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"Montana Seven" kick off recruiting squadron's special ops fitness competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Patrick D. Bergeron
  • 368th Recruiting Squadron
BUTTE, Mont. --  For many, a good Saturday morning consists of sleeping in, having some breakfast and reading the local newspaper. However, a good Saturday morning for seven young men testing to join the elite ranks of Air Force Special Operators required a bit more energy and effort.

The seven men from Montana competed in the 368th Recruiting Squadron's first Special Forces Physical Ability and Strength Test competition July 26.  Sponsored by the Butte YMCA, which awarded free memberships to the top three finishers, the grueling test consisted of swimming two 20-meter underwater laps and a 500-meter freestyle timed lap, completing a 1.5-mile timed run, and doing a minimum number of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and flutter-kicks.

"This (challenge) will help these young men get ready for technical training, where they will spend a lot of time and effort in the water," said Col. James Wright, 720th Special Tactics Group flight surgeon. "This will help to keep their hearts and minds into it."

Family and friends of the seven were on hand to watch the challenging competition.  The father of the winner predicted a bright future for his son with the Air Force.

"I'm very proud of my son, not only that he is competing in this, but that he is joining the U.S. Air Force," said Perry Butcher, father of the winner, Devin Butcher. "I'm very proud of the choices he has made in life. He is a great kid who will do amazing things." 

Air Force combat controllers work alongside Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs to secure landing and drop zones in hostile territory, then serve as certified air traffic controllers to facilitate further air, personnel and cargo drops. Pararescuemen, or PJs, perform combat search and rescue missions and are emergency trauma specialists on the battlefield.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony Terrando, a 720th Special Tactics Group combat controller, officiated the event. The Iraq and Afghanistan veteran said he is continually impressed by the quality applicants Montana produces. The sergeant speaks with every applicant who chooses to enlist into pararescue or combat control, ensuring they have the tools necessary to complete the two-year school and to compete to rank at the top of their class. 

"Montana is a vast state with many outdoor wilderness and adventure seekers who find special operations jobs appealing," Sergeant Terrando said. "The adrenaline junkies who apply for pararescue and combat control love the thought of jumping out of airplanes, scuba diving and rock climbing, and serving our great nation at the same time."

The event was the first of many future Air Force Special Operations competitions the 368th RCS hass planned in Montana. The squadron's goal is to inform all Montana residents about the more than 140 different jobs the Air Force has to offer, including special forces.