One Year and One Outstanding PJ
EPISODE 12
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WELCOME TO ANOTHER UNCOMFORTABLY ENTERTAINING EPISODE OF THE ONES READY PODCAST. LISTEN AS THE PJ CREW TALKS TO “OB” ABOUT HIS LIFE AND EXPERIENCES. GREY CLOUD ACTUAL ON DECK!
Welcome back to the Team Room, here with the OnesReady crew (PJ edition)! On this episode TSgt O’Brien(OB) shares his experiences and advice with the guys. Topics range from President Trump to baby teeth. Buckle up and embrace the chaos!
Brian
What's happening, everybody? Brian Silva for the Ones Ready podcast. Today I'm super pumped. We have a very special guest with us in the team room. He's going to be doing some story time with you guys talking about a huge year that he had and honestly, like you couldn't make this stuff up that happened to him. And I'm really just glad to have him on the show today to share with you guys his experience. So, his name is Tech Sergeant Kenneth O'Brien. He's currently stationed over in Kadena. We're going to get into this whole laundry list of all things that's happened over the past year or a year and 1/2 and just where it led to and kind of things that inspired him and things that helped him through these obstacles that he eventually overcame. So if you don't mind OB, go ahead and introduce yourself and let the people know a little bit about yourself.
OB
Hey guys Kenny, you guys can just call me OB, Pararescueman in Kadena. Been in for a little over 12 years and really excited to talk to you, about some of the opportunities you may have if you decide to go down this route.
OB’S PATH TO PJ
OB discusses how he learned about Pararescue and his background before the military.
Aaron and OB talk about the complexities of the Father/Son dynamic.
The guys talk about PJ’s and Air Force “isms”.
Brief History on PJ’s in television. OB is an OG celebrity.
KOREAN TRACTOR FIRE
OB tells the story of how he ended up in South Korea with a whole pile of SOF dudes and how he saved a drunk Korean from a burning tractor. Read that sentence three times. It’s crazy.
GREY CLOUD ACTUAL
Some guys are chaos magnets. OB talks about his “Grey Cloud” syndrome.
OB ends up being a poster child for international cooperation.
“Black Hawk Down” reference.
North Korea apparently heard OB was in town.
PJ’S AND THE SECRET SERVICE
OB gets tagged to assist the Secret Service for President Trump’s visit to North Korea.
The POTUS tells funny jokes. And he’s tall.
Aaron can’t help but make a joke involving POTUS and a tower.
OB has a front row seat during a historic event, from a van.
SQUADRON AWARD GOES NUCLEAR
After the Secret Service trip OB learns he has won the NCO of the Year award for his Squadron. Not a huge Deal.
Then he wins at the Group level…then AFSOC. Things get serious.
Soon after being told he had won at AFSOC, OB is notified that he is one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year(OAY) for the Air Force. Huge deal.
PJ TRIES TO FLY TO DC IN PEACE
OB has to fly from Okinawa to DC for the 12 OAY presentation. 12 hour flight. What could happen?
Baby almost dies, OB saves the day. Finds out the baby has teeth.
Lactose intolerance will not disqualify you from becoming a PJ.
The legend of OB reaches mythic proportions.
12 OAY AND PARARESCUE: HISTORY
The guys discuss the PJ’s that have been part of the 12 OAY.
OB recognizes his opportunity now that he’s basically a public figure and he has a plan.
PSA: Team guys will treat you the same no matter how many awards you get.
OB’S PLANS FOR 2020
Spread the word about Pararescue and AF Special Warfare.
Inspire young folks.
Visit Big 10 country…Aaron knows what that means.
OB’S KEYS TO SUCCESS
Be willing to experience failure.
Squad goals.
Don’t accept mediocrity.
Family.
PERSONAL GROWTH
The guys talk about how some of their assignments and experiences have helped them grow into the people they are today.
SELECTION / MINDSET
Buddy breathing was tough for OB.
The monotony can feel crushing.
One step at a time. Set micro goals.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT QUOTE:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
BOTTOM LINE: It’s better to try and to fail than to live with the regret of knowing you never tried.
WRAP UP / RECAP
Aaron
No, OB I just want to say thanks for your time, man. I really appreciate you coming on and telling your story and being engaged. I know from personal experience it's not an easy thing to do to put yourself out there. You're not looking for seeking reward or award for the things that you've done, but it does deserve to be said man like you not only had a great year, but from what it sounds like a great career. Um, and I'm looking forward to following your lead for the rest of the time. I want to say thanks for coming on the podcast and sit down and talk with Brian and I. I know it's time out of your day, but it is appreciated. So, man, just for me to you. Thanks. I appreciate you, OB.
