Unconventional Surgery, USAF SOST

This week in The Team Room, we sit down with Rae and Sully, 2 of the Air Force's most highly trained, capable and experienced medical professionals! We talk about their experience as part of the Air Force's highly specialized and trained Special Operations Surgical Team- or SOST, for short- during combat, assessment and selection, what career path to take- and of course, questions directly from YOU!
So if you're a self-proclaimed medical super geek (like Brian) or just a knuckle-dragging pipe hitter that wants to know more about Air Force Special Operations and the teams you will be working with (like Peach and Trent), this one is DEFINITELY for you!!!
So turn the lights down low, the volume all the way the fr*ck up, and let's #EarnEachBreath with Sully and Rae here in the team room!!!
00:03:25 Rae Finds Her Way
00:04:42 Sully Finds His Way
00:06:12 Where Does SOST Operate?
00:11:49 Going Into SOST
00:15:39 SOST Selection
00:27:37 Q&A
00:58:35 Recap
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SOST Recruitment Link - www.airforcesp...
Clinical Practice Guidelines- jts.amedd.army...
Video/Audio editing courtesy of [e-mail]
As always, THANK YOU for your support, we truly appreciate it.
The views and opinions expressed by the OnesReady team are those of the team and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the DoD. Any content provided by our Podcast guests, bloggers, sponsors, or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign the DoD, any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

[@IceyKweisi6]

I’m graduating from nursing school in May. I literally just tried to do some research about SOST but could barely find anything. Y’all put this together at the right time. Thanks a lot!

[@tenhauser]

I hope you get after it!

[@peytonthedude745]

@Marcelis Maccow I've been trying to find out how to become a critical care nurse so I can join the air force as one, do you know where I should start? and what are some good NLN approved schools?

[@SunGraal]

Aaron - “Rae I made you this Trap music mix I hope you like it” Rae - “ awww thanks” Peaches - frantically searches for “Trap music” on iPhone

[@OnesReady]

This, by far, is the funniest comment on any of our videos, ever. Holy crap that’s awesome. And completely true.

[@IvanOfficial01]

Really enjoyed this episode, might need a 2 or 3 parter for SOST,sounds like there is still a lot more to know.

[@OnesReady]

Thanks! I have no doubts they'll be on again. You're right through, there are many aspects to SOST.

[@keatonward6403]

30 minutes. Wow. Considering it takes about 5 minutes to get someone on a sled/gurney and all their stuff (i.e, NVGs, weapons, sensitive equipment) all accounted for... then you gotta beat feet to a shed somewhere and get that person on a table and under anesthesia..... then do surgery in said shack.... you gotta be absolutely booking it. 🙌 MAD respect. Holy crap.

[@kooper507]

I'm a 17 years old teenager who just started the first year of medical school. I've been wanting to join the SOST since I was 14. I do not have an American citizenship but I really hope things work out for me so I can be a part of the SOST. Thanks for an amazing video!

[@OnesReady]

Good luck! - A

[@jaredsilverman1027]

Excellent episode as always. I don't know why, but I cracked up when the screen randomly switched from Rae talking about working with the team to Peaches at 55:19 haha

[@noahbyers8803]

Jared Silverman Lol. He’s still trying to catch up from raboa

[@OnesReady]

Haha, you're not wrong! 🍑

[@davidlepin9799]

Thank you guys for this, well really all of your podcasts. Im prior-enlisted AF. in grad school right now for anesthesia, hoping to come back and get on SOST. Looking forward to another SOST video!

[@robertgroff8115]

Just a 1st year medical student, but I have wanted to do this ever since talking to an HPSP recruiter. I only wish they were able to go more in detail about the assessment and selection process, otherwise, very awesome video!

[@LAC95]

I’m just finishing my respiratory therapy program. I wanna learn how to go about enlisting as a registered RT and joining SOST

[@Chenny-mw9gl]

This is late but: how do SOST members balance military life with family life? Are most members male? (Is it extremely difficult to get in as a female?) Do you constantly live with your team? How old are most of the members (after medical education and experience is it close to 30 or 40)?

[@chelsea5763]

Great episode. That’s one of my docs!!

[@Sevodoc]

Interesting to compare SOST to a JSOC Joint Medical Augmentation Unit (JMAU) Damage Control Surgical Team (DCST).

[@HariboStarman]

Where was that mentioned in the vid?

