Are soldiers of other MOSs paratroopers or are only 11Bs who have completed infantry AIT real paratroopers?

2018-07-10T18:41:57-04:00

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 10 at 2018 6:51 PM

2018-07-10T18:51:55-04:00

Well, the answer will vary, depending on who answers the question and how they broadly or narrowly define "real paratroopers". The broadest definition of a "real paratrooper" is anyone who completed Airborne School (and many different MOSs complete that school). Others will say that only people assigned to an Airborne unit are "real paratroopers". Some will even restrict it to "only those who have done airborne operations", and others will restrict it further to "only Infantry are real paratroopers". So, take your perspective. I think it would be people who are airborne qualified and are (or have been) assigned to airborne units and actually do (or did) airborne operations.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 6:52 PM

2018-07-10T18:52:37-04:00

No, they aren’t the only paratroopers out there have you ever heard of Parachute Riggers the ones who pack, jump, and test everything out there? Plus, you have Rangers, Special Forces, and Delta they are all way more skilled than your 11B’s!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 7:00 PM

2018-07-10T19:00:02-04:00

If you jump you are paratrooper

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jul 10 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-07-10T19:20:36-04:00

Paratrooper is not limited to eleven bang bang.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 9:09 PM

2018-07-10T21:09:01-04:00

Agreed If your on jump status, you’re a paratrooper

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 10 at 2018 11:26 PM

2018-07-10T23:26:45-04:00

The school is open to pretty much every MOS.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jul 11 at 2018 12:16 AM

2018-07-11T00:16:20-04:00

Its all a matter of definitions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 2:08 AM

2018-07-11T02:08:09-04:00

My opinion: There is no Fake or Real paratroopers. Airborne school turns you into a Paratrooper BUT those of any MOS who serves or served in an Airborne Unit are PARATROOPERS and those who only went to Airborne School that have not been in an Airborne Unit is simply just Airborne qualified. Just like the Ranger Tab. Rangers are those who served in Ranger Battalion and earned their Tan beret. Those who only attend ranger school to earn the tab are only Ranger qualified.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 11 at 2018 6:15 AM

2018-07-11T06:15:31-04:00

If you jump you are AirBorne. Everyone who jumps from a plane into a tactical environment takes the same risk. They are all Warriors. Thank you for your service.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 7:13 AM

2018-07-11T07:13:56-04:00

I do think that there are different mentalities depending on the unit your are in. Some units do their airborne operations with follow on missions, heavy drops, wearing heavy equipment, etc. Others get to jump to maintain their proficiency as a Hollywood jumper every time. I do not think that it is MOS specific at all to be a "paratrooper". Every time you jump out of an aircraft and are able to land safely on the drop zone...you are a paratrooper in my opinion. As far as jumping into combat goes, I think as a military we are beyond those types of operations these days.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 11 at 2018 9:32 AM

2018-07-11T09:32:14-04:00

Anyone who straps a nylon sack to their ass and jumps from da plane is a "real" paratrooper. Engineers, logisticians and legal clerks all hit the ground just as hard , and at the end of the day everyone in a unit contributes to the success or failure of a mission.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 11 at 2018 9:50 AM

2018-07-11T09:50:53-04:00

If you have the wings, then you are a paratrooper- -we grunts can not do it on our own. As GEN Gavin said" Show me a man who will jump from an airplane and I'll show you a man that will fight!:

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 10:15 AM

2018-07-11T10:15:51-04:00

Padre...being a Sailor, I'm thankful to not be burdened with such questions late at night. I've FALLEN from from a plane while strapped to a real jumper...once...which was more than enough for me to know I wouldn't "want" to do it again-but figure I could if I had to. Hence...decidedly NOT a Paratrooper. That said, I don't loose any sleep wondering if I am a "real" veteran...was a "real" officer...let alone a "real" man. I left all of that behind long ago when I realized what matters is what you do when life hands you the choice of "go" or "quit". I've known quite a few "real" Paratroopers...and they were all "go". I've known a few Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines...and yes...civilians who I could say the same about. Some folks' choices and fates mean they get tested on that more often and at a higher level than others...which is why they get so much respect, and should get it. Still (stepping a bit outside my lane here)...I'm not sure who has "tested" themselves more; the 11X who continues to follow their logical career milestones...or the member from another MOS or even service, who pushes hard to get there against community expectations, requirements and available "slots". I'd wager that among those who've earned them, "Silver Wings" are what they are. Beyond that; who is the better " real warrior"...someone who is airborne "qualified", but yet to see combat, someone with the hard-won EIB, a "LEG" with a CIB, or a Marine aviator who fell while engaging multiple insurgents with nothing but his sidearm? I suppose the only time it really matters is if someone looks at themselves in the mirror and feels a genuine sense that until they've done "X"...they are not whole.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jul 11 at 2018 11:17 AM

2018-07-11T11:17:31-04:00

Well, I was 25V which is Combat Documentation/Production Specialist. I'm sure that most of you here have heard of "Combat Camera" which is a unit I served with for many years. One of our platoons consist of "airborne qualified" personnel which their main intent was to support SF units throughout the Army and Joint. So been qualified enhanced their capabilities. I say "qualified" because we were not a true airborne unit even though we supported airborne units. But to answer the question, I think is more about the mentality as well as the unit's mission. I mean there are many units that constantly train on airborne ops...combat jumps, heavy drops, etc. I was assigned to 5th SFG for a couple of years and the term been a paratrooper crossed my mind a few times but never gave it too much thought to be honest. But I understand the mentality.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Jul 22 at 2018 10:20 PM

2018-07-22T22:20:30-04:00

I don’t know how it is now but I went to jump school straight from basic training in 1972. After basic I had OJT-AIT at my permanent duty station, B Co. 1-504th

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Jul 22 at 2018 10:39 PM

2018-07-22T22:39:39-04:00

It has always been a notable achievement to earn jump wings. IMHO, everyone who has earned them has also earned the title “Paratrooper”. Every newly minted paratrooper (they were called “cherry” in my day) catches grief from those who have a few unit jumps beyond jump school. Mostly from those with basic wings rather than from the guys with Senior or Master jump wings.