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Combat Rescue Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

Combat ships with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, anti ... rescue capabilities through fleet support ships. * Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and ...

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Combat Rescue Officer information

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$8

$26

$63

How much do combat rescue officer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for combat rescue officer in the United States is $26.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $31.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Combat Rescue Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Combat Rescue Officer, you need exceptional leadership, physical fitness, and a background in military operations, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree and completion of rigorous Air Force training programs. Familiarity with advanced navigation systems, survival equipment, and specialized rescue tools is essential, along with certifications such as SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape). Outstanding decision-making, resilience, and teamwork skills set top performers apart in high-stress situations. These abilities are crucial for ensuring mission success, safeguarding lives, and leading rescue teams effectively in dangerous environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Combat Rescue Officers in coordinating personnel recovery missions?

Combat Rescue Officers often face challenges such as rapidly changing mission parameters, complex communication across multiple units, and the need to make high-stakes decisions under pressure. They must quickly assess risks, adapt plans in dynamic environments, and ensure the safety of both rescue teams and isolated personnel. Coordination with aircrews, medical teams, and ground forces is crucial, requiring strong leadership and problem-solving skills to achieve mission success.

What is a Combat Rescue Officer?

A Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) is a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force who leads and manages personnel recovery operations, including combat search and rescue missions. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing missions to locate, recover, and provide medical care to isolated personnel in hostile or challenging environments. CROs work alongside Pararescuemen (PJs) and other specialists, often deploying in high-risk situations to ensure the safe return of military personnel. Their training covers leadership, survival, navigation, and advanced rescue techniques, making them critical to the Air Force's personnel recovery capabilities.

What is the difference between Combat Rescue Officer vs Pararescue Jumper?

AspectCombat Rescue OfficerPararescue Jumper
Required CertificationsMilitary rescue training, CPR, first aidSpecialized pararescue training, EMT, combat rescue certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary rescue missions, combat zones, air force basesCombat zones, rescue operations, military and civilian settings
Employer & IndustryU.S. Air Force, military rescue unitsU.S. Air Force, special operations, rescue units

Both Combat Rescue Officers and Pararescue Jumpers serve in the U.S. Air Force and participate in rescue missions, often in combat zones. While they share similar certifications and work environments, Pararescue Jumpers undergo more specialized rescue training and EMT certification, focusing heavily on medical rescue skills. Combat Rescue Officers typically oversee rescue operations and coordinate missions. Understanding these differences helps clarify their distinct roles within military rescue teams.

Infographic showing various Combat Rescue Officer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $56,017 per year, or $26.9 per hour.
Surface Warfare Officer (SWO

Surface Warfare Officer (SWO

U.S. Navy

Pembroke Pines, FL

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 369 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

About

If you’re a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), you have what it takes to lead by example. Maintain and operate the most advanced fleet of ships in the world—along with the crews that support them. Your team of Sailors will look to you for guidance, so you’ll need to become an expert on everything from engineering to combat systems to
navigation. Communicate your mission and goals with your crew to ensure everything is smooth sailing. If you see yourself commanding a Naval ship as a Captain one day, this is the role that
will get you there.

Responsibilities

Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs) are involved in virtually every aspect of Navy missions. As a SWO, you may be in charge of any number of shipboard operations and activities
while at sea, working with or within any of these specialized forces:

● Aircraft Carrier Forces: Provide and coordinate air, submarine and surface ship defense for aircraft carriers.
● Cruiser-Destroyer Forces: Provide ship attack and defensive measures with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities, providing anti-air, -submarine
and -surface warfare support.
● Amphibious Forces: Embark and transport vehicles, equipment and personnel for amphibious assault operations.
● Combat-Logistics Forces: Provide combatant ships with fuel, ammunition, food and supplies, and provide repair, maintenance and rescue capabilities through Fleet Support Ships.
● Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and neutralize threats from hostile use of maritime mines.

You may also be interested in becoming a Surface Warfare Officer within the prestigious Navy Nuclear community where you will have the opportunity to work on some of the
world’s most powerful nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.

Work Environment

As a Surface Warfare Officer, you will work at sea and on shore, in a variety of environments. Sea duty could place you aboard ships within the fleet. Shore duty may involve a tour of duty at the Pentagon, a student assignment at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, or command and management positions at shore bases and stations around the world.

A degree from a four-year college or university is a minimum educational requirement to become a Commissioned Officer.

● There are different ways to become a SWO. If you're a high school student or an undergraduate, you can enter through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
(NROTC) or through the U.S. Naval Academy. Those already having a degree attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 12-week Navy school in Newport, RI.
● All candidates must also be U.S. Citizens.
● General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.

Part-Time Opportunities

There are part-time opportunities available as a Surface Warfare Officer.


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About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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