Want to hike, scuba dive and free fall while learning a little medicine?

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AFB, Fla. --  If you have an interest in medicine, like parachuting, rock climbing, swimming, scuba diving, and camping, we've got a part-time job that might appeal to you. The Air Force Reserve is looking for U.S. citizens to become Pararescuemen, or PJs. PJs are specifically trained for personnel recovery in humanitarian and combat situations.

PJs will be describing their mission and training at their Air Force Reserve pararescue display at the upcoming World Space Expo, November 2-4, located at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla

"This isn't an easy job, but it's one of the most rewarding ones," said Senior Master Sgt. Doug Kestranek, pararescueman with the 920th Rescue Wing. "PJs are always near the 'hot spots' of the world, supporting those in combat, but also able to assist in cases of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. We've helped those at sea in need of medical assistance, people trapped in airplane crashes, even those who get stranded on mountains. We are looking for people who are ready to adopt our motto--That Others May Live."

The PJs are part of an elite highly-trained, physically-fit group of men. Those wishing to join must first be U.S. Citizens, and then must pass a Physical Ability and Stamina Test, which includes calisthenics and running and swimming tests. Those selected will work through nine training sessions, and will eventually earn an EMT-Pararescue certification through the National Registry. Other classes include static line and free-fall parachutist schools, scuba diving, mountaineering, and survival training under diverse conditions.

The concept of the Pararescuemen was born in 1943, when the first medical corpsman was air-dropped to a downed aircrew on the China-Burma border. As the mission became formalized, these parachuting corpsmen were called Para-jumpers or PJs.

The Pararescuemen are one specialized group in the Air Force Reserve, a team of more than 70,000 men and women, who serve to keep America safe.