is it still possible to receive Airborne School orders when reenlisting from the National Guard to Active Army?

2018-11-15T15:06:00-05:00

Hello all. I am nearing the completion of my first 6-year enlistment with the National Guard, and my goal is to re-enlist into active duty. I am a 68W Healthcare Specialist/Combat Medic, currently occupying an E-5 slot in the Mountain Infantry. My personal goal is to re-enlist for a new MOS, ideally 12B Combat Engineer, and go to airborne school. Now, any active duty recruiter I have talked to about this has been reticent about offering an MOS reclass, and most have said that airborne is not given to prior service. Another option I have looked at is applying for Civil Affairs, which would require airborne training, but few recruiters have been willing to talk about it.
Is it still possible to get airborne in an enlistment contract?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 4:10 PM

2018-11-15T16:10:28-05:00

The recruiters you are talking to are correct- PS rarely if ever get airborne in the enlistment contract. You might be able to get an airborne exam done at the MEPS for General Purpose but that will pretty much be the extent of it.
Being as you are prior service the “icing on the cake” is being able to go active duty. When you go to the MEPS a phone call will be made based on the current business rules and either you get a “choice” of MOS or a “Choice” of duty station. The “choice” could entail 2-3 things it may be take it or leave it.
If you want to go airborne just tell that to your duty station and go after it. There is far more opportunity to get airborne once you are active Army then there is coming into it.
Good luck

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 4:51 PM

2018-11-15T16:51:18-05:00

If that does not work, try joining a civil Affairs Airborne unit in the Army Reserve. They will put you through Airborne School. There is the 426 civil Affairs Battalion in Upland California. I used to belong to it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-11-15T16:55:29-05:00

The Civil Affairs course is open to promotable specialist to Sergeant. Medical service Corps often is borrowed in Civil Affairs. It is possible for a civil Affairs unit to be commanded by a medical officer. I believe the active-duty qualification course is one month long and you can now to get picked up for Missions all the time worldwide. Civil Affairs also allows you to be a master jumper and go through Air Assault school as well. You may also be able to go to language school. I once belonged to a USAR Airborne unit in Upland, Califorina. There are a few Airborne units scattered nationwide aside from the Active Duty Brigade at Fort Bragg.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 5:26 PM

2018-11-15T17:26:32-05:00

If for whatever reason you aren't guaranteed an Airborne slot, you can volunteer in AIT or at your first duty station. There's always a need for airborne.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 6:57 PM

2018-11-15T18:57:58-05:00

You will be offered needs of the Army when you go to MEPS. Your recruiter can’t offer you any MOS.

Response by CPT Ray Gilmore made Nov 16 at 2018 9:37 AM

2018-11-16T09:37:41-05:00

(1) You are near your ETS and you want to reclassify to 12B.

(2) You want Airborne, wings upon your chest......

(3) Your 2nd "Option" is to apply for Civil Affairs; to get Airborne Wings Upon Your Chest....
.............................
What is your goal?
Is it to become a 12B, and chase a Tab?

Is it to transfer from NH Guard to a Civil Affairs Reserve Unit?

OR, do you want some shiny wings?

Your answers, determine the response....

Because, it doesn't sound like you know what you want.....

BAC Honor Grad, Class 04-04
Sapper 21A, 2001-2009
Combat Advisor: Civil Affairs 2007

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 9:19 AM

2018-11-17T09:19:02-05:00

One thing I've seen done, if it is still out there is to enlist for an 18X slot. If you do, you go through some infantry OSUT, head to Jump school, and then off to Fort Bragg. If you can't make it through the extremely tough SF training, you're an airborne infantryman.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2019 10:01 PM

2019-10-14T22:01:45-04:00

So right now E-5 medic slots are unavailable for incoming guard or reservists enlisting active. So yes the new MOS AIT is required. More than likely you’ll be needs of the army. When you get to your unit put in an airborne packet and re-enlist again. Just make sure you re-enlist for the minimum required years so you come up on your next reup window quickly so you can put airborne in your next contract.

Or talk to a different recruiter about putting it into your contract

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2019 10:03 PM

2019-10-14T22:03:30-04:00

You also need to make sure you recertify your 68w

Active duty will not let you keep 68w as a secondary MOS as long as you continue doing CEUs on your own when the time comes you can go back to being a medic if you’d like in your next reup

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2023 10:23 AM

2023-02-06T10:23:54-05:00