FAQ

• Combat Controller (CCT) — FAA-certified air traffic controllers who establish air control in hostile areas
• Pararescue (PJ) — combat medics and rescue specialists certified as paramedics
• Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) — embed with Army and Marine units to coordinate close air support as JTACs
• Special Reconnaissance (SR) — conduct reconnaissance behind enemy lines to gather critical intelligence

• U.S. citizenship
• High school diploma or equivalent
• ASVAB General (G) score of 49 or higher
• Normal color vision and depth perception
• Pass a security background check (National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks, and Credit Check)
• Pass the Special Warfare Operator Enlistment Initial Fitness Test
• CCT, PJ, and SR must also qualify for marine diving and parachute duty

All four enlisted Special Warfare career fields require a minimum General (G) score of 49 on the ASVAB.

All pipelines begin the same way:

1. Basic Military Training — 7.5 weeks (Lackland AFB, TX)
2. Special Warfare Candidate Course — 7 weeks (Lackland AFB, TX)

CCT, PJ, & SR continue with:

• Assessment & Selection — 4 weeks
• Pre-Dive Course — 4 weeks
• Airborne School — 3 weeks
• Military Free-Fall — 4–5 weeks
• SERE Training — 3 weeks
• Career-specific apprentice courses

TACP continues with:

• TACP Apprentice Course — 21 weeks
• Airborne School — 3 weeks
• SERE Training — 3 weeks
• Initial Certification Course Phase 1 — 16 weeks
• Initial Certification Course Phase 2 — 5 weeks

Candidates must pass the Special Warfare Operator Enlistment Initial Fitness Test:

• 25-meter underwater swim
• 500-meter surface swim (multiple strokes)
• 1.5-mile run
• Max pull-ups in 2 minutes
• Max sit-ups in 2 minutes
• Max push-ups in 2 minutes

The fitter you are before shipping, the better your chances of completing the pipeline.

You must be between 17 and 42 years old at the time of enlistment for all four enlisted Special Warfare career fields.

1. Connect with an Air Force recruiter at airforce.com/find-a-recruiter
2. Express your interest in Special Warfare
3. Your recruiter will guide you through ASVAB testing, MEPS medical screening, and the enlistment process
4. If already connected with a recruiter and approved to train, visit the Preparation & Training page on this site for physical preparation resources

• Special Tactics Officer (STO — 19ZXA) — leads special tactics teams that establish airfields and enable airpower in hostile territory
• TACP Officer (TACPO — 19ZXB) — leads teams that direct airstrikes and close air support for ground forces
• Combat Rescue Officer (CRO — 19ZXC) — leads personnel recovery missions to rescue isolated or trapped service members

Selection is a two-phase process:

Phase I — Written Application

• Cover page with personal info, official photo, and fitness scores
• Initial Fitness Test (IFT) scoresheet
• One-page personal narrative
• One-page resume (emphasize leadership experience)
• Commander recommendation letter
• Three most recent performance/training reports
• Signed medical statement

Phase II — In-Person Assessment

• Week-long evaluation of physical fitness, leadership, problem solving, communication, and mental resilience
• TDY-funded, voluntary, and non-binding

Initial Fitness Test (IFT) minimums shared by all three career fields:

• Pull-ups (1 min): 12 reps
• Sit-ups (2 min): 75 reps
• Push-ups (2 min): 64 reps
• 3-mile run: 22:00
• Underwater swim: 2 x 25m (pass/fail)

Swim standards differ by career field:

• STO & CRO: 1,500m surface swim in 32:00
• TACPO: 500m surface swim in 12:30

These are minimums — selection is extremely competitive. Aim well beyond these thresholds.

STO

• Phase I deadlines: 15 Aug 2025, 23 Jan 2026
• Phase II screeners: 20–24 Oct 2025, 9–13 Mar 2026

TACPO (quarterly boards)

• Phase I deadlines: 7 Jul 2025, 14 Nov 2025, 9 Jan 2026, 8 May 2026
• Phase II screeners: 15–19 Sep 2025, 26–31 Jan 2026, 9–14 Mar 2026, 13–18 Jul 2026

CRO

• Phase I deadlines: 15 Aug 2025, 16 Jan 2026
• Phase II screeners: Oct 2025, Mar 2026

Visit the Officer Career Fields page for the most current dates and application PDFs.

Yes — through the Special Warfare Airman Program (SWAP). Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship
• Age 18–39 at commissioning
• Bachelor's degree (minimum 2.5 GPA)
• AFOQT minimums: 15 verbal, 10 quantitative
• Passing MEPS physical
• Passing IFT

If accepted to Phase II:

• Enter active duty as an E-3
• Attend 5-day orientation at Lackland AFB, TX
• Complete Phase II assessment
• If selected, attend OTS then enter SW training pipeline

USAFA

• Can apply as early as junior year
• Join the Special Warfare Club for regular training
• Apply to the Special Warfare Orientation Course for early exposure
• If not selected as a cadet, seniors may apply for the Casual Lieutenant program — remain on campus up to six months post-commissioning to train full-time

AFROTC

• Can apply junior or senior year
• Engage with Special Warfare Clubs and T3i Field Developers at your detachment
• Attend Special Warfare AFROTC Weekends (SWAWs)
• Apply for the two-week SWOC held at USAFA each summer

Yes — through the Inter-Service Transfer (IST) process:

1. Socialize the possibility of a conditional release with your current service's assignment manager
2. Submit a Phase I application for STO, TACPO, or CRO
3. If invited, attend and complete Phase II
4. If selected, initiate official conditional release from your current service
5. Contact the AF IST Program Manager at afpc.dpmlt.interservicetrans@us.af.mil

Note: There is not currently a pathway for prior-service officers to come onto Active Duty Air Force directly. You must remain in your current service until approved to cross over without a break in service.

• First-time non-selects may be invited back to Phase II for a future screener
• If cadre identify deficiencies, you should submit an updated application addressing them

SWAP (civilian) non-selects may choose one of three options:

1. Volunteer to remain in the AF with a regular commission via OTS
2. Volunteer to be retained as an enlisted Special Warfare operator
3. Elect to be discharged without prejudice

All three officer career fields require a six-year active duty service commitment upon completion of the training pipeline.

• STO: 24SOWSTTS.Assessments.RAS@us.af.mil
• TACPO: 6ctsdet2.tacp.officer@us.af.mil
• CRO: CRO.Selection@us.af.mil
• SWAP / AFROTC / General: eric.sanderson.2@us.af.mil
• Inter-Service Transfer: eric.sanderson.2@us.af.mil, afpc.dpmlt.interservicetrans@us.af.mil