSgt Travis Sanford
Some spend their first few days on the job getting settled. Staff Sergeant Travis Sanford spent them proving he belonged.
Read MoreQualifications summary
Minimum EducationHigh school diploma, GED with 15 college credits, or GEDASVAB RequirementsGeneral; ElectronicsQualifications- Successful completion of the Special Reconnaissance Physical Ability and Stamina Test
- Physical qualification and maintenance of physical standards for special operations 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 8.5 weeks of Basic Military Training
- Must be between the ages of 17 and 39
360° Zodiac00:00views from real Spec Ops
An Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) is an FAA-certified air traffic controller who provides combat support on missions by establishing air control. In this case, that means directing an A-10 Warthog to where the enemy has taken up position.
The training to become an Air Force Special Operator is some of the hardest, most intense training in the world. Only a few have what it takes to make it all the way through, but those who do are prepared for anything.
After being pinned down in the Afghan mountains and engaging the enemy for several hours, this Air Force Special Operator takes matters into his own hands to end the firefight once and for all.
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In Air Force Special Ops, when we say, “Any place. Any time. Anywhere,” there’s a good chance you’ll be getting muddy from time to time—especially when you’re behind the wheel of an MRZR.
They say to make it through Air Force Special Ops training you have to endure the suck. These Airmen training to become CCTs are doing just that to prove they belong among the most elite warriors on the planet.
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Training along the Miami coastline, these Air Force Pararescue specialists prepare for a water evacuation scenario. Wherever there’s another service member in need, Air Force Special Ops will be ready to go in and get them out.
“These things we do, that others may live” is not just a motto, they are the words that Air Force Pararescue specialists carry with them when called to put their lives on the line to bring home another service member.
Every Air Force Special Operator has a unique skill set that they bring to the fight. But the one thing they all have in common is knowing how to fight. This Airman checks his M4 before heading to the range to get some practice in.
The training to make it into Air Force Special Ops is just the beginning. These elite warriors continue to push themselves both mentally and physical every day, so they’ll be ready when they’re called into action.
In addition to being expert divers, snowmobile and motocross riders, rock climbers, and survivalists, Air Force Special Operators are also expert parachutists who are prepared to offer help from above when needed.
Air Force Special Operators often serve alongside other special forces teams to bring their expertise to the fight. This Pararescue specialist rehearses hoist-rescue operations on an MV-22 Osprey while imbedded with a Marine unit in Africa.
Air Force Special Operators conduct missions around the world, often in hostile environments. Because of this, they must be expert divers who go through intense water training so they’ll be prepared for any situation.