What are /r/Pararescue's favorite Products & Services?

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A friend of mine was given this book after completing SERE. It's an in depth account of a POW in Vietnam.

https://www.amazon.com/Passing-Night-Seven-Prisoner-Vietnamese/dp/1568524668

Dude I had trouble with this too. There's some good advice here already but I just wanted to add that you shiukd lay in your bed or on the floor and practice the stroke. Also check out this link for static c02 and 02 tables. It just gets you used to the feeling of wanting to breath but telling yourself not too. I was so bad at these man but I just kept trying them and eventually got pretty good. Also you should check out this book called The Essentials of Military Water Confidence. I'll leave the link for that too. It has some really good info.

https://afspecialwarfare.com/4-breath-hold-exercises-boost-underwater-time/

https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Military-Water-Confidence-Strategies/dp/B08PJJLSLM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3S3NKO6EMDXZ8&keywords=essentials+of+military+water+confidence&qid=1648959205&sprefix=essentials+of+milit%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1

I just got this book today. Definitely check it out if you can, it's about the mental side of becoming an operator.

Building the Elite: The Complete Guide to Building Resilient Special Operators

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0971479V1/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_d\_asin\_title\_o00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’ve used these before and they work well.

https://www.amazon.com/Swimbuds-Headphones-Waterproof-Shuffle-Feature/dp/B018YKTD1Y?pd_rd_w=6aG1N&pf_rd_p=ec24c188-b45f-4923-921c-81937c625aeb&pf_rd_r=9MMVMFH89TMGFVPZ6A22&pd_rd_r=751870cb-9f31-490e-8e6c-fe01e22338cf&pd_rd_wg=BvXak...

That star is not a mustard stain. It is a Master Parachutist Badge- the star and wreath.

A Combat jump is denoted by a bromze colored star ⭐ on the appropriate Parachutist Badge.

Yes, some PJs do have Combat Jumps. Among the more interesting is the Combat HALO jump by MSgt Bill Sine and his team in Afghanistan early in the war. They jumped in to save an Australian SAS Trooper who had been seriously injured by a landmine. Time was of the essence, so the PJ Team HALO'd into a hasty DZ to treat the wounded Trooper while the Helicopters were still inbound.

Bill covers that in his excellent book, "Guardian Angel" https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Adventures-Pararescue-Powerful/dp/161200251X

Good stuff thanks. Are the more oval mask such as this sufficient? Dropping $90 on a mask will be tough. Also, why are soffes a priority?

Hey, you're welcome! I'm glad to see this strike a chord w/ someone else.

Thanks for the encouragement, it is nice to hear from another person that is in a similar situation. Do you have a "time-line" for how you plan on joining?

What does your wife think about the prospect of you joining Pararescue?

I really like the idea of going ANG/Reserve, been thinking about either Patrick AFB or the ANG unit on Long Island, active duty has a strong pull for me though as my wife and I want to raise our kids in that lifestyle (we were both AF brats).

I was an EMT for a few years and loved the work, I'm considering getting my NREMT-P while I'm prepping for Indoc so I could knock 6 months off the pipeline...

I yearn for this career as I believe it to be one of the most noble professions out there that isn't as influenced by politics like other SOF groups (if you have the chance, in the book "None Braver" by Michael Hirsch, a PJ summed it up perfectly when he explained why he chose Pararescue versus Seals, Army SF, etc...)

I really want to earn my spot amongst other elite, to have honor, to be like my role models, and most importantly be someone/something that I know my kids would be proud of.

I look forward to hearing more from you, keep us updated on your progress and let's get it man.