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.

YOU DON’T APPLY, YOU PROVE.

SWIPE TO SEE THE TRAINING PIPELINE TO BECOME A CCT.

  • 01

    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 MORE
  • 02

    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.

  • 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 CCT training 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, CCTs undergo extensive combat dive training so they can wield airpower whenever, wherever.

  • 06

    AIRBORNE SCHOOL

    Three weeks/Fort Benning, GA

    CCTs 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

    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.

  • 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 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.

  • 10

    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.

  • 11

    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 CCT, 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 one minute

  • 05

    Sit-ups in two minutes

  • 06

    Push-ups in two minutes

DOWNLOAD A 21-DAY FITNESS PROGRAM TO GET YOURSELF READY.

DOWNLOAD

Qualifications summary

Minimum Education

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

ASVAB Requirements

General; Mechanical

Qualifications

  • Successful completion of the Special Reconnaissance Physical Ability and Stamina Test
  • 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 8.5 weeks of Basic Military Training
  • Must be between the ages of 17 and 39

VIEWS FROM REAL SPECIAL WARFARE

ANSWER THE CALL

APPLY NOW
SPECIAL WARFARE CAREERS