SOF Pic of the Day: Green Feet-US Air Force Pararescue Jumpers At Work

PJs

Here we see a pair of US Air Force Pararescue Jumpers (PJs) tending to an injured fellow servicemember.

PJs are members of Air Force Special Warfare. Their mission is to medically treat downed warfighters wherever they may be. They do it all, parachute, dive, climb mountains…in short, they can function, and function well, in any environment.

Click here for Pararescue: A Day in the Life, written by Brandon Webb.

If you really want to take a deep dive (no pun intended), click here for the official Air Force PJ page.  On the site, you can download a 21-day fitness program designed to get you ready to try out to see if you qualify for PJ training.

Green Feet

The term “Green Feet” is a nickname affectionately used by the PJs to describe themselves.  There are more than a couple of origin stories about where this odd name came from.

One popular version states that it started during the Vietnam War. Supposedly, the PJs would take their boots off in the helicopters to dry their feet after getting wet during rescue missions. The green light from the helicopter’s instrument panel would reflect on their wet feet, giving them a green appearance, thus leading to the “Green Feet” nickname.

** In the video below, Air Force CMSgt. Wayne Fisk recounts the story of the green feet tattoo. Oh, did I forget to mention that some PJs get them tattooed on their butts? They do. I thought I’d spare you pics of that.