Becoming a Special Tactics Officer in Air Force Special Warfare
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Welcome back to this week's edition of the OnesReady podcast! This week, we talk to a Special Tactics Officer and answer all your questions. Lt Wink has a vast breadth of experience- from being the first to open an airfield after a natural disaster to his experience as a Combat Controller, his Phase II experience, and his tips for being successful for all Special Warfare Officer candidates!
Get yourself a couple pieces of mobility gear, a dynamic warm up, throw in your headphones for this workout about join us here in The Team Room!
00:01:35 Wink’s Background
00:07:27 Transitioning from Enlisted to Officer
00:15:23 NCO vs Officer Mentality
00:19:25 What is a Special Tactics Officer?
00:28:55 Day To Day Life as a STO
00:36:26 AFSC Change
00:39:31 Would You Change Anything?
00:43:08 Piece of Advice
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Video/Audio editing courtesy of nikki@onesready.com
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The views and opinions expressed by the OnesReady team are those of the team and do not reflect the official policy or position of the DoD. Any content provided by our Podcast guests, bloggers, sponsors, or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign the DoD, any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
#SpecialTacticsOfficer #SpecialWarfareOfficer #STO
I only know one STO. He was in my training flight at OTS (was an engineer initially, got through phase 2 selection maybe a year later after seeing AFSOC guys in and around Eglin and Hurlburt). STO career was pretty much brand new at the time. Very small career field. He was one of two from his selection who was actually put through the training.
He was also the closest thing to a world class athlete I have ever had to PT with or play a sport against or anything else. Was an amazing runner but also pretty good at just about everything else. I used to feel bad about him lapping me in the 1.5m run but after he told me he lapped several phase 2 applicants twice in the 3 mile run I felt better about it. Seeing some of his old marathon times and where he finished made me realize he was in a very different league.
I got out long ago but I think he is still in. Pretty sure he is or was very recently commander at 17th STS. Initials TMD. I'm guessing he can still move pretty good even at our age.
Best part when he asks “can I curse?”
i realize I'm quite off topic but does anyone know a good site to stream new movies online ?
@Krew Jaime I would suggest FlixZone. You can find it on google =)
" Wink": Mustang ( Officer who is Prior Service Enlisted Man) Badass. CCT turned STO..... HooYah!!
The episode I've been waiting for💯😎
Logan Densley same.
Yes! So stoked to that you guys put out this episode!! 👣
We listen. Combat Rescue Officer, coming up soon 😎
What else do you wanna hear?
Ones Ready More on enlisted TACP and Pararescue
LOL, "So STO-ked..." NICE ONE xD
This was great thanks. I would have loved to hear more in depth about day to day life
Met Lt Wink last year. Great man and leader
Is it possible to get an interview with an academy graduate SPECWAR officer?
Absolutely.
Huzzah!
It'd be cool if you could get a Combat Rescue Officer on
Well you may want to pay attention to the drop this Saturday then 😎
Outstanding stuff. Go Air Force
Thanks for uploading this. I just wanted to confirm my understanding on the transition from Enlisted to Officer. Is it possible for any enlisted CCT to attempt to transfer to being an Officer? Or is it something that is much more rare/difficult to achieve? Essentially, is it just a matter of dropping a packet when you're ready or are there a significant amount of "hoops" to jump through that weren't mentioned in the video? Thanks again!
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO and on my birthday too 🙂🙂🙂
Happy birthday
Joel Del Rosario what’s up brother! Happy birthday man
Happy birthday
What hair product would you recommend for spiking your bangs? Asking for a friend.
Pomade. Low shine, medium hold.
Always happy to see more info on this!
Well done Aaron.
Appreciated.
Sick episode🤙🏻 keep up the awesome work guys!
0:02 Great PC and I thoroughly enjoyed the one you did on CROs! Could you please tell me the subtle differences between a STO and an CRO? My apologies if you’ve had to answer this several times before. Thanks! Cheers…Mush (FAC/TACP 82-85)
I was a former USAF Combat Camera member from 1997 - 2010 and just Retired from the U.S. Army in 2019.
