Need to rant and want your opinions

[MPRT_H8R]

Ok so here is my rant....Im an Aviation Rescue Swimmer in the Navy. i have been doing this for about 14 years now. i LOVE being a swimmer and i think it is a very important and pretty cool job. my problem is, on the Navy recruiting website, navy.com, they list this job under the title of "Special Operations".
This really bothers me because i think they are misrepresenting the Rescue Swimmer job and making it seem like something that it really isnt. I also think that it is extremely misleading to young and impressional people that are interested in this job.
Another huge reason this bothers me is that SEALs, EOD and SWCC fall under Navy Special Operations and i have a great deal of respect for these people. So i feel that it is pretty disrespectful to these groups that actually are Special Operators.
We have a kick ass job and i think that it could stand on its own merits without churching it up or putting an unrealistic title above it.
Let me know what you think....sincere responses only please.

 

[jerrad]

Having 0 military experience but I might have a reason.

Is it because you don't have a standard 9-5 job? It's not like you show up and do the same thing day in day out. Or, do you support the Navy special operations on a regular basis?
Other than that I have no idea.

 

[carrrnuttt]

Aviation Rescue Swimmer : Special Operations : Careers & Jobs : Navy.com

My personal opinion? You ARE Special Operations. Don't get too hung up on the high-speed stuff. You're just a cut under the USAF's PJs as far as the work you do, and even have the same motto, with the exception that you do less land-based rescues than the PJs do (plus they have a much tougher entry, IMO, though SERE school wasn't a joke for you, I am sure).

EDIT: Then again, I could be wrong. Here's an insightful read about it (from Yahoo Answers, of all places): Navy or Air Force? Aviation Rescue Swimmer or Pararescueman/Combat Control? - Yahoo! Answers

You need to go back and do research because you clearly have NO clue as to what Pararescue is about. PJs are NOT combat medics, not even close. They are personnel recovery specialists. Combat medics sole job is combat medicine. PJs have a far more broad job and that is why they are trained in a wide variety of skills from rescue tactics to combat tactics to trauma medicine. These are tools to do the job.

Pararescue is a Special Operations careerfield, that means one could be out on a CSAR mission or one could be spending his days attached to a SEAL team or SF team. The training for a PJ is far more indepth and advanced than for either Navy rescue swimmers or Coast Guard rescue swimmers. Also, Pararescue handles ALL rescues out to sea beyond 200 miles as the CG doesn't have the capability to reach that far.

Navy Rescue swimmers are NOT combat arms nor are they Special Operations. Pararescue is. Navy Rescue swimmers do not get the advanced training PJs do and will not go on the same missions PJs do. They do not attend airborne school or military free fall, nor are they combat divers. They do not recieve tactical training beyond basic familiarization and they will not go on any actual CSAR operations, regardless of what they may tell you, they won't. It's not their job. And that's okay.

Understand, it doesn't make PJs better .. but they are two completely different jobs that cannot be compared.

If you are interested in a Special Operations careerfield that lives by the motto "that others may live," then look into Pararescue. The training is very long and hard, there is an incredibly high attrition rate and you will be put into combat situations. You will deploy often and train when you're not deployed. You will need to be physically fit BEYOND the standards of the PAST test before shipping to basic training .. if you are not, you will wash out of indoc, I promise. The PAST should be easy for you .. you should be able to take it twice in a row with passing scores. If not .. you're not ready.

Go over to Specialtactics.com: Pararescue, Combat Control, CRO, STO, SERE, and SOWT Information to get more information on Pararescue and Combat Control
Source(s):
USAF PJ

Still, my opinion holds. You risk your life for others. Not that other servicemen don't do the same daily. But that's your sole job. Possibly sacrificing your life for your fellow servicemembers and knowing that that's what you're doing everytime you're out. That's "special" in my book any day. Oh, and thanks. :beer:

 

[OhIIICobra]

I wouldn't sweat how they title it. You enjoy it and you know the importance of it. Hopefully the Aircrew's you serve realize your importance as well.

 

[Socal Mach]

On the website it's Special Warfare / Special Operations, once Aircrew became it's own primary warfare designation it got tossed into the mix making it a special warfare. That's my take on it anyway.

 

[MPRT_H8R]

On the website it's Special Warfare / Special Operations, once Aircrew became it's own primary warfare designation it got tossed into the mix making it a special warfare. That's my take on it anyway.

makes a lot of sense i guess but like i said i think churching stuff up to make it seem like more then it really is, is just misleading. thanks for the inputs :beer:

 

[TaraFirma]

Recruiting is designed to be misleading. They couldn't do their job without smoke and mirrors and outright lies sometimes. I gues the job is not "special operations" in the traditional sense of the term, but the point has been made allready, that your job is unique in the fact that you are a military life saver, and therfore all your real world operations are special.
It's great that you like your job. keep doing it for the sake of all of us that may need (god forbid) your services some day. If they ever start saying it's not special, thats when I'd get pissed.

 

[FX4 SAPPER]

I dunno man, i would think that your job would be considered Spec Ops. But look at it this way, your MOS is a legit specialty and not some BS like the asshole cooks who waltz around post with their 1st Group patches on like they are tough shit. I wouldnt worry too much, you guys probably have some tough training and have a demanding job. That imo classifies you as spec ops

 

[97desertCobra]

Would I consider you special operations? No. Do I consider you to be a step above the normal sailor? Yes. I would put you in the elite category, but not special operations. Same goes with Sappers in the Army. We are a step above the normal soldier but by no means special operations. We are capable of some pretty high speed and specialized missions but certainly not spec ops.

 

[96svtblack]

all i can say is if i ever end up in the water i hope you guys find me...lol but i have a buddy that was a navy rescue swimmer and he is now in the army as a 11B but he likes it i guess.