If I join the Army as a 68W, will it be hard to go to Airborne School once I enlist? Should I wait until I get option 4 in my contract?

2018-12-06T18:03:06-05:00

Hello All, I am a 19 year old female attending college. I have decided not to sign up for the spring semester and join the army. I plan on finishing my degree later on in life.
Originally, I was going to join the reserves. However, my intent with joining is to learn as much as possible and get the most out of my time in the military. Active duty seems the way to go. I have done some research and decided 68w (combat medic) was the best fit for me. I have talked with a recruiter. He has a position open for this mos with a 4 year contract. Ideally though, I would get option 4 (airborne school) with my contract. My recruiter has told me this is tough to get and I should take this opportunity while I can.
My question is, will it be hard to go to airborne school once I enlist? Should I wait until I get option 4 in my contract?
I particular like the mos 68w because it seems as if it has a lot of variety and opportunities to advance your knowledge. Ex) Flight medic.

Thank you in advance for your answers. I am still learning. So if I got anything incorrect please let me know. Any other knowledge related to 68w would also be greatly appreciated.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 6:09 PM

2018-12-06T18:09:45-05:00

How do you think your pt is? Cause if you don't get it in your contract you will have to be like usually its the top 5-10% in pt and your studies to get airborne from AIT. I lucked out with an option 4 when I first joined up and went and finished airborne school.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 6:24 PM

2018-12-06T18:24:15-05:00

Dont sign a contract until you get everything you want. Recruiters try to make it seem like all these jobs are hard to get, but spots open up every month.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 6:43 PM

2018-12-06T18:43:41-05:00

The Army is currently hurting for airborne 68W. So you might have a chance at getting it when you go to MEPS. The recruiter showed you what was available at that moment the job could be gone next time you go in his office. Also Airborne is usually offered as an incentive in AIT for those willing to go through Airborne pt. Even once you’re in it’s simply a school you have to apply for.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 8:58 PM

2018-12-06T20:58:43-05:00

Being you are young, even if you don't get Airborne initially, you can always try and get it when you are at AIT. Definitely go flight medic if you want to get as much medical knowledge possible. Congrats on getting into the best MOS in the Army. Definitely keep up with your Physical fitness as you progress in your military career.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 9:12 PM

2018-12-06T21:12:53-05:00

K D Great responses from other RallyPoint members. From your post, it sounds like you are squared away. Please keep us posted on your status. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 10:01 PM

2018-12-06T22:01:26-05:00

It's so easy that they will send people to Airborne from AIT. If you aren't able to go then, it's still easy to request after a year or two at your first duty station

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2018 5:52 AM

2018-12-07T05:52:37-05:00

I concur with others. If you are set on 68W, take the option while its available. No matter what additional Special Qualification Identifiers you have, you will always be a 68W first. So ensure you lock in the job satisfaction first and foremost. Airborne school can be gained later, much easier than an MOS reclassification. Private RallyPoint Member is in 68W AIT right now, about to volunteer for Airborne school. He might be able to give you further insight on the current state of the AIT volunteer process.

Also, don't hold off on your college education too long while you are in. Stay focused on your job duties, but also find time to pursue one class at a time, when you can. The Army has been on a drive to get enlisted personnel to be just as educated as its officers. While you are serving, use the free (to you) Army Tuition Assistance program to continue pushing toward your degree (https://www.goarmyed.com/public/public_tuition_assistance_policies.aspx). This funding is separate from your GI Bill, which you can save for use after you leave the Army. For instance, Excelsior College offers 47 credit hours specifically for the mandatory 68W military training pipeline toward an associate's and/or bachelor's degree in Health Sciences (see below). Additional credentials and education in your field (especially the medical field) only makes you a more effective Soldier.

(https://my.excelsior.edu/documents/78666/18116271/Combat+Medic+Health+Care+Specialist+AS+Health+Sciences+Degree+Map+September+2017.pdf/0271e712-82cc-1f1e-b03a-8ece065b4fb1

https://my.excelsior.edu/documents/78666/18116271/Combat+Medic+Health+Care+Sepcialist+BS+Health+Sciences+Degree+Map+September+2017.pdf/cee513a7-a13c-c496-beca-75fff81e12b2

https://cme.excelsior.edu/army/

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Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2018 6:03 AM