Thanks for this! I’m doing a lot of research on this career field now and I found your video/ channel. Thanks for doing it. Question: I’m 34 and non prior service. I’m actually in good shape and have no injuries or medical situations. I know this is highly subjective but do the cadre automatically hold someone in their mind as a “not likely” for being mid-30s? I’m trying to gauge how much my age will hurt me even attempting to go through selection? I believe truly believe I can physically & mentally do it. But I’m worried I’m too old for being a good fit I suppose. Have there been others older than Wink do well? He said he was 31 I believe when he went through. Thanks
Keep tearing through the channel- we have answered this one a ton. Bottom line? the age limit is the age limit for a reason, and it's entirely dependent on you and your performance. If you want to succeed and dedicate your life to it- you will. If you won't? You won't. Irregardlessly (I know it isn't a word) of your age. -A
@@OnesReady thank you very much. I’ll keep going through your content. Appreciate the time in response, all of you and your co-hosts service, and the content.
I’m 30 years old, and can’t stop thinking about if I have what it takes to do this..So I’m heavily contemplating joining for this sole reason, because I believe I actually do have what it takes. I think you should go for it if you feel the same way about yourself
@@mikejax4402 thanks Mike! I wish you well on your own journey into this.
I was wondering if STOs see as much combat as CCTs or since they are officers do they not see as much combat and sort of sit around and do COMs from a secure location instead of deploying with other SOF units?
We have covered this a ton in our content. Poke around and you’ll find your answer. -A
Do you have any video recommendations that have that answer? Been trying to find it but haven’t been successfully yet.
Just saw this video while doing some research about AF Special Forces I am currently In college going to graduate with a bachelors. Would a civilian even if they had a great application, AFOQT and fits the criteria, would he be pushed below a current enlisted and ROTC? I am also a 4 year college athlete and physically fit.
Can you do one on SERE and on the Combat Camera AFSC?
So we are definitely looking at SERE soon- Com Cam is much more niche and we get very little interest (if any). Not off the table though.
You guys did a video on what you guys do in garrison, can you talk what you guys do during COVID-19?
It’s the exact same. Except, with social distancing, masks, and following SECDEF and SOCOM guidance.
Is there EOD techs assigned to AFSOC???
The Navy has SOF EOD folks. If EOD is your thing, I'd definitely recommend you check their program out.
Question about CCTs:
How much do they work with other branches in terms of Navy jets, or Marine helicopters?
Thanks for making such great stuff.
Well first- why? Why would it matter if they were Navy, Marine, Norwegian, Alien or other?
If it’s in the air, can understand English and has a radio, CCT can talk to it.
Is there anyway to get in touch with Wink? Im from Westhampton and am hoping to be a PJ
Reach out to us on the OnesReady instagram account- we will get you linked up
If a civilian applies to either STO or CRO, and does not pass the assessment, do they get to roll into a TACPO try out or do they get rolled into Big Air Force?
Probably big Air Force, because it seems like officers only have three career routes, and I doubt the Air Force wants to waste their time with officers failing one or two pipelines.
@SpartaNinja sent as a civilian
if CCT can get a JTAC cert, why have a TACP on a SOF team.
MalikNightboiler why not? The more the merrier, since they are both specially selected and well trained.
th-cam.com/video/RS3ALIZSu0c/w-d-xo.html
This will break it down for you.
From what I can tell tacps mostly aim bombs and ccts mostly land planes but they can do eachothers jobs when needed. Correct me if I am wrong though
Short answer- different capabilities and too many requests for JTACs. Remember- JTAC is *not* the primary mission of a CCT.
