As a NG, what are my options on trying to go to any of the special schools (Airborne, Air-Assault, Pathfinder, etc) out of BCT/OSUT?

SPC Victor Doydora — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 19:09:34 -0500

I am 43 prior enlisted heading to BCT/OSUT 11B, Fort Benning, Ga. I am in fairly good shape able to max out my PT scores for 17-21 standards. As a National Guardsman I am wondering what are my options on trying to go to any of the special schools. (Airborne, Air-Assault, Pathfinder, etc). I keep hearing that it will be ultimately up to the needs of my unit but if I score high in my AFPT in BCT I could be selected. Does anyone have any experience in this?

Response by SP5 Tim Fenoglia made Nov 25 at 2018 7:18 PM

SP5 Tim Fenoglia — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 19:18:28 -0500

There are men half your age that can't cut it. To little too let brother, time to cash in your chips and leave the table. As always, peace out brother.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 7:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 19:40:50 -0500

Volunteer for it, they will ask for them most likely.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Nov 25 at 2018 7:45 PM

COL Dana Hampton — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 19:45:04 -0500

Is there a chance...yes, but it will be up to your state NG HQs and your unit. Typically, infantry Guard units have an internal OML for the badge finder schools and APFT weighs heavily in the selection. Keep your PT up and make sure your home station unit leaders know you want a slot and be the best Soldier you can be. I went to ABN school in my mid-20’s and was in top shape. The PT is challenging. The daily runs are key. Fall out of one of those (1-step behind the black hat pace man) and you’re done.

I had Soldiers and an Air Force doctor in my stick who were in their 40’s. They all passed. It’s all about mental and physical preparation. You got that and you can do ABN school in your sleep.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Harry H. made Nov 25 at 2018 8:07 PM

SFC Harry H. — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 20:07:09 -0500

Lemme put it this way, if it’s not in a contract somewhere Airborne and most likely Pathfinder is outta the question. The military doesn’t care about you personally, you are just a number and how much is that number going to cost us. If your not in an Airborne unit then it’s a waste if your units money to send you. Air Assault school may be the only one you might get.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 8:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 20:24:10 -0500

If you were active duty you could volunteer for Airborne school out of basic training. As NG you are tied to your unit. If you are not in a LRS unit, you're not going to be in an Airborne position. Airborne isn't just a school you pick up, it's an obligation. As for the others, you can't go to pathfinder as an initial entry and any other school is up to your unit to send you.

Short answer, if you're NG your unit is only paying for your OSUT. BCT is run by Regular Army

Response by SPC Zach Lockhart made Nov 25 at 2018 9:49 PM

SPC Zach Lockhart — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 21:49:28 -0500

Limited opportunities. Performance based and your unit’s budget is a major factor.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 9:57 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 21:57:06 -0500

There is absolutely no reason why you cannot attend any school. Depending on what state you’re in you may be required to attend another school. Get another APFT on record back at your unit, get yourself “Green” and then start asking to go to any school you can. Start with Ranger School! Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 10:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 22:18:46 -0500

Slim to none base off what funding your state has and if you can pass your BN OML for schools.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Nov 25 at 2018 10:43 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 22:43:33 -0500

In the ARNG, it is all bout who you know. I am being serious here. How much is it worth to you to go to airborne school? Keep your APFT up, make a sizable donation to the governor’s political war chest then collect a favor.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 2:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 02:25:32 -0500

If I recall correctly, you must be under the age of 40 to attend Airborne and Airassault. Pathfinder is a special skill, that requires more than just "I want to go" reason to get a spot in the course.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 26 at 2018 8:10 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 08:10:03 -0500

OK, as National Guard, the funding for additional schools is controlled by the state. While it's been a while since I was Active Reserve, my experience in the Guard is that Airborne is hard to get, but not entirely impossible. Air Assault is usually available, don't know about Pathfinder. Sapper School was available for 12B's when I was still in and there are Ranger slots available too, although not very many.
What State and unit are you going to be assigned?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 26 at 2018 11:43 AM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:43:54 -0500

