How to Join — Officer
Combat Rescue Officer
19ZXC
Eligibility
- —U.S. citizen, eligible to obtain a Top Secret clearance
- —Able to obtain Special Warfare Airmen (SWA) medical clearance
- —Volunteer for hazardous duty: parachute (static-line and freefall), combat diver (SCUBA) open and closed circuit
- —Outstanding resume and no negative personal history
- —Active duty applicants: no higher than Capt/O-3 with 5 years time in grade
- —Six-year active duty service commitment upon completion of training pipeline
Civilian Applicants (SWAP Program)
Civilian college graduates and seniors within 12 months of graduation are eligible through the Special Warfare Airman Program (SWAP). After Phase II selection, SWAP participants attend Officer Training School (OTS) before initial skills training.
- —Age 18–42 at the time of commissioning
- —Minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- —AFOQT minimums: 15 verbal, 10 quantitative (no exceptions)
- —Contact SWAP Program Manager: AFRS.AF.SWAP1@us.af.mil
Phase I — Application Package
A panel of CROs reviews and ranks all applications. The Program Manager contacts selected individuals with Phase II reporting instructions and designates a candidate team leader. If you do not hear back within 45 days of submitting, contact the CRO org box.
- Cover page— personal info, official photo, commander info, fitness scores
- Initial Fitness Test (IFT) scoresheet
- Personal narrative— one page covering your background, strengths/weaknesses, and why you want to become a CRO
- Resume— one page, emphasize leadership experience. USAF members must also include their SURF.
- Commander recommendation letter — one page, signed, with specific leadership examples
- Three most recent performance/training reports — include what is available if time in service is short
- Signed medical statement — documenting facility and date of most recent physical exam
USAFA cadets must submit an AF Form 422 from the Cadet Standards Clinic. ROTC cadets must submit ROTC Form 28. Submit as a single PDF via signed .mil or .gov email (or DoD SAFE).
Fitness Standards (IFT)
Selection is extremely competitive — aim well beyond the minimums. Only perfect-form repetitions count. Your IFT should be accomplished within three months of the Phase I due date.
| Event | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Pull-ups (1 min) | 12 reps |
| Sit-ups (2 min) | 75 reps |
| Push-ups (2 min) | 64 reps |
| 3-Mile Run | 22:00 |
| 25m Underwater Swim | 2 x 25m (Pass/Fail) |
| Surface Swim | 1500m in 32:00 |
Test order: pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups (2 min rest between each), 10 min rest, 3-mile run, 30 min rest, 2 x 25m underwater swim (3 min cycle), 10 min rest, 1500m swim.
Phase II — Assessment & Screener
Phase II is a week-long in-person evaluation. Attendance is TDY-funded, voluntary, and non-binding. Candidates are billeted together. The cadre will push you physically and mentally to assess critical attributes in adverse situations.
- —Extensive psychological testing and interviews
- —Briefing and writing skills evaluations
- —Problem solving and leadership evaluations
- —Ruck marches with 50–70 lbs at distances up to 12 miles
- —Running for distances up to 8 miles
- —Calisthenics sessions
- —Water confidence: underwater swim intervals, mask & snorkel recovery, buddy breathing, treading, surface swimming
Grounds for elimination: failure to meet fitness standards, medical DQ, Quit by Action (3 Failure to Train instances), Self-Initiated Elimination, or UCMJ/integrity/safety violations.
After Selection
Selected candidates receive PCS orders and enter the training pipeline. Between pipeline courses, you will maintain a physical training regimen and complete in-house training to enhance your awareness of Special Warfare and Personnel Recovery missions. Six-year active duty service commitment upon graduation from the training pipeline.
First-time non-selects are not guaranteed a future Phase II invitation. If cadre identify deficiencies, you must submit an updated application addressing them.