Due to the events of 9/11, the CCT career field had decent number of operational JTACS but the necessity for JTACS were too high. not enough CCTs to provide that capability. Thus, ushering in TACPs to provide the JTAC necessity. Only, the US saw the TACPs also getting stretched thin by supporting conventional Army. So, to remedy that part, Air Force then made it so TACP can switch to provide JTAC capabilities to SOF and conventional whenever they want. This is to help the workload of the CCT or assist a different SOF unit that doesnt have a CCT handy. The TACP is supposed to be better trained at JTAC capabilities than a CCT, traditionally. Since the CCT gets all the glamour of being a "better job", it is often overlooked that the better JTAC, historically, has always been the TACP and exists solely to assist a CCT in that duty. You know, since air traffic control is a busy capability all on its own (which it very much is). Army SF can also be JTAC certified, rendering a TACP useless and remedies a CCT of that duty. BUT! a CCT can double dip with the ATC portion. A CCT would be more for a dug in deep need like with Army SF whereas a TACP assisting a quick raid team like the 75th RR is more of their fit. But! a TACP can do both just like a CCT can do both. Heavy dug in=CCT, light and lethal=TACP. That's the reason why TACP can assist SOF. It is to assist where a CCT cant due to manning deficiencies across the Air Force. CCT can double dip with ATC and TACP can double dip with speaking Army (which is insanely useful because their jargon can get really dicey especially in the middle of a firefight)
Holy cow
How strict are the medical requirements? This is something I’m committed to doing but I have extremely mild eczema which I’m worried could be disqualifying
Brooks Fannin I think something like eczema could easily go by with a waiver. Not sure tho! Lmk what you find out
As long as it’s treatable with topical steroid (like cortisone) you should be good. You just have to mention it and get a waiver. Supposedly takes 4-6 months for the waiver to get approved.
Hey Guys, does the air force reserves or national guard allow first time special warfare officers with no prior military experience?
Yup! - A
Wait, do STO's still see action? Like, in a combat zone, bullets in the air, etc... type of things?
Is there another type of action we need to talk about? -T
I'm a Loser.. but yall are cool as hell!
Hahaha we are all losers in some regard! - A
Do Phase II participants have to sign an NDA? Assuming yes...as the commentary on evolutions were vague and non specific.
They do not. While the evolutions aren’t protected, we share a professional courtesy with our friends running those events. It’s not secret, there are no surprises- but we work closely with the career fields and we always want to make sure we don’t impede their ability to evaluate what they need to. Meaning- we won’t tell you EVERYTHING, just what can help to make you successful.
Early? Say less
Yes and no. YW
It's not meant for girls?
When we shot down flight 93, I wonder what our pilot thought when he got the order.
when are you taking girls?
… wut? The combat exclusion was lifted years ago, there is a female STO. So- years ago I guess? Not sure of your question.
STO's are the only SOF officers that don't fight. It is VERY RARE that STO's actually fight. Their reputation, for the most part, is trash. Too many STO's are company men. They are the biggest reason that moral in the teams are at an all time low. Truth.
Are you CCT?
Yes. Retired in 2008.
@@JBCCT01 how good do CCT’s get paid. Do special operators get paid good?
@@gabrielwilliams5387 enlisted versus office base pays are different. When I was in 99-2008, we got Military free fall, dive, demo and special duty pay.
You have to remain cumin jumps, dive, demo pay to continue to get it.
It was close to $1200-1300 in those duties. I do t know how much they get but I’m sure it’s comparable.
Hope this helps. JB
@@JBCCT01 what’s the lifestyle like. Do you live on base with everyone else? You stay in barracks?
Bad interviewer, too many interuptions
If you think I’m bad at interviewing, you should watch me as a PJ. Can you link me to YOUR video of good interviewing?
@@OnesReady
No link necessary, just keep in mind it's hard for the viewer to hear your guest with the constant interuptions. I understand this was pretty casual since you two work together everyday.
That’s crazy bro, you should hop on the podcast and give it a go. I wonder how boxing translates to interviewing
@@thomastucker2774
Just offering some criticism, always room for improvenent.
He a PJ first ding dong
USAF "sof" is nothing. It's a waste of money. Full of wanna bes who couldn't actually make it to a real service with real special operation units.
Sure man. You can leave now.
Sorry you fee that way. Are you speaking from your experience on those other special operations teams?
@@OnesReady yes
@@timmybobby4052 Awesome. Which one? Did you ever want to try the DoD's highest attrition rate in SOF (Pararescue)?
@@OnesReady He served in the Salvation Army under Colonel Sanders.
Look how young you looked in this Aaron. I mean you can still tell you were born in the 1900’s but that gray hair really crept up quick. Two more years and you’ll be whiter than Coach Edgerton