[@derek8149]

Great vid! Not much is out there detailing SOST, so thank you guys for this. You guys mentioned a lot of the aspects of the selection pipeline like mental, physical, and medical qualifications, but I was hoping to get some info on specifically the physical aspect. Is the one week selection for SOST similar to the Air Force Special Operations Assessment & Selection course for PJs, CCTs, SR with open water swims, water confidence, extended training days, etc? You guys mentioned rucking and carrying heavy objects, but I'm mostly concerned about water stuff! Thanks again for the vid!

[@billybob6604]

yup

[@karenrhoads1598]

Great episode ..nice to see the real friendship amongst you & ease in discussing being basically real 1st responders...I'd like a follow up to this if it hasn't already been done

[@coraliscopuselaborat]

Hey One’s Ready, love the videos. Can I make a video request? STO, CRO, TACPO. Maybe have all three to talk about their individual paths, career growth, etc. THANKS!

[@OnesReady]

We are on it!!

[@crawdaddy019]

LOADED video, thanks everyone! Really important to understand the standards. Anyway Rae or Sully can be reached?

[@briannahelman3362]

For selection would they rather have an ICU nurse or an ED nurse?

[@InvisibleHotdog]

Really appreciate you guys putting this together

[@jerrywebb1903]

I’m not sure if I missed it or if they didn’t go over specifics as far as physical demands and standards for the physical aspect of the job. Such things like pushups, pull-ups, distance and time rucks. I know they touched on it is physically demanding but didn’t hear actual requirements or standards. Thanks!

[@kelvinnguyen6048]

Hell yeah. More women in Spec Ops Please!

[@andyd9199]

loved it , great format guys!!

[@OnesReady]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danmac4969]

anybody know anything about AFSOC's SOFME (special operations medical element) and how to become a member?

[@tenhauser]

Age limit for SOST?

[@paulhetherington3854]

I parachuted, with a dummy-- injured swimmer-- static lined! Damn scary, as hell. With combat gear-- water ops. Air Force vids-- use TV tubes man-- and radio tubes, he isn't one of.

[@JD-dm1uj]

Wow, just discovered this channel, fantastic content!

[@101scorpions]

I love this new team. My apologies on the late message. Is there a maximum age requirement? Are male nurse practitioner part of this team?

[@OnesReady]

So it doesn’t matter what gender you are- just what skillset.

[@grantjones199]

Great video. Great information. Thank you

[@johng6207]

Really needed this. Thanks Ones Ready

[@Aleemji]

SOST is doing amazing work! I am physician, trying to find residency in USAF. currently in DEP. Would u like to guide me how can i join ur team even during my residency training?

[@necromanteerrante8095]

SOST is deployed for several months or for a specific mission???

[@tenhauser]

Months at a time, based on what I've heard. Sometimes more than they're not.

[@welovekate7513]

I noticed on the SOST application that it states there is an IMA/ Reserve option but there is 0 information on it. Can anyone confirm that this is an option?

[@mike30680]

I’m in that hunt also

[@nicolewade4253]

Also looking for this. I’m going to submit whatever application is up for July 2024 to shoot my shot and figure it out from there. I saw on the website now it says they aren’t taking IRR or civilians right now, so I’m assuming that leaves the rest of the options the ability to apply?

[@brandondoesit69]

Cross training into 4h0x1 with hopes of eventually becoming a part of SOST

[@kenshindoman9757]

Would a combat medic, 18D, or PJ be eligible to join SOST? And what is the maximum age for joining if you were one of those?

[@OnesReady]

Check our other videos, only the afscs listed can join SOST, none that you listed are eligible without cross training first.

[@carp6166]

Just curious, are PA's allowed to try out to be part of the SOST's as one of the team members, such as the critical care component for example?

[@OnesReady]

It’s answered in the video, but yes.

[@ledontraegooden8276]

@@OnesReady When reaching out to the POC to put in a packet as a PA, I was told there are no PA slots. Kind of conflicting information. Would you be able to find out some more information in regards to a PA applying.

[@ryanarboleda9646]

Do you guys have anymore videos that talk about SOST? Also, are there other Surgical Teams similar to SOST in other branches of the military?

[@OnesReady]

This is the only one we have done. It was a popular episode though so we may try to get some other aspects of SOST on in the future. The Army also has a medical capability similar to SOST, but not the same.

[@nicolewade4253]

I’m currently a critical care nurse (BSN) in Paramedic school coming up on my Army NG ETS date looking to drop an application for this. I can’t find much info on it, other than this podcast, a few videos, and what’s on the AF website so I’m just going to roll with it and see where it takes me lol. If not this I’ll try to get on CCATT or other way around. Fingers crossed, because I don’t feel like I’m doing much as a 68W right now (because of what I do civilian side) and I feel like my skills could be utilized better 🥲

[@njp101]

Is it hard to get in on a position with SOST as an ER physician after residency?