As National Guard, schools like that are hard to get if the unit doesn't have a need. Everything is dependent on your state budget, so generally no need=no school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 12:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:11:27 -0500

A major factor of these schools being available to you will be funding for your state. Early in my career the funding was simply not there. Over the past 3 years after a major change to funding for the state, I have been able to attend Mountain Warfare, Air Assault, Pathfinder, Squad Designated Marksman, Heavy Weapons Leaders Course, and Non-Lethal Weapons Leaders Course. Keep your PT in check, stay on top of your SSD and be a Solid Solider and keep asking to go. If you get kick back find courses on ATRRS and show them to your Training NCO.

Response by SGT Matthew Sesar made Nov 26 at 2018 1:41 PM

SGT Matthew Sesar — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 13:41:06 -0500

Have a high pt score. That’s about all I do know.

Response by SGT Ronald Strickland made Nov 26 at 2018 4:38 PM

SGT Ronald Strickland — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 16:38:07 -0500

Air borne would be pretty hard but air assault is easier and so are schools like sniper school and pathfinder etc. Just have to keep on your unit about it

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Nov 27 at 2018 9:32 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:32:23 -0500

The key to sliding into an open slot is your availability and ability to drop everything and go on a moments notice. Many times the person slotted to go, develops an issue that precludes his/her attendance. Make sure your entire Command knows that you can attend with a days notice. Commands absolutely hate to waste school slots. Good Luck!
Edited ~ It's not just your Company TPU CoC that makes these decisions. The AGR's in Bn, Bde and above that run the show often have more power to make those last minute phone calls to fill a slot..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 11:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:03:50 -0500

From OSUT you will not get a chance at any of those schools. The only opportunities are for a Ranger contract or SFAS. That is to go to Regiment and Selection, not just so you can go to a school. On rare occasions a company may have airborne slots, but it is highly unlikely and as National Guard if it’s not in your contract you won’t get it.

Response by CPL Chris Palmberg made Nov 27 at 2018 1:01 PM

CPL Chris Palmberg — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 13:01:23 -0500

MTOE is often overlooked by guardsmen and reservists. For example, as a medic, if I go to a guard infantry battalion, promotion is going to be tough because there's 1 E7 slot, a few E6 positions, and less than a dozen 5 jobs.
If you're looking for an ASI, such as jump qualification, your best bet is to find a unit that requires it, such as an LRSU or SF unit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 1:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 01:27:04 -0500

You have less than a 1% chance of getting Airborne school since your unit is not an Airborne unit. Air Assault shouldn't be a problem, but with the way school funding and slots are trapped, it will not be until FY20 that you will be able to attend. The caveat is if your unit needs someone to fill a slot that was vacated by someone else in the unit. There are only 2 Pathfinder slots in a rifle company, a PSG/E7 and a PL/O1. The ARNG WTC adhere to the authorization for that school. Any school you want to attend, put the request in for TY20. I suggest Air Assualt and Mountain Warfare school, in that order.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 10:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 22:40:17 -0500

Your best chance was to have it in your contract if this is your first one. It will also all depend on what state you are in and what your ASI is, infantry has some air assault slots and ranger slots but airborne is for the 143rd. I have been in the guard for several years and evertime we are told there are slots for schools they get taken by battalion PVT.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Dec 13 at 2019 4:56 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:56:47 -0500

Other than it's a waste of state money, go for it if they willing to pay the freight, haul it!

Response by SSG Michael Love made May 28 at 2021 10:49 PM

SSG Michael Love — Fri, 28 May 2021 22:49:04 -0400

The way I did it, wanting to be Air Borne, I had to find a Air Borne unit to be in. There is a Special Forces unit in the N.G.. Find one and get in it even if it is a state away. You can get a lot of schools like Ranger, Path Finders if they are still active. Of course S.F. school. Having four or five MOS's is pretty common in S.F. Go for it. Good luck. Air Borne!