SFS holds Special Reaction Team tryouts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sandra Marrero
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Airmen kicked in doors and cleared buildings, all while making potentially life-saving decisions during tryouts for the base Special Reaction Team held here, Sept. 6.

The team's responsibilities include intervening in hostage situations, providing security for distinguished visitors, and high-risk arrests.

Less than half of the seven Airmen who tried out made the cut after being tested mentally and physically throughout the 12-hour selection process.

"It's not for everybody, so that's why we do the selection process," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dale Brown, 23d SFS NCO in charge of training. "We want to make sure we put our best foot forward."

Staff Sgt. Marc Robinson, 23d SFS unit trainer, said being selected for the SRT was a humbling experience.

"There is a pride knowing that our leadership has designated us ... but it's more humbling than anything," said Robinson. "I think that whenever the wing commander calls on us to do this job ... we can execute professionally, tactically and safely."

The tryouts are part of an effort to bring back Moody's SRT, whose numbers dwindled due to an increase in deployments. However, the base will maintain its memorandum of understanding with the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, which provides SWAT team support for the base.

Although the SRT counts on the support of the sheriff's office, the Airmen needed to prove they could handle situations on their own.

One of the most important parts of the tryouts was a hypothetical scenario in which SRT hopefuls had to devise a plan to diffuse a situation and prepare a brief for the wing commander, who in real-life situations has the final say regarding SRT interventions.

"There's a lot riding on the wing commander at that point so we want to give him the best product possible when we're briefing him," said Brown.

The Airmen's ability to make shoot-don't-shoot decisions was tested at the military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) village. The objective was to use the minimal amount of force necessary to take care of situations.

"They have a split second when they walk into a room to make a decision to either fire a round, or use verbal commands, or use a less-than-lethal weapon to diffuse the situation in the room," said Brown.

Yet for Robinson, thinking on his toes was not the biggest challenge. He said the hour-long ruck march from the SFS to the Combat Arms Maintenance and Training building was the most trying part of the day.

"There was no shade on the walk," said Robinson. "It was just the sun beating down own you for about four miles. It felt like the sun was burning me to my bones."

They wore full gear while carrying breaching equipment, food, and their weapon on the trek. Robinson said he got through because he wanted to be an example to the Airmen trying out with him.

At the CATM building, the SRT hopefuls completed the marksmanship portion of the tryouts. To qualify, the Airmen were required to score 80 out of 100 possible points and were assessed using the state of Georgia's SWAT team guidelines. Airmen could earn a maximum of two points for every round fired, but lost three points for missing their target.

The Airmen also participated in an oral interview board to demonstrate their public speaking abilities and attention to detail by answering questions about the enlisted force structure. Additionally, they proved their knowledge of SRT operations as part of the oral board.

Overall, Brown said he wanted sharp, well-rounded Airmen who could shoot well and prove their physical abilities to join the SRT.