That Others May Live

"That Others May Live"  - four simple words, but these four words are the last four words of the Pararescuemen Creed.  A creed that is taken to heart, and and is truly lived by. 

The Pararescuemen live and die by their creed, by the last four words "That others may live".  Over the course of the past several years the PJ Brotherhood have lost several members of their family.  Tragically their loved ones had to endure the heartbreaking moments of a military funeral, a flag draped coffin, that flag folded and handed to the next of kin, ending with the sounds of TAPS being played.  In a career field of less than 400 personnel worldwide, each member lost is tragic.

In support of the families, the "That Others May Live Foundation" was organized.  Established in 2002, "That Others May Live", or also known as TOML, is a non-profit 501 (c)3 charitable organization.  Providing support, scholarships and overall assistance to the families of the United States Air Force Rescue Heroes who lose their lives or are critically injured during both real world and training missions.

TOML is continually hosting fundraisers across the country.  You may also purchase items with their logo, proceeds going to TOML, of course.  If you visit their website at: www.thatothersmaylive.org  you can find more information and make online donations to this great cause!

PJ Creed

Pararescueman Creed

"It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life

and to aid the injured.

I will be prepared at all times to perform my

assigned duties quickly and efficiently,

placing these duties before

personal desires and comforts.

These things I do,

that others may live."

The most selfless three lines spoken...









Charlie the PJ

The legend goes...

In 1964 on a small island in Fiji, Tony "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" Willis was drawn to a very odd object one day.  This object was merely 18 in height, and was a carved wooden South Sea demi god.  This "Demi God" did not fit any real expectations of what a "Demi God" should look like, noooo.  This particular one has unbelievable proportions, and well, is ugly.  Tony fell in love with him.

Once back at Eglin AFB FL, "Charlie" as the Demi God was soon christened, and became more popular then Tony himself.  "Charlie" was administered a qualification ride, and received his maroon beret, a parachute, diving mask, and fins.

Charlie became very famous, very quickly and was requested at many ceremonies.  That's when it all began.

Charlie the PJs first abduction started later that year by an "assailant" of the Pararescue brotherhood.  Charlie was whisked away and taken to 55th AARS,

Many abductions soon followed.  Charlie has been across continents by land, by sea, and by air.  He has jumped into the deserts of the Middle East and climbed the ice bergs of Alaska.  He basks in the sun on tropical islands.  Charlie has truly lived an exceptional life as a PJ.

Over the years, rules have been made and are followed strictly by the PJ Brotherhood.  They are as follows:

1. Charlie will be absconded only by fully and currently qualified or retired PARARESCUEMEN.
2. Any effort by non-PARARESCUE personnel to abscond Charlie will be met with the full, unified force of the career field.
3. Charlie will physically occupy and dominate a place of honor at all PARARESCUE functions in which his presence is expected.
4. Efforts to abscond Charlie will not be instituted until the final hours of the function of which he is in attendance.
5. Only covert measures reflecting great pride upon the PARARESCUE career field will be employed during Charlie's acquisition.
6. Physical violence will not be employed except during circumstances in Rule 2 above.
7. Area destruction during any acquisition effort will be kept to a minimum except during circumstances reflected in Rule 2 above.
8. Charlie will not be altered or changed in any manner unless authorized by the consensus of the PARARESCUE Association officiated by the President of the Association.
9. His location need not be made public; however, he will be prominently displayed at all times during his tenure at his hosting PARARESCUE team's section.
10. Charlie will be transferred from point-to-point only through the most secure means, inclusive of U.S. Postal System, UPS, Federal Express, etc.
11. If Charlie is absconded by a recognized PARARESCUE retiree, that individual will not retain custody of him for more than one seven- day period before surrendering him to the operational PARARESCUE team of his choice.

-- OR --

The curse of a thousand PJs will be on you
if you violate these written rules!

For more information about Charlie the PJ visit:

http://www.pararescue.com/history.aspx?id=451

Domestic Rescues

Combat Rescue - Pararescue Jumper - PJ - Special Operations...  when people mention or talk about what these individuals do they automatically think about dropping into a war zone and pulling out a downed pilot, a shot soldier or an injured Marine who stepped on an IED.  Very true, they do all of that, and more.  However, what many don't realize is what they actually do when they are not in the war zone.  Okay yes, they train, and train, and train some more.  Not a day goes by that they are not working on bettering themselves, physically or mentally, in order to do their jobs better.  But wait there is more....

June 2013 in  Mt Hood, Oregon, 4 PJs and a CRO (Combat Rescue Officer) were called up from the 304th Rescue Squadron to participate in an on-going search and rescue mission of a lost hiker.  The Hiker was an experienced hiker from Salem, OR had gone missing. Earlier in March they responded to a missing female hiker and in 2012 the 304th were called upon and also, again assisted in the search and rescue of a missing hiker.  The 304th flew over 100 missions during the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 in hopes to find survivors and rescue them.

http://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=12335367

374th Expeditionary Rescue Group PJs airlifted nearly 3000 people from the New Orleans area during Hurricane Katrina.  Hours after the storm slammed the area the pararescuemen were called upon and worked the clock 24 hrs a day pulling hundreds of people to safety daily and taking them to nearby hospitals.

212th Rescue Squadron of Alaska perform hundreds of search and rescue missions every year, saving lives of those there in Alaska.  They work diligently with the 176th Wing and their sister units; the Alaskan State Troopers, Coast Guard, and Civil Air Patrol.  The extreme climate of this area requires extreme training.

http://www.176wg.ang.af.mil/units/176og/212rqs.asp

The domestic, civilian or home missions, how ever one may call it are happening every day.  I could place link upon link, showing story upon story of the hundreds of lives that these men rescue and save every year.  One live saved effects many.  Think of the mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband, children awaiting for their loved one to come home.  They went for a hike, nothing they don't do on a regular basis, but this time they didn't come home.  This time they didn't hear from them, this team, this one time they may never see their loved one again.  The worry, the fear, and then... the overwhelming gratitude that is felt when they receive that call, that notification or overhear it over the radio.  "we have him"  "he has been spotted"  "he is alive" "we are bringing him in"

Thank you for all you do - "that others may live"