Pararescue

In the United States Air Force, there exists a group of about 300 men. Extraordinary men.

Some people call them supermen. Others call them heroes. Unofficially, the Air Force refers to them as Guardian Angels.

These men call themselves PJs.

It does not, in fact, stand for Pajamas. Nope. It stands for Pararescuemen; an updated name for the antiquated "Para Jumper" or PJ.

They are noble men. Many hear of the heroics of the Navy SEALs who engage in covert operations in sea, air or land. Some know of the Delta Force and the Green Berets, men who are the very best at being the very best. We all know the stories of raids and quick special forces attacks.

Yet very few people know of Pararescueman. And the PJs like it that way. They are a quiet bunch. Never seeking fame or glory. Definitely not seeking fortune. (Most barely scrape by with the infamous military pay that leaves some soldiers below the "poverty line") 

You see... PJs are special soldiers. They don't attack. At least, thats not their primary objective. They have one mission and one mission only. To save lives and aid the injured. They will do whatever it takes to accomplish that mission. Whether it be to climb to the top of Denali in Alaska or to trek for days searching for one missing soul, they will do it.

Pararescumen train for over two years, working a little harder, digging a little deeper than all the others in the armed forces. They have to be better. They have to be stronger. Because when Navy SEALs or Green Berets need help, they call for the PJ's. 

PJs are the most highly decorated Air Force enlisted force. They've been awarded one Medal of Honor, twelve Air Force Crosses, and 105 Silver Stars. 

That valor doesn't come without cost. 

In just the 12 years since Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, 10 pararescueman have paid the ultimate price and died "that others may live."

They know full well the risks. So do their families. But they have a sense of duty and purpose that drives them to serve their fellow men and save precious lives so that those men and women can return to their families. 

A song that was often heard when my father was deployed encapsulates what PJs, and all other military members, are.

I'm just trying to be a father,
Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at 'em bright and early,
I'm all business in my suit,
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success from my head down to my boots,
I don't do it for money, there's still bills that I can't pay,
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,
Providing for our future's my responsibility,
Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,
And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core,
And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,
Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dying's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with an honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.
I'm an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines, so sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American,
An American,
An American Soldier

That song holds a special place in my heart. One that is reserved for America, Freedom, and its defenders. My father served 10 years in the Air Force and is currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He stood ready to do his duty and to sacrifice everything for you and I, and for those who desire to have the same freedom that we do.

I believe that someday, I will become a pararescueman. I hope that I wont have to die for this country. But I will if it is asked of me. Because it will be my duty as a Pararescueman to save lives and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I will do, that others may live.

Hoo-Yah