Posted on Sep 6, 2021
How high do I have to reach for the anchor lines on the C-130?
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Looking to enlist soon after finishing up school with an Airborne contract. I heard that there is a mock C-130 where airborne students go through to see if they can reach the anchor cable; and if the student cannot reach the cable they would be dropped. How high exactly is the anchor cable? Worried that I might not be able to reach it as I am kind of short. I am under 5'3.
Posted in these groups: 
United States Army Airborne School
Airborne Trainee
Advanced Airborne School
Airborne Student
C-130 Loadmaster
United States Army Airborne School Airborne Trainee Advanced Airborne School Airborne Student C-130 Loadmaster
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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MEPS is required to make sure you can reach first. AS SGM (Join to see) stated its something like 84 inches. If I was at work I could tell you exactly, but I remember it's in the 80s
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Let me just say that I have seen some pretty short airborne students as well as on jump status troopers. The only height requirement that I am aware of is for jumpmasters having a minimum reach of 84 inches.
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World War II paratroopers were an average of 69" (5' 9") tall, and we've continued to make sure that the parachute systems accommodate women and shorter men as well.The anchor line cable is generally approximately 70" (5'10") when strung, and drops as the weight of the static lines are added to it to about 66" (5'6"). This depends on the aircraft, of course - the C130 strings it lower, but has a shorter overall length than a C17, so it "sags" less on the C130 than on the C17. Regardless, you just have to be able to reach the anchor line cable with your arm extended. Unless you have T-Rex arms, you'll be fine!
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