So, you're going to the Pararescue Orientation Course in 2005? Trust me, PJOC is not easy! You're going to want to start preparing for PJOC the day you read this article - the more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy PJOC. The 2004 activity director, Captain Sever, has requested that the graduates refrain from giving out specifics of the course. We all completely understand because we know that it would absolutely ruin the first-time experience if you knew what was coming. The whole "PJOC Experience" is not knowing what you're going to be doing within the next fifteen minutes, and then depending one-hundred percent on your teammates to help you get through it when it hits you. Every day when I woke up, my first thought would be "DUDE it's cold!!" My second thought was always "I wonder if I'll be sent home today..." Looking back, I wish I prepared myself physically a lot more than I did. Below are three simple ways to prepare for the most physically challenging NCSA. Just keep in mind that there is absolutely NO way to be completely ready for everything they dish out.

Start Working Out NOW.

There are five parts to the PJOC PT test: running, push-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, and pull-ups. However, the PT test is just a very small part to the physical aspect of PJOC. The very first thing you do in the morning is PT - a lot of PT. I'm not going to say how long PT lasts, but you've probably never worked out for so long at one time in your life. To prepare for the running, run at least two to three miles every day. Also, run up and down steep hills if possible. And every once in a while go running in your BDUs with your 24-hour gear.

You may think you're good with push-ups, but you'll probably be surprised (in a bad way) at PJOC. If your push-ups aren't absolutely perfect form, they won't count. The same goes for sit-ups; if they're not absolutely perfect, they won't count. Also, sit-ups at PJOC are scored differently than the "curl-ups" in CAPP 52-18. According to CAPP 52-18, you just need to touch your upper-thigh with your elbows to count. At PJOC, your back needs to break the 90-degree plane to count. That basically means that you have to start with your back completely on the ground, and then go up so your back is actually tilted forward a little. Touching the tops of your knees with your elbows won't even count - your back has to break the 90-degree plane and the only way to do this is to extend your elbows beyond your knees. Usually, your hands are cupped behind your head, but sometimes the instructors will make you hold your earlobes while doing sit-ups. If you don't see how that would make a difference, try about thirty each way.

As for flutter kicks: I think it's pretty safe to say that flutter kicks are your worst enemy at PJOC. The much hated phrase, "The next exercise will be the flutter kick!" was almost always immediately followed with a resounding groan. To prepare just do flutter kicks. Do a LOT of them. Make sure you do them in perfect form, too. For the starting position, your legs should be extended straight out (knees not bent), and your feet should be six inches off the ground (get used to keeping them there for extended periods of time). Make sure that you're raising your legs all thirty-six inches when you're doing the flutter kicks. Not ten inches, not twenty inches, not even thirty inches - only the flutter kicks where you raise your legs all thirty-six inches will count.

You'll also need absolutely perfect form for the pull-ups. It doesn't matter which way your hands are facing (towards or away from you), just as long as your chin rises completely above the bar for when you're up, and your arms are completely extended and not bent at all for when you're down. Also, don't try to rock or swing up. You'll look like an idiot and the Pararescuemen will laugh at you while repeating "zero, zero, zero..." until you complete one correctly.

Always remember, PJOC is in northern New Mexico. The altitude makes a BIG difference. For the final PT test at PJOC, I ran over a seven and a half minute mile. Several days later at the National Color Guard Competition, I ran a 5:53 mile. Starting your workout NOW is the best favor you can do yourself.

Take a Hike

Get your 72-hour pack on, load it with about thirty-five pounds of gear, and go take a hike. Don't come back for at least ten hours, and go with at least two other devoted buddies. Make sure you're hiking up and down stuff that's anywhere from fifteen degrees steep, to thirty degrees steep. If possible, don't take a trail and don't do switchbacks- just plod straight up the hill/mountain/whatever. If your pack is not completely comfortable during this hike, you're going to definitely want to look into getting another pack before PJOC. Don't be afraid to get a civilian pack- I've got a Gregory Banshee, and I prefer it to every same-size military pack I've seen. Civilian internal-frame multi-day packs made by companies like Gregory, Marmot, Osprey, The North Face, Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, and others are the best and overall most comfortable packs you're going to be able to get. Just because they don't match your uniform shouldn't discourage you from looking into one. Remember, "The 72-hour pack is not subject to uniformity - color and size does not matter" (taken from the "Ground & Urban Direction Finding Team Tasks" book). While you're on your hike, also be aware of how much effort it takes to keep yourself hydrated. If you have to take off your pack to take a drink of water, you will definitely need to change that. You should be able to easily take a drink while you're walking. If you don't have a hydration system, I strongly suggest purchasing one. Water will be one of your best friends at PJOC- you'll be hiking with it, running with it, and doing push-ups and flutter kicks with/in it. You absolutely need to have easy access to water all the time, especially while you're hiking. It's also essential that you take care of your feet. Make sure your boots are well broken-in and that you have good socks (I highly suggest smartwools). If you encounter any other problems during this hike, make sure it's fixed before PJOC or you'll seriously regret it.

Use your sleeping bag.

On a cold night, go outside and sleep in your sleeping bag. If you're uncomfortably cold, you need to definitely look into purchasing a warmer sleeping bag. Another thing that you want to get if you don't already have is a sleeping pad. A good sleeping pad not only makes your night more comfortable, but it also prevents you from losing body heat through the ground and it keeps you dry. There are many different types of sleeping pads, but if you're looking into buying one my personal suggestion is an inflatable therm-a-rest. I have had mine for a long time, and I've been more than pleased with it. Just as a word of warning- it gets COLD at PJOC. I have a pretty high tolerance to cold (I go out all the time in shorts and a t-shirt when there's snow on the ground), but I have never been more cold than at PJOC. A warm sleeping bag is a must.

Even if you're the most physically fit cadet there, and even if you've got the best equipment, there's still one thing that you need to take to PJOC. Team spirit. If you're not willing to be a team player, you might as well just stay home. I can honestly say that without every one of the 48 other cadets that were at PJOC with me, I would not have graduated. A proactive team spirit is by far the most important thing for you to bring to PJOC. Without it, you will not graduate.

Good luck.