[@emullen93]

So if you transfer over from the reserves or even a sister branch for a one or two year cycle on the team, are you then a permanent AF member or would you transition back to your original branch after you’ve completed your SOST cycle?

[@jonathonmoores9137]

Can Air Force sost members attend linguistics school for a specific language that the military chooses

[@OnesReady]

No, not at this time. Language training is not a part of the AFSPECWAR career fields we talk about most. - A

[@jonathonmoores9137]

@@OnesReady okay thanks Aaron

[@jaimimelville5759]

Any idea if they utilize PAs on this team?

[@deiongoldsmith515]

Is there a navy equivalent to SOST? otherwise i might be eying the air force after my first contract is up

[@HariboStarman]

I think it’s called an EMU

[@loaybaker3796]

Hello, how are you from Syria?

[@Psychedelic_Cowboy]

Wish they had a reserve component

[@OnesReady]

Very specialized teams usually don’t- consider active. It’s worth it.

[@derrickwilliams1902]

Like an Army Forward Surgical Team, FST.

[@shabushabu1453]

It's an FST, trained in special operations, and a smaller team.

[@HariboStarman]

@@shabushabu1453FRSDs are also with special operations

[@skeletonkingriverine]

Where can SOST be stationed at?

[@adamshaaeli4979]

I talked to a SOST guy at an airshow. He told me they have teams at Las Vegas and another station on the east coast in AL.

[@skeletonkingriverine]

@@adamshaaeli4979 ok sweet, Thanks for the info man!

[@eldoug1589]

I think I read once that the air force tries to station them at Level I trauma centers around the country to keep up to date on all their trauma training. Nellis (Las Vegas) and UAB (AL) get mentioned often but so do MD Shock Trauma, St. Louis, and Miami.

[@skeletonkingriverine]

@@eldoug1589 right on, I read somewhere that they had sponsored hospitals but also read they do any level 1 sites so wasn't sure

[@MotomanH]

@onesready can you go from pj to sost

[@Bismillah416]

from this point of view, unconventional is conventional

[@jeremiebrashear8388]

Do air force IDMT qualify to be on these teams

[@nurusaki]

No, there were talks of changing the RTs to IDMTs but who knows how far that has come. Closest thing is a SOFME/ SOIDMT

[@jackjack4412]

Huge fan of the podcast and all the info you guys put out, but the constant jokes from Aaron are detracting to say the least. Sorry man but please tone it down.

[@OnesReady]

Don’t be sorry- feedback is feedback. Authenticity is important; and Aaron makes jokes. He’s more of an acquired taste- we get it 😂

[@carycoller3140]

How does SOST differ from Para Rescue?

[@Lebronwski]

SOSTs are doctors and usually do surgeries on base. Para rescue doesn’t do surgery they just jump in with guns in the middle of nights save people behind enemy lines. Para rescue requires you to be very athletic while SOSTs not too much.

[@carycoller3140]

@@Lebronwski Which Tier are they in?

[@Lebronwski]

@@carycoller3140 I’m not sure actually. I’d assume they are Tier 2 but I can’t confirm it

[@The-Tech-Man]

@@Lebronwski SOST doesn't always do surgeries on base. That's the thing about it... They go off base closer to objective to do surgeries (and it's more than a doc)

[@chaitalichatterjee4742]

@@Lebronwski sost not too much LoL They jump with stethoscope Dive deep seas Perform surgeries ... With guns and are escape specialist With combat training

[@christosantonopoulos2018]

How about USA can take its cognitive radio to make the human specie an automated robotic programmed machine being operated by a central community cognitive radio operating on 2.4Ghz or the 5G Network via every human being adopting a Model Human Processor (MHP) that damn has a model cognitive cyclic thinking pattern that based on what it is computing will be adjusted by the cognitive radio, your emotions are also programmed Into the MHP as well, so basically your entire existence and cognitive awareness is preprogrammed like WTF, that is a cognitive prison to begin with, self-determination is gone, and you as a human being basically have no choice it is being made for you by a computer mathematical matrix programming network. whom ever has come up with this and designed this needs a bullet in the head.

[@OnesReady]

*crosses fingers* please be a bot please be a bot please be a bot. -A

[@alfe1402]

So, if let's say, Rangers or SEALs go there to fight, SOST would be near by just in case???

[@commandophoenix605]

In some case yes

[@HariboStarman]

It’s more complicated than that