Pararescue Hat Jolly Green Feet

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PARARESCUE HAT

U.S. Air Force Pararescue specialists (PJs) are trained for personnel recovery, including the location, rescue, and medical treatment of isolated or injured personnel in high-risk environments. PJs combine battlefield trauma care with the ability to conduct extraction and recovery operations across land and water, often in austere terrain, severe weather, or combat conditions. Their motto, “That Others May Live,” reflects the career field’s focus on life-saving mission execution.

A long-standing symbol tied to Air Force rescue culture is the pair of green footprints, commonly known as “Jolly Green Feet.” The symbol traces back to the Vietnam-era rescue community and the “Jolly Green Giant” nickname associated with Air Force rescue helicopters, especially the HH-3E. Over time, the “green feet” became a recognizable mark of the rescue mission—representing the promise that when service members are down, dedicated recovery forces will respond.

Core Mission and Training

• Primary Function: PJs are the only Department of Defense force specifically organized and trained to conduct full-spectrum personnel recovery in hostile or denied areas.
• Capabilities: Their training pipeline, which can last up to 24 months, qualifies them as both elite warriors and National Registry Paramedics. They are proficient in combat diving, high-altitude parachuting (HALO/HAHO), and technical rescue in environments ranging from arctic to jungle terrain.
• The Motto: The phrase "That Others May Live" (often preceded by "These Things We Do...") is the official motto. It originated from the "Code of the Air Rescueman," penned by the first commander of the Air Rescue Service, Richard Kight. 

Symbolism of the "Jolly Green Feet"

• Vietnam Origins: The symbol traces back to the Sikorsky HH-3E helicopter, nicknamed the "Jolly Green Giant" due to its large size and olive-drab paint.
• Evolution of the Tradition:
  • Tattoos: A long-standing tradition involves PJs (and sometimes other rescue personnel) getting a pair of green footprints tattooed on their ass, a practice popularized in 1971 by legendary PJ Wayne Fisk.
  • Modern Legacy: The symbol is ubiquitous in the rescue community today, appearing on aircraft, unit stickers, and patches. In 2020, the Air Force honored this heritage by naming its newest rescue helicopter, the HH-60W, the "Jolly Green II".