Special Warfare: Special Reconnaissance

Special Reconnaissance operators possess a superior level of skillsets and undergo rigorous training that helps them complete their mission to the highest standard. These Special Warfare Airmen are mission-focused and adaptable regardless of their environment. When it comes to battlefield awareness, it’s their job to collect and exploit key information and tilt the battlespace in our favor.

[gemum]

Random person: I have never known, seen or heard about an SR operator.

'Random person' 2: Let's keep it that way.

[Okkara-qb]

Formerly known as Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT), the Special Reconnaissance (SR) career field has recently transitioned into a role dedicated that is tailored more for all-source intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance versus the traditional environmental reconnaissance they performed as SOWTs. While short term weather forecasting will remain in the SR’s skillset, it will no longer dominate SR’s training and mission focus. Skills include:

Weather forecasting
Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) gathering
Forward observations & scouting
Surveillance & Target Acquisition

Special Reconnaissance Operators are among the most highly trained personnel in the U.S. military. They receive training in surveillance and reconnaissance, multi-domain electronic warfare (EW), long-range precision engagement and target interdiction, small unmanned aircraft systems, preparation of the environment, personnel recovery, and advanced special tactics skills.

Training Pipeline

Basic Military Training
JBSA-Lackland, TX (8 weeks)

Special Warfare Prep Course
JBSA-Lackland, TX (4 weeks)

Special Warfare Assessment & Selection
JBSA-Lackland, TX (4 weeks)

Special Warfare Pre-Dive
JBSA-Lackland, TX (4 weeks)

Air Force Combat Dive Course
Naval Support Activity, FL (8 weeks)

Army Airborne School
Fort Benning, GA (3 weeks)

Army Military Freefall Course
Yuma Probing Grounds, AZ (4 weeks)

Underwater Egress Training
Fairchild AFB, WA (1 day)

Air Force Survival School
Fairchild AFB, WA (3 weeks)

Special Reconnaissance Course
Keesler AFB, MS (8 weeks)

Special Reconnaissance Apprentice Course
Pope AFB, NC (8 weeks)

(The Special Reconnaissance Apprentice Course is also the phase of training where all SR Airmen go through their respective “sniper school”)

[RogersGirl]

They should have called them Special Tactics Advanced Reconnaissance or STARs.

[iTux]

Dude, this career field sounds awesome!

[MMOG]

air force figured out that giving an over glorified team of Ron Burgundy weather reporters with a special operations budget was a bad idea.

[Tacibell]

Is it unheard of for people attending SW Prep and/or Assessment & Selection to go SR to PJ or vice versa? Or is it a set track once you sign your papers?

[tubeyou]

The way his voice change at the very end tells me he’s serious

[grimyboyp]

So these are like the spies of the air force? Dopee

[kevinlyon]

This is something I've always wanted to do! I submitted a application already

[zulufucxs]

What happens to prior service if they complete A&S but aren’t selected? Needs of the Air Force or the boot out?

[henryseva]

Is there any documentd mission wher SR was separately/solely used?

[Duhans]

I have a question. If I have served in KATUSA, then can my experiences be recognized after getting citizenship? I really wonder this.

[Markified]

Hi, so sorry to bother you again. I have been searching for other jobs in the Air Force that I might like. So far I’m interested in the special reconnaissance and pararescue but my parents won’t let me go into the battle field. I still want to do it event though they won’t let me. Should I keep through with this?

[Davewave]

Do you sign a contract that guarantees you a spot for selection like an 18x contract in the army?

[kevin-et]

I was looking into getting into cyber operations in space force but I’ve met a SR at a family reunion I’m intrigued into going SW SR how would I go about it as a civi going in but as a officer?

[revanimperium]

2 year old video here, but does the pre-BMT SWR/D course still run and could I get the 32578 area SW recruiter contact?

[Spadoosky]

I see that 42 is the max age. How many people do you get that actually come close to that max age? Do old farts have a chance in SR?

[MadMax]

2:34 Is that a girl over his left shoulder??

[glennhynes]

Compromise and failure is always an option. Just not one that you want.

[elic]

Out of curiosity, if anyone is able to answer this, are officers able to enter SR?