That Others May Live ( This is the Beginning!)

I have been living in Japan for the past 3 years and have recently returned home. My contract with the company I had been working for ended, and I decided it was time to do the job I've always dreamed of doing : Pararescue.

The 1st time I saw a "PJ" ( Pararescue Jumper) was in the movie "Perfect Storm". In 1991 a Halloween Nor'Easter storm hit the North East American coastline while a fishing crew on a boat called "Andrea Gail" were out to sea fishing for Swordfish. The crew found themselves lost and became trapped in the middle of the storm, 575 miles out to sea. A rescue mission was launched from the New York Air National Guards 106th Rescue Wing. 2 PJs were assigned to the rescue: TSgt. Alden "Rick" Smith and TSgt. John Spillane. The rescue chopper crew who flew in a HH-60 Pave Low helicopter consisted of : Maj. David Ruvola, Capt. Graham Buschor, and SSgt. Jimmy Mioli.

A brave and fearless rescue attempt was made to save the fishing crew of the Andrea Gail however the HH-60 burned all of its fuel and could not re-fuel in time from the C-130 "King Bird" due to the intensity of the storm. The rescue crew decided to ditch the chopper as close to the Andrea Gail as possible. During this ditch, TSgt. Alden "Rick" Smith would become lost at sea. While the surviving 3 airmen were picked up by the US Coast Guard Cutter "Tamaroa".

At the time, I didnt know that the PJs existed or that they were a special group of trained Airmen whos only mission is rescue. I was amazed that there were men willing to go out into an insane situation like that, risking their own lives and attempting to bring people back alive. I had to become one of them.

I began researching everything I could on "Pararescue" and "PJ". I found a very good book called. "That Others May Live" by SmSergeant Jack Brehm. This book did it for me, and I was completely positive I wanted to become a PJ one day, it was calling me.

However my family and my brain told me to pursue other avenues, to find a job that wasn't dangerous and something I enjoyed doing. So I went to college and got my Digital Media Degree and worked in tv News for a bit. Working as a News Editor I learned that I liked politics and world news, but also learned that my political views were conservative, and I also hated sitting on my ass all day.

I yearned for adventure, so I signed up for the PeaceCorps. I was accepted and set to work in the Carribean for 2 years. My job would be community development of some sort, it was clear as mud. I was weeks away from departure when I wrote PC a letter and asked them to change my job to something media related, a newspaper or possibly tv station if there was one.

I received a letter from them a week later and it stated that I no longer had a position in the Peace Corps, they were sorry and decided to terminate my application. Whopee. It didnt exactly break my heart that I wasn't going into the "Peace Corps", but I really wanted to get out and see the world.

So I found a Japanese English teaching company called "NOVA Group". They recruited and hired foreign teachers to live and teach in Japan. All that was required was a BA degree and I had that. So I was hired and moved to Japan. To make a long story short the company went bankrupt and I was 2 months without pay so I had to quickly find another job to remain in Japan. I was lucky enough to fall back on my Media background and found a News Editing job with Bloomberg News. Back in News again. I worked there for a year, my contract ended and that was that. I tried hard to stay out in Japan for as long as I could, because my Fiance is Japanese. So I found myself working at an Investment company as a foreign currency salesman. That was an experience that sucked and I wont go into it. I decided it was time to come home and do the dew.

During the last year in Japan I began to train for the USAF Pararescue PAST test. The PAST test is the initial Physical Ability Stamina Test required for entrance into Pararescue training. You must past this test in order to apply for the PJ program. I trained as hard as I could and as much as I could for this test. I am glad to say I passed it. Here are my scores:

PULL-UPS : 17 (minimum 6, time limit 2 mins.)

SIT-UPS : 69 (minimum 45, time limit 2 mins.)

PUSH-UPS : 72 (minimum 45, time limit 2 mins.)

FLUTTER KICKS : 72 (minimum 45, time limit 2 mins.)

1.5 MILE RUN : 09:58 ( maximum allowable time, 10:45)

500 METER SURFACE SWIM : 11:30 (maximum allowable time, 14 mins.)

25 METER UNDERWATER SWIM, X2 : PASSED ( Surfacing at any time is a fail)

After passing my test I began the process of taking the ASVAB and getting my Class III Flight physical. Paperwork and more paperwork. I finished the entire process a few days ago and have been sworn into the 304th Rescue Squadron, here in Portland. I will be going to Boot Camp on February 2nd, 2010. After graduation I will attend the Pararescue Indoctrination course at Lackland AFB on April 12th, 2010.

I have begun my journey to becomming a USAF Pararescueman. This is my blog to tell my story, of the training, hardships, and challenges on the road ahead of me. And hopefully one day I can provide insight to those willing to step foward to become a PJ and live the life as well. That Others May Live. Hooyah.