I'm 20 and I'm thinking of joining pararescue in a year or two. I just wanted to know what the experience is like and how the training is. Can anyone give me any feedback?

I am not a PJ but I have worked with some and am also trying to be one.

The training is very hard both mentally and physically. They will push you to your percieved limits and then expect you to go beyond them.

How much do you know now?

The training starts after bsic you go to Indoc, which is the initial 10week gut check. From people I have talked to who dropped out, you basically PT from about 0600 to 1700 Monday to Friday or longer. Swimming is what gets most people, both the timed swims and the water confidence. They are going to start small but will eventually move to putting their foot on your chest, grabbing the snorkel you are trying to breath out of and pushing off and you are expected to not let go.

You need to be able to swim for at least an hour and keep a good pace. I was told to aim for 60 laps (50 Meter laps) in 60 minutes.

After the 10 weeks you will go through a series of schools. Jump school, dive school, survival school etc. The last two classes being medical schools. At any point during those schools you can be kicked out for failing to meet the standards.

You will also be gone A LOT! I know some who are gone over 250 days out of the year. If you have family or kids than its something to think about. I am not being dramatic here but from talking to PJ's, it has and often does ruin marriges.

Trying reading some of the following books:
No Room for Error by John T Carney
or
None Braver by Michael Hirsh

Good luck!