The US Air Force is facing challenges in filling vacancies in its Special Warfare division (AFSPECWAR) due to a lack of awareness among potential recruits, a service-commissioned study has found.
The Rand Corporation, a federally funded think tank based in California, found in its recent survey that 82 percent of the respondents reported having “limited to no familiarity” with such a division in the air force.
That is in stark contrast to its counterparts in other services, such as the US Navy SEALs and the US Army Special Forces, which have unfamiliarity rates of only 4 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
“These results confirm Air Force beliefs that there is limited awareness of its special operators, and the lack of a clear and compelling brand is a key challenge to recruiting,” the report stated.
To address this issue, the study recommends developing “new narratives” to spark curiosity about special warfare roles like pararescue, special reconnaissance, and tactical air control.
The service should also encourage potential recruits to seek more information about the division to better understand the unique opportunities it offers.
‘Quiet Professionalism’
Despite its negative impacts on recruitment, some AFSPECWAR trainees view the lack of public recognition as an advantage.
They refer to it as “quiet professionalism,” which reportedly provides a better quality of life compared to their more recognized counterparts in the army and navy.
“What drew me in is just how quiet the community was,” one trainee told Rand. “I mean, the SEALs, the Green Berets, and everybody knows what those are, but I like a job where … the outside world does not really know but yet you’re crucial to those units.”
Getting in is Another Hurdle
According to the report, the AFSPECWAR has consistently struggled to meet its recruitment goals.
The “highly demanding” recruitment process reportedly makes it difficult for those who are familiar with and interested in joining the force to actually enlist.
Historically, fewer than 30 percent of candidates complete initial skills training, which hinders the air force from building a substantial pool of recruits
“Communities like Air Force Special Warfare face even greater difficulties because of the physical and mental challenges,” the report noted.
