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Cadets Participate in Special Warfare Training

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  • By Captain Rachael Parks
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Al --  

The Air Force is continually focused on ensuring a strong pipeline of officers for Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR). Programs are underway in Air Force ROTC and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) to support this goal.

To be an Air Force Officer with a Special Warfare career, you are required to pass a rigorous mental and physical pre-commissioning screener (called Phase II). The following programs play a critical role in the recruitment and preparation of future AFSPECWAR officers. Cadets now have opportunities to attend and develop formalized and safe programs, with qualified oversight to help them prepare for a career in Special Warfare.

One of the summer programs, Special Warfare Orientation Course (SWOC), garners interest and provides a better candidate for Phase II. This two-week program is offered twice a year at the United States Air Force Academy for a total of 80 AFROTC and USAFA cadets. SWOC introduces cadets to land and water fitness, problem solving, AFSPECWAR missions, and “ground airman skills” during week one, culminating in a “Mini-Phase II” event simulating a day in an actual Phase II. During week two, cadets plan and execute the Global Access, Precision Strike, and Personnel Recovery missions in “Full Mission Profiles” to validate their desire to prepare for Phase II and a rewarding career. To date, 310 cadets have completed SWOC, which has increased cadet selection rates for Phase II attendees from about 30% to 50%.

A second AFSPECWAR summer opportunity for Air Force ROTC cadets, the Special Warfare Intermediate Immersion course, took off this summer, enhancing the skills of 31 cadets. This five-day course is conducted at the end of the first two AFROTC Field Training iterations, offering the opportunity for cadets to extend their stay at Maxwell after Field Training for a hands-on AFSPECWAR experience, consisting of a condensed version of the training offered at SWOC. The addition of this new course augments SWOC and expands the number of cadets who are able to receive tailored AFSPECWAR training within a given summer to prepare for the arduous selection process of becoming a Special Tactics Officer, Tactical Air Control Party Officer, or Combat Rescue Officer.

There are three academic year opportunities. First, USAFA has a formalized Special Warfare Club, whose academic year materials are available for Air Force ROTC Detachments to download and develop or refine their own SWC. Second, cadets may attend Special Warfare Development sessions around the nation run by AETC-contracted and insured Field Developers to train cadets in the basic techniques for Phase II-related land and water fitness and reduce risk for Air Force ROTC Detachment Commanders. Third, cadets may participate in an Air Force Recruiting Service-led Special Warfare Air Force ROTC Weekend events, which are conducted 8-10 times throughout the academic year at various detachments hosting these weekend events around the country.

These programs help cadets prepare for Phase II, the post-commissioning training pipeline, and a career as a 19Z, according to Col. John M. Graver, individual mobilization augmentee to the director of AF/A3S Air Force Special Warfare.

“These are our future AFSPECWAR leaders. We want them to be successful by providing a safe introduction to the events and evaluation criteria,” said Graver.

“The idea is to provide interested cadets as many opportunities as possible to prepare themselves for the rigors of selection, not just physically, but also mentally,” said Maj. Eric Atchison, Air Force Recruiting Service. “Between these Special Warfare AFROTC Weekend events, the two opportunities in the summer, and the increasing number of Special Warfare Clubs at Detachments, we can prepare as many cadets as possible to succeed as leaders in the Special Warfare community. It’s an extremely challenging and rewarding career like no other, and we are looking for the right young men and women to join the team who have what it takes to succeed, no matter the odds.”

Interested in getting involved? Contact your local AFROTC detachment. For current cadets, your cadre has access to more information via the Special Warfare channel in the Air Force ROTC Teams.