Any tips on the best way into the 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiments as non-Airborne?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 08:54:08 -0400

Greetings all, seeking a little help from anyone willing to give insight. I'm getting ready to transition from Active Duty, going on terminal leave at the beginning of August.

I'm staying in the Killeen/Fort Hood area and would be very happy if I could get my foot in the door at 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th Infantry Division as I'm looking to join the National Guard. I am an 11C but looking for an 11B position, I'm non-Airborne qualified but was curious to know if I could get into the unit and be sent to Airborne school later?

My Guard recruiter had wanted me to go to Airborne School before leaving Active Duty, but it would eat up majority of my terminal leave and I'm trying to use that in get settled and secure civilian employment. That being said, I have 7 years of active duty service and that entire 7 years I've wanted to be a Paratrooper. To achieve this would be a dream come true for me.

Thoughts?

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jul 23 at 2015 8:59 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 08:59:36 -0400

My recommendation - Get an appointment and speak with the Bn CSM.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 23 at 2015 9:29 AM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 09:29:53 -0400

If you've always wanted to go to airborne school, you should do it before you get out. National Guard units may not have a slot for you for a while, and you may never even get in the unit. Plus you are probably in better shape now and haven't acclimated to civilian life yet... Going to airborne school now will be better for you. I would recommend just eating up the terminal leave time (it's only a few weeks), or try to extend your ETS. You will probably regret it if you don't go now.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 10:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 10:25:11 -0400

Step 1: Contact the unit and see if they even have slots available. If they say yes, then move to step 2. Step 2: Ask if they will be able to send you to Airborne and if you will need to re-class to 11B.

Response by SPC Jonathan Sellers made Jul 23 at 2015 10:46 AM

SPC Jonathan Sellers — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 10:46:13 -0400

You had 7 years... and your dream was interrupted by terminal leave? POG

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 11:16 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 11:16:29 -0400

Last time I checked, the BC is only looking for people that are already Airborne qualified.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 24 at 2015 2:04 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:04:40 -0400

If you can get a slot before ETSing do it. That been said, make the NG career counselor work for you until he/she drops. He/she can get you in the unit if they have a valid MTOE position open regardless if ABN qualified or not. Nevertheless, if not qualified you will have to wait until an opportunity arises. and that could take some time.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 7:45 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 19:45:52 -0400

Only taking AB qualified personnel at this time. Might change next fiscal, but I doubt it. There is a wait to go now for SM's that have been there for some time now. Also, as an 11C, the SL on up positions are Victor slots.

Response by CPT Craig Mathison made Aug 15 at 2016 5:27 PM

CPT Craig Mathison — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 17:27:13 -0400

That was my old unit. back then it was the 143rd Inf. Det (LRS), 49th A/D at Camp Mabry. I got in w/o being jump qualified by talking with the unit full-timer. Go there and speak with him. They interviewed & tested me by making me be able to identify all kinds of enemy vehicles via flash cards, etc. I told them I was willing to take any slot available and I got put in the Rigger Section. My advice is to go to jump school while still active because the jump slot I was waiting for took nearly two years. So my primary MOS was 11B but my duty MOS was 92R and therefore, I could not promote unless I got to jump school and then rigger school.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 30 at 2016 10:32 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 22:32:07 -0400

SGT Cameron Weaver,
Try all the advice given. You didn't say wether or not you planned to further your education. If all else fails you might be able to make the OML while in Army ROTC. Good Luck and stay the full 20 years and get your qualification for retirement. o nly 14 more years!

Response by SGT Major Dixson made Jan 8 at 2017 4:34 PM

SGT Major Dixson — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:34:13 -0500

if youre still looking, contact SSG Jeremy Munget. He's the RRNCO. if you need details PM me.

Response by SGT Drew Clark made Jan 27 at 2017 1:18 AM

SGT Drew Clark — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 01:18:26 -0500

Beg to go to Airborne School!

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Oct 8 at 2022 3:49 PM

SSG Don Maggart — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 15:49:20 -0400

No I was a G went Worldwide wasn't interested in Battalion.. going SF

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Oct 8 at 2022 3:51 PM

SSG Don Maggart — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 15:51:55 -0400

183rd

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Oct 8 at 2022 3:52 PM

SSG Don Maggart — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 15:52:44 -0400

Kick the Puke

Response by SSG Nick Clark made Mar 30 at 2023 1:35 AM

SSG Nick Clark — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 01:35:41 -0400

I served in the 143rd, Great units within the organization. My best recommendation would be make a trip to Camp Mabry in Austin and get contact info. This was the last contact info from the Battalion, best of luck.

1ST BATTALION (AIRBORNE) 143RD INFANTRYREGIMENT
1705 SH95 N, BASTROP, TX 78602 [login to see] EXT 7194365