AIR FORCE SPECIAL WARFARE

(AFSPECWAR)
Scout, recruit, develop & guide future warriors to their combat calling

SW Officer Career Fields (19Z)

 Special Tactics Officer (STO)
 Combat Rescue Officer (CRO)
 Tactical Air Control Party Officer (TACPO)

WHAT IS AFSPECWAR AND WHAT IS A STO, CRO, AND TACPO?

Air Force Special Warfare er. Their responsibilities of trauma care, technical
(AFSPECWAR) forces plan, include leading, mission rescue, the conduct of sup-
lead, and execute operations planning, and managing day porting fires, and the evacu-
around the globe to engage -to-day operations of their ation of isolated personnel.
and destroy the enemies of teams.
our country and rescue Tactical Air Control Party SW Operators rappel the flag
friendly personnel anytime, Special Tactics Officers Officers (TACPO) pr ovide
anyplace. (STO) lead, manage, and precision terminal attack
support special operations guidance of US and coali-
Special Warfare Airmen are missions. STOs deploy as tion aircraft, artillery, and
ground combat forces that team leaders or mission gunfire. They establish, and
deploy worldwide to project commanders in combat, maintain, C2 and advise
American military power seize and control airstrips, ground commanders on the
through Global Access, to conduct combat search and best use of air power. Most
destroy the enemy through rescue, and guide airstrikes commonly, they serve as the
Precision Strike, and to and fire support using air principal AF liaison element
rescue friendly forces assets. to the Army by providing
through Personnel Recovery. expertise on the planning A Developer works with SW
The Airmen who make up Combat Rescue Officers and executing of air power.
Air Force Special Warfare (CRO) provide command candidates on treading
are the most specialized war- and control (C2) for GA AFSPECWAR Officers
riors on the planet. teams to assault, secure, and are problem solvers across
control the rescue objective the spectrum of conflict and
AFSPECWAR Officers
(19Z) command and lead
area to provide a rapid re-
sponse capability in all envi-
crisis. They are assigned to
Special Tactics units within
CAREER FIELD ELIGIBILITY
forces in strike, access, and ronments. CROs also con- AFSOC or to Rescue and 1. Clearance Requirements: Able to
recovery missions to deliver trol terminal area operations Air Support Operations obtain SECRET, TOP SECRET
air, space, and cyber power during mission execution, units within Air Combat attainable
to the joint force command- including the coordination Command.
2. Retention: 6 yrs ADSC upon
ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION SNAPSHOT— training completion
ARE YOU SUITABLE, TRAINABLE, AND DURABLE? 3. Volunteer for Hazardous Duty
-- Parachute Duty (JTAC/SL/MFF)
You must be self-motivated. ments including a personal tions consisting of extensive -- Combat Dive Duty (SCUBA)
The golden traits of success- narrative, resume, recom- psychological testing and
ful candidates are 1) paying mendation letter, perfor- interviews, briefing and writ- 4. Outstanding resume/no negative
attention to detail, 2) having mance reports, medical rec- ing skill evaluations, leader- personal history
a sense of urgency, 3) putting ords and fitness test. The ship evaluations and problem
the team before themselves. formal application, along solving events. There is also 5. Individual Special Warfare Airman
with many other preparation a series of physically chal- (SWA) Physical
Additional traits consistently resources can be found at lenging events such as ruck
observed are: confidence, -- Requirements codified in AFI 48
www.afspecwar.com marches, runs, extensive -123
optimism, resilience, grit, calisthenics, and water confi-
enthusiasm, and integrity. TACPO’s and CRO’s attend -- Vision: Acuity, Color Vision,
dence evaluations such as Depth Perception
initial selection at separate underwater swim intervals,
Phase I is the initial applica- Phase IIs (one week) while -- Must meet medical clearance
tion process. This process mask/snorkel recovery, bud-
STO’s attend A&S (26 days). dy-breathing, treading, and standards of required training
consists of multiple require- Both are strenuous evalua- fulfilled by other joint schools
drown-proofing.