CAP Talk

Cadet Programs => Encampments & NCSAs => Topic started by: FNelson on September 13, 2017, 03:06:40 PM

Title: Questions about PJOC
Post by: FNelson on September 13, 2017, 03:06:40 PM
I am thinking about attending Pararescue Orientation Course this summer if it is available and I am curious about what I should expect and what I should do to prepare.  I have heard that it is very intense and I think it would be a very interesting experience.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: SarDragon on September 13, 2017, 07:15:11 PM
The first thing you can do is dig up the physical fitness test and see how well you do today, then work to exceed the standards.

This (http://www.ncsas.com/file.cfm/media/careerfairs/documents/PFE_Evaluation_and_Training_Guide_f_FDF23E6BCE322.pdf) is the description of the test.

This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgJkQLIjJnQ) is a 14min video from the AF about their test. Some sections may not apply; watch it all the way through.

Start now getting ready for it.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: etodd on September 13, 2017, 11:15:40 PM
If you like FB:

https://www.facebook.com/Pararescue-Orientation-Course-Civil-Air-Patrol-160296861500/ (https://www.facebook.com/Pararescue-Orientation-Course-Civil-Air-Patrol-160296861500/)

Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: PHall on September 14, 2017, 01:09:27 AM
You WILL be administered a PT test on your arrival. If you fail any part of it you're gone, right now.
So start working out and remember, Kirkland is at 5500 feet. Pretty thin air if you're from the flatlands.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: FNelson on September 14, 2017, 05:45:03 PM
Thanks for the help, and for the person who mentioned Kirtalnds altitude, I live in Santa Fe, which is about an hour north of Kirtland at about 7000 feet so that won't be a problem but you do make a good point.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Panzerbjorn on September 20, 2017, 12:34:04 PM
PM me your email address and I'll pass it along to my son.  He went to PJOC last summer and graduated.  I emphasize graduated as you'll need a higher level of physical fitness to graduate vs participate.  I'm told that not everyone who participated actually graduated and can wear the patch.  I'll ask him to email you and give you information on how to physically prepare.  I can tell you with certainty is to start working on your pull-ups.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).

Follow SarDragon's suggestion.  Everything you need to know is published on the NCSA site.  And as SarDragon also pointed out, don't just meet the standard; crush it.


Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Alaric on September 20, 2017, 04:30:24 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).


Just out of curiosity, why would gathering intelligence be frowned upon?  People shouldn't be well informed?  Or does G2 have a different meaning vis-à-vis CAP/PJOC course?
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Panzerbjorn on September 20, 2017, 05:00:23 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).

Follow SarDragon's suggestion.  Everything you need to know is published on the NCSA site.  And as SarDragon also pointed out, don't just meet the standard; crush it.

Considering there's an entire documentary series devoted to the ACTUAL PJ training program, I highly doubt that anyone is going to get their shorts in a bunch about questions on how to prepare for PJOC.

https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Warriors/dp/B01N31D78E
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 05:47:59 PM
Quote from: Alaric on September 20, 2017, 04:30:24 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).


Just out of curiosity, why would gathering intelligence be frowned upon?  People shouldn't be well informed?  Or does G2 have a different meaning vis-à-vis CAP/PJOC course?
There are many components to the course.  The desire is for each cadet to have a similar experience.  That opportunity is diminished as info is shared.  It's one reason you won't find a lot of info on the course here or elsewhere.  The staff and instructors spend an incredible amount of time prepping to keep the course special. 

As mentioned, everything a cadet needs to know in advance, including a training program, is available on the NCSA page.  Any additional info a cadet may need will be provided once they are accepted to the course.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 05:49:16 PM
Quote from: Panzerbjorn on September 20, 2017, 05:00:23 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).

Follow SarDragon's suggestion.  Everything you need to know is published on the NCSA site.  And as SarDragon also pointed out, don't just meet the standard; crush it.

Considering there's an entire documentary series devoted to the ACTUAL PJ training program, I highly doubt that anyone is going to get their shorts in a bunch about questions on how to prepare for PJOC.

https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Warriors/dp/B01N31D78E
He was provided direction on how to prepare.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Alaric on September 20, 2017, 06:00:37 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 05:47:59 PM
Quote from: Alaric on September 20, 2017, 04:30:24 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).


Just out of curiosity, why would gathering intelligence be frowned upon?  People shouldn't be well informed?  Or does G2 have a different meaning vis-à-vis CAP/PJOC course?
There are many components to the course.  The desire is for each cadet to have a similar experience.  That opportunity is diminished as info is shared.  It's one reason you won't find a lot of info on the course here or elsewhere.  The staff and instructors spend an incredible amount of time prepping to keep the course special. 

