Ep 465: The PJ Rodeo, Hurricane Katrina...and INDOC with Pararescueman Ivan Ruiz
Ep 465: The PJ Rodeo, Hurricane Katrina...and INDOC with Pararescueman Ivan Ruiz  
Podcast: Ones Ready
Published On: Mon Apr 28 2025
Description: Send us Fan MailStrap in, team—we're back in the team room with retired Chief Ivan Ruiz, legendary PJ, Katrina rescuer, INDOC instructor, and all-around certified badass. We’re talking about the upcoming PJ Rodeo, but let’s be honest, this episode quickly turns into a firestorm of nostalgia, brutal honesty, and unapologetic takes on what’s going right—and VERY wrong—with Air Force Special Warfare.From the high-angle ropes event at South Point Casino to shooting comps, Monster Mash med drills, and jump events open to the public, this year’s rodeo isn’t just a reunion—it’s a mission. We highlight why the Association and Foundation still matter, why the new pipeline model might be wrecking community culture, and why having your mom at your recruiter meeting might be the red flag of the century.We also get real about silent professionals, the identity crisis in AFSPECWAR, and the gut punch of watching “toughness” get traded for lab coats and PowerPoints.🔥 Key Takeaways:- PJ Rodeo 2025 is live in Vegas, June 16–21—public welcome. Bring your boots.- Open call: small businesses, sponsors, and silent pros—support your own or stop complaining.- The old INDOC course? Brutal. Legendary. Respected. Still undefeated in shaping warriors.- Rocks in pools, buddy drags, and mask/snout punishment weren’t hazing.- PJs aren’t granola-eating hippies. Except maybe a few.- Hurricane Katrina rescues = 240+ hoists. Real ops vs  Instagram ops.- Want to be a PJ? Don’t chase the unicorn. Show up, shut up, perform.- If your parents are talking to your recruiter... you’re not ready.⏱️ Timestamps:- 00:00 – Hardy Studios plug, gear discounts, intro to Ivan Ruiz  - 03:30 – What the PJ Rodeo actually is (and why it’s badass)  - 05:00 – Events rundown: jumps, shooting, ropes, Monster Mash  - 07:40 – Public welcome + building community culture  - 09:10 – Sponsorships, vendors, and how to support  - 11:30 – Association vs Foundation: who saves who  - 13:20 – Real-world impact: brain bleeds, hurricanes, grant checks  - 17:15 – Katrina rescues: 240 hoists, young guys in the fight  - 20:30 – Retirement thoughts: missing the X, not the queep  - 25:45 – Operators worrying about action—stop  - 28:30 – Domestic ops vs waiting for war  - 32:15 – INDOC vs Pipeline: the gloves come off  - 36:10 – Identity loss, budget bloat, and BS metrics  - 42:00 – “INDOC bred” vs modern selection drama  - 47:10 – Recruiter lies vs. your immature brain  - 50:10 – Parents at the recruiter’s office? GTFO  - 53:00 – Final advice: don’t chase unicorns, never quit📢 Call-to-Actions:🧨 Like this episode if you’ve ever bled on a Monster Mash.💬 Comment your best (or worst) INDOC memory—or what you think about the “new school” pipeline.🔔 Subscribe and ring the bell—unlike AFPC, we won’t ghost you.🛒 Cop some Ones Ready gear and stop looking like a basic bro at the pool.🎖️ Support your community foundations: PJ, CCT, SR, TACP. They need you more than ever.💰 Interested in sponsoring the Rodeo or just donating like a real one? Go to PJRodeo.com.Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9aFBBZoBcQk8UUN_pO7nDA/joinCollabs:Ones Ready Merch:  onesready.com18A Fitness - Code:  1Ready (18afitness.com)ATAC Fitness - Follow the URL:  https://shorturl.at/D8tNMCardoMax - Code:  ONESREADY (cardomax.com)Danger Close Apparel - Code:  ONESREADY (dangercloseapparel.com)DFND Apparel - Code:  ONESREADY (DFNDUSA.com)Hoist - Code:  ONESREADY (drinkhoist.com)Kill Cliff - Code:  PODCASTKC20 (killcliff.com)S4FE-D - Code:  ONESREADY (s4fe-d.com)Modern Athlete Strength Systems:Warfighter: ($49/month)https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/workSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page:  HERERegister for our Operator Training Summit:  OperatorTrainingSummit.comFind an Air Force Recruiter: AirForce.comCollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code:  ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code):  ATACLeteDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code:  ONESREADYDFND Apparel...