Operator Selection 24-04 Candidate Round Table

Phase III, Operator Selection: Daily Recordings from 3 x Candidates

It seems much of the angst of those considering applying for our operator selection is centered around Phase III. This is our "field" portion of selection and is a substantial event, even for the most fit and prepared operators. But it shouldn't be feared. It should be highly sought after by anyone in the position to come throw their hat in the arena.

In this episode, I compiled the Phase III daily recordings from three high-performing candidates during selection 25-02, so you can get a realistic feel of both the difficulty and value of how we run this phase of selection. It's not about getting beat down for the sake of it. It's about facing unique challenges and learning how to grow into a more competent and capable operator regardless if you are hired or not.

C01 = Officer

C15 = CCT

C17 = TACP

This assignment should be on every AFSPECWAR operator's goal sheet. That doesn't mean we will be a good fit for you, or you a good fit for us, but you will never know until you apply. Quit listening to all the people who have never been here. Come see for yourself.

Visit our website at https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/724STG/

Our website has the information you need to be prepared when you come to your job interview at our organization. Take the time to read the information, listen to our podcasts, and prime yourself as much as possible so we get the best look at you when you're here, and you can see if we are a good fit for you as well.

Here is the link to an amazing mental prep document created by our mental performance coach:

https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/724%20Items/COGNITIVE%20PERFORMANCE%20LEVEL%201%20TRAINING%20MANUAL%20V8.pdf?ver=qk3UZIukvUvF7JS0iRFzqA%3d%3d

Note: The thoughts and discussions in these interviews do not represent the official thoughts of the organization. These interviews are meant to inform you on the opportunities that exist here and how to be better prepared when it's your time to perform.

PJ Team Leader "TEK" Interview

We are provided an opportunity to brief every graduating class of PJs and CROs before they exit the pipeline. Although we usually take a few PJs with us out to Kirtland AFB to help brief, none could break away from training and real-world commitments to travel. So, we got creative and used our virtual resources to pipe TEK into the audience. This podcast is a recording of the brief we gave to the candidates. It's obviously a cut-down version as we had to edit out most of the "good" parts that can't be shared over open media. But TEK still delivered some amazing content about his experiences and what life is like at the unit for a PJ.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This assignment should be on every AFSPECWAR operator's goal sheet. That doesn't mean we will be a good fit for you, or you a good fit for us, but you will never know until you apply. Quit listening to all the people who have never been here. Come see for yourself.

Visit our website at https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/724STG/

Our website has the information you need to be prepared when you come to your job interview at our organization. Take the time to read the information, listen to our podcasts, and prime yourself as much as possible so we get the best look at you when you're here, and you can see if we are a good fit for you as well.

Here is the link to an amazing mental prep document created by our mental performance coach: https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/724%20Items/COGNITIVE%20PERFORMANCE%20LEVEL%201%20TRAINING%20MANUAL%20V8.pdf?ver=qk3UZIukvUvF7JS0iRFzqA%3d%3d

Note: The thoughts and discussions in these interviews do not represent the official thoughts of the organization. These interviews are meant to inform you about the opportunities that exist here and how to be better prepared when it's your time to perform.

5 Biggest Takeaways from the Operator Candidates

Welcome to the Insight Thru Experience Podcast. In this episode, we pulled some of the most pertinent feedback items we pulled from the Days 1-5 selection videos we posted earlier.

The intent behind this episode is to give the audience the five biggest takeaways that we garnered from the candidates to help increase the performance of not only future candidates here, but also across the military and civilian sectors as well.

Takeaways:

1. During problem-solving, leaders need to establish a proper planning structure, set clear intent, and get out of the way.

2. Sleep deprivation will be a huge obstacle during the process.

3. Use the Cognitive Performance Manual on our website to increase your cognitive capacity before you get here. (Link to manual below)

4. Build a strong "why" statement before you get here.

5. Get better at solving novel problems.

Runner UpTopics:

6. Footwear choices.

7. Physical prep advice.

For more info on our unit... Visit our website at https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/724STG/

Our website has the information you need to be prepared when you come to your job interview at our organization. Take the time to read the information, listen to our podcasts, and prime yourself as much as possible so we get the best look at you when you're here, and you can see if we are a good fit for you as well.

Here is the link to an amazing mental prep document created by our mental performance coach: https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/724%20Items/COGNITIVE%20PERFORMANCE%20LEVEL%201%20TRAINING%20MANUAL%20V8.pdf?ver=qk3UZIukvUvF7JS0iRFzqA%3d%3d

Day 5 of Operator Selection: The Candidate's Perspective

Welcome to the Insight Thru Experience Podcast. This is the fifth and last episode where we hear from operator candidates as they proceed through our operator assessment and selection.

Day five finds the candidates back at the hotel after completing Phase III--the field phase. In this episode, the candidates discuss their final few events and how they performed. Many lessons are being delivered in their thoughts, and this should serve as a training guide for those coming behind them. Their insights from day five provide a great look inside the selection process for one of the nation's most elite units.

You will hear terms like "good side of the road", "under the streetlight", and "redline" in their comments. These are all terms and concepts that we use during the process to serve as guideposts for the candidates during selection.

Intent

I chose nine candidates at random to answer six questions each night before they went to bed down. The intent behind doing this was to give the listener a feel for what it's like to move through Phase II of our selection process and how to prepare effectively before you show up.

For more info on our unit... Visit our website at https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/724STG/

Our website has the information you need to be prepared when you come to your job interview at our organization. Take the time to read the information, listen to our podcasts, and prime yourself as much as possible so we get the best look at you when you're here, and you can see if we are a good fit for you as well.

Here is the link to an amazing mental prep document created by our mental performance coach: https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/724%20Items/COGNITIVE%20PERFORMANCE%20LEVEL%201%20TRAINING%20MANUAL%20V8.pdf?ver=qk3UZIukvUvF7JS0iRFzqA%3d%3d

Day 4 of Operator Selection: The Candidate's Perspective

Welcome to the Insight Thru Experience Podcast. This is the fourth of five episodes where we hear from operator candidates as they proceed through our operator assessment and selection.

Please visit our YouTube channel and go to the comments section of this video to give these guys some appreciation for recording them. They sacrificed some sleep and mental bandwidth to record these for you.

https://youtu.be/Xt_BOx8L0qM?si=KTu1yde73TKLRS9p

Day four brings forth a host of insightful information coming from these nine guys as they were in the middle of Phase III (field phase). One of the main themes they discuss is how sleep deprivation is the largest variable affecting their ability to perform at peak levels. They also discuss how they are realizing that real problem-solving is often much different than what they are used to back in their normal worlds at their current units. Their insights from day four provide a great look inside the selection process for one of the nation's most elite units.

I chose nine candidates at random to answer six questions each night before they went to bed down. The intent was to give the listener a feel for what it's like to move through Phase II of our selection process and how to prepare effectively before you show up.

For more info on our unit... Visit our website at https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/724STG/

Our website has the information you need to be prepared when you come to your job interview at our organization. Take the time to read the information, listen to our podcasts, and prime yourself as much as possible so we get the best look at you when you're here, and you can see if we are a good fit for you as well.

Here is the link to an amazing mental prep document created by our mental performance coach: https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/724%20Items/COGNITIVE%20PERFORMANCE%20LEVEL%201%20TRAINING%20MANUAL%20V8.pdf?ver=qk3UZIukvUvF7JS0iRFzqA%3d%3d