Can I reenlist for HALO school?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:36:48 -0400

I am a Parachute Rigger and HALO School is in my natural career progression path. It comes with the ASI of W8, and Armyrenelistment.com says you can reenlist for any training as long as it comes with a new MOS, SQI, or ASI. I am getting mixed feedback about the right answer from my peers. Also, if I could, who would pay for the school?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 2:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 14:13:48 -0400

SSG Greer,

Have you asked your Career Counsler? That is the person you want to be talking to. I myself have never had or heard of a SM reuping for HALO School but good luck!

V/r

MSG Haro

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 5 at 2014 2:20 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 14:20:40 -0400

SGM Matthew Quick would definitely have the answer. I don't recall HALO being available through reenlistment prior to my retirement, but I KNOW a LOT has changed since then.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 7:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 19:03:35 -0400

The only problem I see with anyone getting into a specialty school (HALO, DIVE, Airborne, Air assault, pathfinder, Ranger) is that it still has to fall inline with your MOS SSG Greer, as it is in your MOS's career path it makes sense however for SGT Rusher as a 35N why would an Intel Soldier need that kind of combat jump school. if anything they would have to send him to airborne first. I was a 35N, I was going to go to Air Assault and Airborne training en-route to a SF group but I was offered the chance to go through the new 35Q MOS school and Re-classed. now I am making the argument for specialty schools and I am hearing why would a computer guy need any of these schools that are meant for Infantry Ranger or SF folks

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 5 at 2014 7:27 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 19:27:05 -0400

You will need to get into a unit that has the need for HALO such as SF. To do this rather simple but depends on you getting a few go's along the way. The first step is to get a Ranger contract. Ask your recruiter for an Option 40 contract. There are only a few I think 150 per year and they are spread out by MOS. If he she plays dumb or says he cant give you that or acts ignorant go to another recruiter. Each battalion has a specific platoon that requires HALO. If you dont get the opportunity to be in that platoon finish your requirement with Ranger Regiment then request to go to SFAS, get selected, graduate the Q-course and go to Special Forces Regiment. Once there you are not garunteed to be on a HALO team, however SF is now attempting to have all Q-course grads be HALO qualified and all of SF Regiment to be on HALO jump status. Last resort is to try to get to the 82nd or any infantry unit with a LRS unit. They are HALO as well. Good luck

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 6 at 2014 1:36 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 13:36:57 -0400

Bottom line, unless you NEED that specialty school for an assignment, then more often than not, you are not going to go.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 2:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 14:17:08 -0400

Maybe I should have cleared a few things up...
HALO school IS in my career path because I'm a Rigger.
My unit HAS W8 positions (MOST Rigger units do).
And Armyreenlistment.com says you can reelenist for any training that grants an ASI... such as W8.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 9:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 21:28:16 -0400

I would say that it all depends on your unit of assignment. If you are at a base where they don't have any HALO units you may have a hard time getting the school. The needs of the Army wouldn't justify sending you, even if it is in your career path, to a school when you are not going to use the skill. My brother in law is trying to do Halo but he was at Bragg at the time. With SF and a LRS unit with HALO guys there were in need of HALO riggers. He is in europe now supporting one battalion of paratroopers of the 173rd in germany. Now he has pretty much no way of getting now unless it is in route to another unit that needs it. This is the same way for Pathfinder. I can get it but there is no need for it. I wouldn't use it. If I was a scout PL I would then be in a place where I could be able to use the skills attained.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 10:04 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:04:34 -0400

SSG Greer,

I, and a few others were somewhat of a rarity beig that we were able to secure this school, the "white rabbit" of schools and in the reserves no less. Without giving out too many trade secrets the quotas were not ours they were gien to us through an unamed source. The cost of the course would fall on, for you, the School house ADFSD, if I understand it correctly.
I can tell you that once you get your HALO physical and your HAPC (High Altitude Pressure Chamber) card you could roll the dice and attempt to walk on there were several that accomplished this while I was in-processing at Bragg. HOWEVER, this is tricky now as that MFFPC is no longer using the VWT in Raeford, they have their own in YPG. There are some other pointers that I can give you but cannot post here, PM me and we can chat.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 7 at 2014 7:21 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 07:21:20 -0400

As most HALO teams are dealing out some real nasty voodoo I think it would behoove the Army to seek more females for HALO. Just knowing how our SF teams operate as of now the last person I would expect to hand me the death card would be a female. I say go for it keep pushing for it and be a trail blazer. The Army needs more vanguard such as yourself. Hooah SSG Greer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 3:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 15:20:47 -0400

And your unit foots the bill

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 18 at 2014 7:11 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 07:11:07 -0400

No, is not a re-up option! You should know that. I did go to HALO school as a Rigger many years ago (1995) because I was the HALO Loft NCOIC. The way it works is simple: 1) your position is W8 coded; 2) the unit gets a slot; 3) has the funds; 3) sends you. I will assume you work at the ADFSD so it will not surprise me the issue is related to funds rather than a school allocation; they flip the bill!

By the way, I would get other requirement done before even asking for it. For instance it is more important to get all of your Skill Level education done and Jumpmaster if not already qualified. Those are imperative in as a 92R.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 1:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 13:46:45 -0400

I don't know how much this matters now, four years later but to my understanding, reenlistment option four is for a military school. That part shouldn't be an issue. The issue most have is that MFF requires one to be assigned to a freefall billet upon graduation. In your case, you would. As a rigger, you'd be packing and jumping freefall chutes. Shouldn't have been an issue. I surely hope you made your way there and didn't have to reenlist for something that should be a given for you.