Special Reconnaissance specialist with rifle
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 SR.

  1. step 01 PRE-BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT) DEVELOPMENT

    Variable Timeline | 300+ locations worldwide

    This is designed to physically and mentally prepare a candidate for the challenges associated with the Special Warfare and Combat Support pipelines. During development, you will be trained and mentored by current and former SW/CS Operators who will assess your fitness level frequently and provide feedback and custom training programs to help ensure ideal preparedness prior to BMT. 

  2. step 02 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.
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  3. step 03 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.

  4. 04 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.

  5. 05 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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. 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.

What is Air Force Special Warfare?

GET SPECIAL WARFARE READY.

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

  1. 01 Swim 25 meters underwater

  2. 02 Swim 500 meters (breaststroke, sidestroke and freestyle)

  3. 03 Run 1.5 miles

  4. 04 Pull-ups in two minutes

  5. 05 Sit-ups in two minutes

  6. 06 Push-ups in two minutes

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

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Qualifications summary

Minimum Education

A High School Senior (age 17 or older)*, High school diploma, a GED, or 15 college semester hours *High School Students may start their application as early as the end of their junior year.

ASVAB Requirements

49 General (G)

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 at least 17, but has not reached age 42 on the date of enlistment

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