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?

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.

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.

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.

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. (Join to see) 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/

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.

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

Never believe a recruiter.

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.