Can I bug my DS or someone during BCT/AIT to send me to Airborne School?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 02:19:16 -0400

Hi,
I am an 88M army reservist. (98 asvab with all ones in PULHES) .
I really want to go airborne but couldn't get that in my contract.
Can I bug my DS or someone during BCT/AIT to send me airborne.
I really really really want to go airborne :(
Please advise.
thanks

Response by SSG Brian L. made Jun 19 at 2021 12:29 PM

SSG Brian L. — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 12:29:53 -0400

Airborne truck driver.... I don't want to sound condescending but do you hear that title? Why would your unit or the Army pay for that over combat arms and Soldiers that if need would jump into combat? If you wanted it that bad why not go active duty Infantry? And bugging your DS? Don't do that, they have limited say at best. Its not like they have a direct line to Airborne.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 12:34 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 12:34:48 -0400

As a Reservist, your Drill Sergeants will have no power over your follow-on training.
You can talk with your Reservist unit, asking them if they have any quotas and available seats. If they do, you can request it, it's their discretion. Otherwise, you'll pay the wait-list game.
Another option is to compete and win the Best Warrior competition or similar event.
They often offer a school of your choice.
Before you leave for BCT, you can try to play hardball with your recruiter. Pre-BCT is the only chance you have to negotiate your contract.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 1:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 13:38:45 -0400

The only guaranteed way to go airborne as a reservist is to go 92R Parachute Rigger. You’ll go to Basic Training, Airborne school, and then AIT. I’m assuming you haven’t shipped out yet, so if you really wanted to, you could tell your recruiters you want to change to 92R.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 1:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 13:41:52 -0400

You are a Reservist, you are not eligible to go unless your unit is an Airborne unit. If you were Active Duty you could volunteer for it and be sent to an Airborne unit.
1. Transfer to an Airborne Reservist unit like USACAPOC
2. Join Active Duty and volunteer for Airborne.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 2:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 14:34:03 -0400

Not gonna happen as a Reservist with your particular MOS and unit (which I'm guessing is non airborne).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 2:57 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 14:57:33 -0400

Air Assault may be in the cards but your unit has to have that as a need.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 19 at 2021 4:47 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 16:47:22 -0400

Not NO but Oh Hell NO! Sorry Son the unit has to pay for that schooling out of their funds- nothing is free in the world to include the Army. Unless you are in an Airborne unit- damn few in the USAR, then it isn't going to happen.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 5:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 17:03:02 -0400

Talk to your unit and see if they offer it as an incentive. Some units get billets for airborne and air assault as recruiting incentives. That’s pretty much your only option.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 19 at 2021 6:16 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 18:16:10 -0400

I have no insight into your question. However, just as a PSA....

ProTip: Never EVER "bug" your Drill Sergeant.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 19 at 2021 10:03 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 22:03:24 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member is correct, like normal.
The question that I would ask you is "Do you really think it is wise to bug your Drill Sergeant? You might find that if you bug your Drill Sergeant you get the reputation of being a pain in the ass, in which case you might need to worry about graduating BCT and AIT much less being a paratrooper.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 20 at 2021 10:31 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 10:31:30 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2021 12:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 12:24:29 -0400

Lol, yes, bug him don't take no for an answer. Let us know how that goes...

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 20 at 2021 1:25 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 13:25:42 -0400

As you can tell from what everyone else is saying you can't just request/demand a school seat as a reservist without justification or a clear need for the Command. But just a friendly tip. Don't go into the Military thinking you can bug your Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor so you get what you want.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Jun 21 at 2021 5:15 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 17:15:09 -0400

I would call your branch while you are in AIT!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2021 12:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:24:22 -0400

Reservist here:
Dont bug your DS in BCT or AIT unless you want to get messed with and made fun of.

When you get to your unit, your unit MIGHT have slots to go to jump school. But the Order of Merit list for that school will be competative, so do your distance learning and do all of your career progession schools before asking for it.

But still the best way is to join a reserve USACAPOC unit that is in jump status. I am getting spear fished by an airborne reserve unit that needs jumpers...so they are out there.