2018-12-07T06:03:01-05:00

Karyn,

I work at MEPS where you’ll process for you ASVAB, Medical, job interview, and then swear in. Once you are complete with your initial medical physical you will go have a short job interview. At that time you may request an airborne assignment. You will then be given permission to go back to the medical section where you’ll have one more short interview with a physician. You’ll have be able to clear your ears. Then you may go back to your service Liason who will add airborne to your military contract. Be sure to ask for a bonus. Once you have that added to your contract you can go to basic then AIT and from AIT you will go to airborne school at fort Benning.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2018 6:04 AM

2018-12-07T06:04:23-05:00

You should also speak to someone about how to finish college on the Army’s dime through ROTC. Explore every option

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2018 9:02 AM

2018-12-07T09:02:13-05:00

Don't wrap your head around just getting your jump wings, the Army has a ton of cool schools that you can attend. Look at Mountain Warfare, Jungle (in Hawaii), Rough Terrain Medical Evac, etc. Good luck and let us know if we can help more.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Dec 7 at 2018 1:08 PM

2018-12-07T13:08:23-05:00

If it is not in your contract. You will not get it unless on the off chance you are set to a Airborne with open slots. DO NOT LET ANY ONE TELL YOU OTHERE WISE, IF THEY DO THEY ARE LIEING TO YOU OR DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. Recurter never lie to you they just forget to tell you all the facts. Or you misunderstud what they told you. That is because they are not allowed to lie to you. THE most important thing when you get to the M.E.P.S. and it is time for you contract read the whole dame thing. If you do not understand somthing have them put it in wrighting. MOST OF ALL IF IT IS NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT DO NOT SIGN THE PAPERS. The recurters do not give a crap about you you are a number they have to make, Just like the people at M.E.P.S. You can ask every day all year long to go to jump school after you get to your unit, But if it is not in there school budget you will. not get it. Then there are all the other people that want to go to jump school that have been there longer than you,and yes you can be next on the list then the higher ranked person wants to go there goes your slot. If it is not nessary for the uint to have you Airborne Qulified. Do not count on it ever happening. I bet no one has told you that you need to take and go to every Military school you can as well as knocking out as much civilin education as you can. it is hard to get promoted as a medic without that civilin education. I am just telling you things that I wish people would have told me. I learned the hard way. Then when I was in Leadership positon I mad my people take all the Military schools that I could get them in to. Now those that stayed in the Army are all at lest E-7's if not higer.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2018 3:47 PM

2018-12-07T15:47:46-05:00

Yes so take 68w I promise you they offer everyone here airborne and Rasp just need an 80%gpa in class and 80%apft score Also wish I would of known this before as well if you have the time take the Nremt now if you do this you fast track and come in as a specialist hope this helps

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Dec 8 at 2018 1:59 PM

2018-12-08T13:59:33-05:00

Karen D. First of all. I feel that I must tell you a few things about a female's going to any joint basic and AIT. 1. Almost all if not all females get hit on every day. 2. If you hook up with any one school it will get around. I have seen this before. The medic field is not that big, And you will run in to people that you went to school with. So be carefull. 3. Do not lend any money that you want back, All ways lock you stuff up. 4. I do not know if they still want the students to come up with new moto's every week. Screw that stupid shit take you time to study or just decompress. It is more important to learn what you are studying than to just memerize it for the test. 5. The instrutor's will tell you that you will learn it when you get to your unit. BULLSHIT no one wants to train you as well you my be deployed right after geting to your unit. Learn all you can when then are there. BUY YOUR OWN MEDICAL BOOKS when you get out of school.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2018 8:42 PM

2018-12-08T20:42:48-05:00

If you are in the top of your class and have a high PT score, they will send you to Airborne school. Keep in mind, that even if you are 68W, you may not be doing a lot of medical work when you get to your duty station. I'm currently a 68W now. Becoming a flight medic is also extremely competitive.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 7:29 AM

2018-12-09T07:29:35-05:00

Despite what others are saying, from what I have experienced, seen and heard it is extremely rare for airborne slots to be given in AIT and later on in your army career. In my AIT class we had three slots allotted to the entire company, which I was fortunate enough to obtain. If you don’t get it in your contract there’s a good chance you’ll never end up going, so go for it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 6:03 PM

2019-01-17T18:03:29-05:00

Never believe a recruiter.

Response by SPC Heriberto Perez made May 10 at 2021 6:45 PM

2021-05-10T18:45:52-04:00

I enlisted to be a 68w and airbourne school you go the ait for medic training and after you shou get orders for airbourne school then yo you duty station at least that’s how I went thru

Response by SSG Ken Potts made Jun 5 at 2021 7:42 PM

2021-06-05T19:42:46-04:00

Unless you get Bragg the only way you will get it is in contract. Because when you get to Benning, you will be booted to make a seat for an 11 series.