Special Warfare Officers – AF Special Warfare
Special Warfare Officers

Special Warfare Officers

AFSPECWAR officers conduct all-domain conventional and special operations missions to achieve joint force objectives, disrupt competitor activities, and deny adversaries’ ability to exploit isolated personnel. They command operations that seamlessly integrate all-domain, interagency, and multi-national capabilities. AFSPECWAR officers serve as global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery subject matter experts on operational and functional staffs. Lastly, they are responsible for leading, organizing, training, and equipping the Special Tacitics, TACP, and Guardian Angel weapon systems.

Specialty Shredouts

The AFSPECWAR Officer career field includes three shredouts: Special Tactics, TACP, and Combat Rescue.

Special Tactics Officer (STO)

Special Tactics Officer emblem

A Special Tactics Officer leads special operations forces conducting global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery operations across multiple domains to support the joint force commander. They provide air traffic control, terminal attack control, command and control, and enables operational interface among air, space, and cyber assets to the ground and maritime forces. Generally regarded as the officer counterpart to Air Force Combat Control

TACP Officer (TACPO)

TACP Officer Emblem

Leads combat air forces (CAF) and SOF conducting precision strike, the application and integration of joint fires, and all-domain command and control operations to support the JFC. Generally regarded as the officer counterpart to Air Force TACP

Combat Rescue Officer (CRO)

Combat Rescue Officer emblem

Leads CAF and SOF conducting personnel recovery operations to report, locate, support, recover, and reintegrate isolated personnel across all domains to support the JFC. Generally regarded as the officer counterpart to Air Force Pararescue


Entry Requirements

  • Successful completion of an AFSPECWAR Initial Officer Assessment & Selection Course (Phase I & Phase II).
  • Physical qualification for aircrew, parachute, and marine diving duty according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.  (For more information, visit our Medical Eligibility Page.)
  • Meet the Initial Appointment Eligibility Standards for Officer Accessions, outlined in Air Force Manual 36-2032. Requirements in the manual include:
    • A U.S. Citizen
    • Between ages of 18 – 40
    • Possess any baccalaureate degree (no specific degree requirements)

How To Join

Interested in becoming a Special Warfare Officer? See our How To Join page.