What special training do you think members of this specialized field should strive for?

Rather than list special training that you should/might undertake, I think it is better to walk you through a "mission analysis" thought process. Goes to helping you in how to think rather than what to think.
- What is the unit/mission? ensure an acceptable level of close-in security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats
- How will you conduct the mission? Teams of 2-4 specially trained and equipped security forces personnel deploy as aircrew members on AMC missions as designated by the AMC Threat Working Group. The Raven teams help detect, deter and counter threats to AMC aircraft by performing close-in aircraft security; advising aircrews on force protection measures; conducting airfield assessments; and assisting aircrews in the performance of their duties when not performing their primary security duties.
- What is your background? Personal strengths/weaknesses? Only you can answer this.
- What special training will help you to complete your mission and how you conduct your mission?
- I recommend you look less at your listed "bling" schools such as Pathfinder or Airborne School which look like they do not direct support either your mission or your career field and take a harder look at Army MP/Air Force SP courses, MI courses, and Aviation courses that will more directly apply to this career field and mission. In a nuthshell, it looks like you need to be able to provide security, ID threats, and assist aircrews.

Let's try to answer the question from my limited experience in Training. Pathfinder? No, not even remotely a part of the SF skill set. Jump School? Yes, but only if you will be assigned to 820 BDG at Moody or 105 BDS at Stewart ANGB. Ranger School? Only if you would be assigned to the units I mentioned or you cross-train as a pararescueman or TACP.

If the waiver is approved, big mother AF will like take you back as 3P0XX (Security Forces). Good training options for SF would be:

- Phoenix Raven
- Combat Leader's Course (for the SF-centric fieldcraft)
- Special Reaction Team (type-8 Army course at FLW)
- Inter-service Nonlethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course (type-8 USMC course at FLW)

If you could miraculously get an Army course, go Air Assault. It's a useful skill to have out in the boonies.

If you really want to make a difference, start learning now how to be a good first-level supervisor - before ALS or anything else. Find the NCO that is leading from the front and observe and learn from him or her. The AF needs that most of all. It isn't a cool, sexy school with bling but it will make the most difference.

Does that make sense? Good luck with the waiver.

SSgt (Join to see)

First, congratulations on your decision/quest to reenter the military. Looks like you have your mind set on a path. That is good and you should pursue it.

Although I am (was) Army, I am fairly familiar with the Phoenix Raven (PR) program, having served as the senior law enforcement and security officer in two joint commands since the inception of the PR Program. I am not familiar, however, with the requirements for entry into the program or whether there are prerequisites for entry (like Airborne qualification, etc.) or if personnel are sent to the required schools after selection and assignment to the program.

My recommendation is to find out all you can about the program and do your best to met the selection criteria. Then, if successful in getting selected, you will be afforded the opportunity to attend the training determined to be necessary to perform your mission.

I assume it would be very difficult for an Air Force member to obtain a training slot to Airborne School, Pathfinder School, Ranger School, etc. if they were not requirements for the assignment.

Seek out folks who are familiar with the program and requirements and find out how you best should approach your goal.

Good luck...

I suggest learning about them, find out availability, talk to your training NCOIC, talk to your chief, and convince your CC.

I think because you are basically air crew until landing and after take-off, concentrate on what the ground game will be.

Jump school - Only beneficial if you had to exit said aircraft in case of in-flight emergency, so important - maybe, but not necessarily a need.

Pathfinder - More beneficial because of the added bonus of being able to do sling load operations, they teach you aircraft repelling, and you're able to provide air traffic control and navigational assistance to aircraft within an operational site control zone, but that is only from the ground...not from the aircraft, so beneficial, but not necessary.

Ranger School - more aligned with what some of the duties of the Raven program are...that is the Ranger's primary mission is to engage in close combat and direct-fire battles, and the Raven team is aircraft protection up to and including close-combat and direct-fire battles, but still, this school is a little overkill for a Raven team because the Rangers tend to go to places that close-combat and direct-fire battles are the norm, while a Raven team is all about prep 'in case' of these things.

Seems to me that the 2-week 14 hour a day training you receive would be the most beneficial as it directly correlates to the job at hand. I could see a little more CQB stuff being beneficial too and maybe throw in a little SERE training just to be safe.

Moral of this long post...any training you get will be beneficial, it will just take using the right skills at the right time to make it relevant for the job at hand.

P.S. looks like a cool job (even for security forces :-) )

Depends on your career path... For my previous career feild, anything that had to do with SIGINT or Math.

Joint Fire Observer Course, and Counter Sniper would be a good start. Personally I think you need to come over to the dark side. No im not talking about joining Politics im talking about being a TACP:)

..good luck? Yes you could potentially do all of the above. However, if that's what you want your looking at the wrong branch or wrong afsc. Yes security forces can once in a blue moon do those schools. But you have to weigh in your odds of being that one lucky individual.

I would say that a lot of these schools are not really what some think they are. I have no clue how Pathfinder would play into a role of Security Forces. I did have a Airman in my Ranger class but it is not really something builds your ability to be in Security Forces. Jump School is really pointless. Let's just be honest.

Now if you were to be in the infantry those would be some great schools. But you are going to be in Security Forces. It is not the same and the schools should focus on your skill set. I was a civilian cop for a while and if I were in Security I would look at maybe sniper but I would be more interested in anything with AFSOI. If you want some Hooah schools you can always try the Army.