How long must I jump?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 19:48:00 -0400

Greetings to all, I have a question in regards to how airborne works in the Army Reserve.

Airborne has always been a goal of mine, but one thing that I feel is stopping me is the long term effects on the body due to landing. From what I have gathered so far, a soldier on active duty must be on jump status for 36 months to keep their wings while a soldier in the reserve must be able to jump once every 3 months to continue drawing jump pay.

With that in mind, how long would I have to jump before I can choose to stop and still be able to keep my wings? or can I opt out of jumping, forfeit jump pay and still keep my wings?

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 1 at 2018 8:17 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:17:40 -0400

About 1250’

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2018 8:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:29:17 -0400

I'm not familiar with very many Airborne coded reserve units. There are a few, but if you're not in one, you probably aren't going to Airborne school. It's not like Air Assault or Pathfinder where you go, get a badge, and come back to your old job but with a new skill. Basically, I'm saying you most likely will not be authorized to go.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2018 8:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:49:18 -0400

Haha lol i got this one... well young aspiring to be a paratrooper, i left airborne, dropped my Jump Status after 7 years being Airborne. Went to Carson for 4 years and then decided well I'll see if I get lucky with 3rd SFG at Fort Bragg, haha noooooooooo, 82nd Airborne Division said oh no you still got fresh legs son, come on down buddy! Take it im 34 now bro lol. Unless you really like being in a Non Airborne unit. Once you're airborne, you're always airborne lol my motto... 14 years and i've spent 10 in airborne

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2018 8:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:50:10 -0400

Andrew. Not sure where your information is coming from, but it is way off.

1. As soon as you graduate from Airborne School, you have your wings for the rest of your career.
2. Jumping is not overly hard on your body if you do what you are told. Feet and knees together and try to do a proper PLF. Yes you can get injured, but that is true with most things we do in the Army. Be a sponge at Fort Benning and execute what you learn. 50 jumps and no major issues.

If you have more questions shoot me a message. AATW.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 1 at 2018 10:46 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 22:46:04 -0400

Good Grief- 1. There is a difference between Status and Pay. If assigned to an ABN unit then you must stay on status normally 36 months. Everyone must jump a minimum of every 3 months for pay period. 2. I jumped for 21 yrs, all on status- yes my knees, shoulders and back hurt. But during my 1st ten years we jumped when the winds exceed 20 knots, Once as high as 30+ knots- lots of rough landings, but I survived and compared to many other combats vets, I'm in fair shape.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Sep 2 at 2018 10:22 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 10:22:05 -0400

First things first: you dont want to be Airborne, you want to be able to wear wings. Huge difference.

Forget jump school and just get on with your life. Leave the airborne school slot for someone who wants to be there fir more than the wings.

Response by SGT Tim Doerner made Sep 2 at 2018 11:51 AM

SGT Tim Doerner — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 11:51:31 -0400

Wings are forever.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Sep 3 at 2018 12:45 PM

1SG Harold Piet — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 12:45:54 -0400

For a C130 up 6 out 36. quitters never win, and winners never quit. Be Airborne all the way.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Sep 3 at 2018 10:10 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 22:10:15 -0400

What holds up a chicken's ass? Dirty, nasty, stinking legs, that's what! Go for it, if you want to play it safe and be a leg all your life, you should have joined the Marines or Navy.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2018 1:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 01:46:46 -0400

I spent 7 yrs at Ft Bragg in 4th BCT...was on jump status the entire time until I PCS'D to Ft Bliss. I spent 23 months at Bliss before volunteering to go to JBLM to fill an open position in 1st SFG (A). Within 3 months of being in 1st SFG, I had completed my first jump with my new unit...it was Great!! Keep feet and knees together and knees slightly bent as you prepare to land and chin on chest.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 10:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 10:49:27 -0400

It’s all luck of the draw. 21 years and never had leg injuries from jumping despite being just short of centennial.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2019 6:46 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 06:46:35 -0400

If you have not gone to airborne school yet, do yourself and everyone else a favor; don’t go.
You’re just chasing wings. You’re already worrying about knees, back, and dropping status. You should go after another school where you can wear the badge and not have to perform duty after completion.