Kirtland Pararescue Paramedic Course

Kirtland Pararescue Paramedic Course is a training program that is offered to members of the United States Air Force (USAF) Pararescue Corps. This program provides comprehensive medical training and critical survival capabilities to its participants in order to ensure they are highly qualified to perform the essential task of rescuing downed military personnel in dangerous or hostile environments. The Pararescue Paramedic Course, which is often referred to as the PJC, is the only USAF Pararescue Course of its kind and is a prerequisite for continuing training in the United States Air Force Paramedic Course. The course takes place at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is six weeks in duration. It usually takes place in the summer months and is designed to prepare students for their future roles as pararescue paramedics. It provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of being a Pararescue Paramedic, which includes wilderness medicine, trauma topics, advanced airway management skills, and advanced skills in cardiac and trauma care. It also covers special operations medicine, such as water rescue and high-altitude pararescue. The Kirtland Pararescue Paramedic Course includes rigorous physical and mental conditioning, as well as military training in the form of marching drills and weapons training. It also includes several field training exercises where participants are taught survival skills while conducting missions in real-world environments. The course culminates in a final evaluation that tests the student's proficiency in all areas they have been taught. Upon completing the course, graduates are eligible to take the United States Air Force Paramedic Course and eventually serve as certified Pararescue Paramedics in the USAF.