OB
I appreciate you guys having me and it's super weird kind of talk about these things, hey, look at me. But that's not really why I do it. It's hey, these are opportunities that you may have, like I have no idea I'd be doing this kind of stuff. And so it's more on just trying to let people know and then also give recognition to the guys that were right next to me.
Brian
Yeah, definitely, you have an amazing year. Amazing stories. And thank you for sharing all this stuff. Like you said before, You know, that's what we don't think any of us think. You're gloating and we really appreciate all the lessons learned that you're passing on to these guys and we'll get into the cave rescue, which is a whole different scenario because I was looking at, was rewatching that documentary a couple nights ago. Just like holy crap. This is some crazy stuff that went through, so I'm really excited to actually get into it and like, listen to how you guys ended up being able to maneuver it. Especially not just the case, but just the amount of people and all that stuff. If you guys haven't looked at it, go check out that documentary. So you're up to speed before we start actually talking about this stuff because that's a good synopsis of the things that were going on. And you can kind of visualize it when we talk about it in the future. But for now is there any way that would you like guys to, like, reach out to us and then weaken send messages to you? I know, like I was saying, guys that wanted to reach out in the DEP or while you're traveling, trying, like, meet up with you and listen to some of the stuff you have to say at those events.
OB
Yeah, I would say, reach out to you, and then you can let me know. That's just me personally, I kind of want to keep my social medias at least semi-private. But I'm totally willing to talk and help guys.
Aaron
Maybe we'll have you on for a takeover where you can take our account over you can. You can do it for a day or something, man. There's a ton of ways to do it.
OB
I mean, that would work. And it's funny, the first person or anything. Someone comes, talk to me and I'm like, Hey, look up, One's Ready and look up. How To Be A PJ. It just kind of goes around because I don't I don't know, the newest and greatest. And so I just send them to you guys.
Brian
Well, I appreciate that and we have tons more guests lined up and you on again as many as much as you want. Like I said, people that are like minded. I just want to help out the future of the career field. That's what we're all about right here. So, I really appreciate you coming on sharing those stories. Um, and really put yourself out there just to help out those guys that air entering. Hopefully you guys took at least 10 or 20 things away from this episode. He's got a lot of good information to say, really take to heart all things that he was talking about, because we're doing this again just to help you guys out so picture this stuff in your mind, you know, as you're going through your day. These events that happened are just part of the life. And there's nothing that you could have done really to plant for. Except, you know, the training that he's done on his own. Just preparing over the past dozen years that he's been a PJ. And you know, you take what you get that sometimes it's slow, Sometimes it gets real hot. And you do what? The cards you're dealt. So yeah, definitely. Thank you for coming on. And again, you guys reach out to us, we'll reach out to him. If you guys have any questions for him and we look forward to having you on that Thai cave rescue episode, I'm excited to hear about it. So again, thanks to you and Aaron for coming out here spending time we'll see you all next time, make sure you go out there and earn each breath.
Aaron
Train hard everybody.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OB FOR MAKING THIS EPISODE POSSIBLE.
GUEST BIO:
Technical Sergeant Kenneth T. O’Brien serves as a Special Tactics Team Leader for the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, 353d Special Operations Group, Air Force Special Operations Command, Kadena Air Base, Japan. He serves as the Personnel Recovery expert on a globally deployable Special Tactics Team prepared to execute Personnel Recovery, Global Access, and Precision Strike missions. TSgt O’Brien enlisted in the Air Force in July 2007 and entered the Pararescue (PJ) training pipeline immediately upon enlistment. After completion of a 2.5-year training pipeline, he was stationed at the 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. While at the 38th Rescue Squadron, TSgt O’Brien deployed three times in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and once in support of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Upon returning from his fourth deployment, he was selected to be a founding member of the Guardian Angel Formal Training Unit, the 68th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. He spent three years at the 68th Rescue Squadron creating unit programs, developing curriculum, and instructing the Air Force’s first Combat Leadership Course and Military Freefall Jumpmaster course. Prior to assuming his current position, he was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Guardian Angel Military Freefall Course for the 68th Rescue Squadron.
TLDR: OB’s path was littered with obstacles and pitfalls. He overcame all of them and was ready to perform when called upon. Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid of regret. Be like OB.
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