As mentioned, everything a cadet needs to know in advance, including a training program, is available on the NCSA page.  Any additional info a cadet may need will be provided once they are accepted to the course.

Seems foolishly restrictive as I prefer students that are motivated to seek knowledge.  I always get concerned when people restrict information for no useful purpose.  However as I have no intention of attending the PJOC course as an SM I have no dog in the hunt, enjoy the "secret squirrel"
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 06:17:22 PM
Quote from: Alaric on September 20, 2017, 06:00:37 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 05:47:59 PM
Quote from: Alaric on September 20, 2017, 04:30:24 PM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jester on September 14, 2017, 01:29:12 AM
Anybody ever staff it as a SM?
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).


Just out of curiosity, why would gathering intelligence be frowned upon?  People shouldn't be well informed?  Or does G2 have a different meaning vis-à-vis CAP/PJOC course?
There are many components to the course.  The desire is for each cadet to have a similar experience.  That opportunity is diminished as info is shared.  It's one reason you won't find a lot of info on the course here or elsewhere.  The staff and instructors spend an incredible amount of time prepping to keep the course special. 

As mentioned, everything a cadet needs to know in advance, including a training program, is available on the NCSA page.  Any additional info a cadet may need will be provided once they are accepted to the course.

Seems foolishly restrictive as I prefer students that are motivated to seek knowledge.  I always get concerned when people restrict information for no useful purpose.  However as I have no intention of attending the PJOC course as an SM I have no dog in the hunt, enjoy the "secret squirrel"
Opinions differ, especially from those with experience.  This course is not Blue Beret, IACE, or similar nor is it intended to be.  You may not like it but as stated previously, everything a cadet needs to know in advance is provided on the NCSA site. 
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Jester on September 21, 2017, 06:49:35 AM
I just want to know what the SM staff role is for the course. You can keep all the super secret activities like push-ups and knifing sentries behind the OPSEC curtain.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: CAPLTC on September 25, 2017, 01:28:41 AM
Quote from: A.Member on September 20, 2017, 06:17:22 PM
Yes and attempting to G2 the course from any angle is highly frowned upon (those that have attended this course or APJOC understand this).

This is a strange attitude.
One can get a download of what to expect @ SWCS... why not a cadet NCSA?
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: Fubar on September 25, 2017, 01:54:14 AM
Quote from: CAPLTC on September 25, 2017, 01:28:41 AM
This is a strange attitude.
One can get a download of what to expect @ SWCS... why not a cadet NCSA?

I wonder how parents feel about it too.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: SarDragon on September 25, 2017, 02:07:41 AM
In my experience, there are events whose particulars should come as a bit of a surprise, with a minimum of knowledge ahead of time. Two I can think of right off the bat are SERE School and USN Chief's initiation. People who have been through them don't talk about what they went through with those who haven't. There's a rite of passage involved. I think PJOC has a similar policy.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: PHall on September 25, 2017, 02:44:27 AM
Quote from: SarDragon on September 25, 2017, 02:07:41 AM
In my experience, there are events whose particulars should come as a bit of a surprise, with a minimum of knowledge ahead of time. Two I can think of right off the bat are SERE School and USN Chief's initiation. People who have been through them don't talk about what they went through with those who haven't. There's a rite of passage involved. I think PJOC has a similar policy.


Exactly right!
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: CAP9907 on September 25, 2017, 03:52:15 AM
Quote from: Jester on September 21, 2017, 06:49:35 AM
I just want to know what the SM staff role is for the course. You can keep all the super secret activities like push-ups and knifing sentries behind the OPSEC curtain.

I think everyone is missing the point we have now come to.... my man here is simply looking to see what a SM does at the activity. He is not looking for the codes to the football or secret stash; nobody wants to break your precious wall of silence. Jeez, you guys are thinking like this is a TS/SCI issue... get over yourselves already, it's a NCSA!!!

YMMV,

Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: CAPSOC_0pur8ur on April 13, 2018, 08:27:56 PM
Just out of curiosity, did you end up getting accepted?
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: FNelson on October 21, 2018, 03:57:38 AM
I did, I was assigned to Papa Flight and was able to graduate.
Title: Re: Questions about PJOC
Post by: SarDragon on October 21, 2018, 07:35:22 AM
Since this appears to have run its course, it's over.
Click.