Special Operations Airmen are highly trained specialists capable of deploying in combat and hostile environments and have some of the most demanding jobs in the U.S. Air Force. To become a part of this highly elite group, it requires dedication and endurance to withstand rigorous training that challenges an individual both physically and mentally.

Most Special Operations recruits believe they are ready to take on the task, but previous attrition rates show most will fail to complete the training.

In order to reduce the attrition rate, 2nd Air Force and Air Force Recruiting Service partnered to create the Special Operations Developer Program.

As part of the program professionally and technically experienced personnel, known as "developers," work with each recruit to improve their physical, mental and nutritional attributes; and to prepare them for their Course of Initial Entry into their specific career track. The careers these developers work with are Pararescue, Combat Control, Special Operations Weather, Tactical Air Control Party, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.

The process begins when a recruiter finds a potential Special Operations or Combat Support applicant. Once the applicant is identified and processed through the Military Entrance Processing Station, the recruiter will assign the applicant to an Air Force Spec Ops developer, who will administer their Physical Ability and Stamina Test. After successfully passing their first PAST, the applicant is considered a Spec Ops or Combat Support candidate. The developer will then continue to provide customized workout regimens, nutritional counseling and self-directed homework to inform the candidate of their particular career field.

"This program helps recruits because it sets the standards, and it gives them an idea of what the requirements are and how hard it’s going to be," said Steve Barrons, Air Force Special Operations developer. "We make sure they know the mechanics, that way they know what a pull-up looks like, what a push-up looks like, the sit-up requirements, and we give them pointers on the best way to swim, and best way to train."

Candidates like Oscar Delgado, who is training for Pararescue and is scheduled to leave for Basic Military Training in October, was able to experience the program firsthand.

"It starts training your mindset, on how you need to prepare your body and your mind for the training that will come in the future," he said. "I don’t think I would have prepared myself the way that I have been without Steve Barrons’ help."

The program also allows the recruiters and the developers to determine whether a candidate is prepared to enter the pipeline.

"This program assists recruiters by providing them real-time data of the likelihood the candidate will successfully complete the course of instruction," Glenn Palmer, T3i Candidate Development Support Services program manager said. "The developer makes recommendations to the recruiter on when a candidate is prepared and ready to ship to Basic Military Training, then on to the schoolhouse."

Staff Sgt. Venus Owens, 341st Recruiting Squadron recruiter, thinks that the developers are beneficial to applicants going into the SO or CS career fields.

"Since we joined with the developers, applicants come in knowing what to expect," she said. "We have someone who knows exactly what is required for the testing, someone to give them answers and provide them the correct information."

While it is still early in the process to gauge the success through the full training pipeline, initial results from the Day 1 fitness test has shown a substantial increase (more than 30 percent and climbing) in the number of candidates passing the test and starting the initial training course.

Currently, there are 21 field developers who are assigned to the recruiting squadrons. A BMT developer is also available to continue monitoring and developing SO and CO candidates throughout BMT.

"We have developers representing each of the six SO and CS career fields," Palmer said. "All developers have served within one of those career fields for a minimum of six years, many of them are retired and continue to serve their country in this important endeavor in order to pass on their knowledge and skill sets to generate the next generation of Air Force warriors."