Is there an alternative to the Flexed Arm Hang at Airborne School?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 13:23:43 -0400

BAC website says 10 second FAH is requirement for Airborne School, but I've heard an alternative test is administered for those who cannot perform the FAH.

Does anyone know the accurate and current information?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 1:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 13:56:03 -0400

Check the website directly from Benning for Airborne School. Pay particular attention to this line:

"This is a safety mitigation measure to ensure students can pull and hold a slip to safely avoid fellow jumpers in the air, obstacles on the ground, and assume a proper prepare to land attitude. The flexed arm hang is a SEPARATE event. The FAH will be conducted on the first day of Airborne School. Students who fail to meet the initial FAH assessment will be re-evaluated the next day. For those students who fail the initial FAH assessment and fail the retest, they will be dropped from the course."

So, based on that statement, I would venture a guess that it is a NO to your question. But don't take my word for it. Call the school house directly to find out for certain.

https://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/ARTB/1-507th/Airborne/Entrance-Req.html

Entrance-Req.html

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 1:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 13:59:24 -0400

I do not have any info on this and I have not jumped in 15 years, nor have I ever jumped the new T-11's
But I would encourage you to re-think going to airborne if you are unable to meet that standard. Or work on pull ups to meet the standard. I say this, because the harness is very unforgiving and death is a very real possibility, with severe injury also very possible and minor injury common even among the strongest.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 2:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 14:14:17 -0400

If you can't do a Pullup you won't pass Airborne School. The Flexed Arm Hang is the bare minimum amount of strength required to pull a slip in a parachute under the very, very best of conditions.

If you are too weak to steer your parachute then you are a danger to others in the sky. You will eventually injure or kill someone because you can't slip away from them. It's best you either get stronger or avoid being Airborne completely so you don't accidentally kill someone.

"The Sky, even more than The Sea, is terribly unforgiving of even the slightest mistake"

Response by SSG Carlos Garcia made Sep 11 at 2021 4:33 PM

SSG Carlos Garcia — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 16:33:32 -0400

If you can't flex arms? Then. there's no place for anyone to be parachuting since they'll be unable to control the fall and manoeuvre of your parachute from others thus, placing the lives of others in danger by either colliding or by not being able to remove themselves from parachutists under his canopy will collapse theirs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 9:58 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 21:58:37 -0400

Good Lord CPL. Get to the gym.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 12 at 2021 5:14 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 05:14:41 -0400

If I may. Here you are asking for a waiver to be part of a special group of Soldiers who are called upon to take on sone of the most challenging missions the Army has to face. Instead you should be seeking guidance on how to improve your strength and agility in order to excel at school and beyond.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2021 7:18 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 07:18:16 -0400

If you fail the actual FAH they’ll allow you to take a test holding a slip on the suspended harness. If you can’t do that you’ll be sent home (or they’ll allow you to retest the FAH prior to jump week…can’t remember specifically but I think the black hats mentioned this once or twice).

That being said, I’d work on your pull-ups before you get there. Not a good idea to show up to Airborne out of shape.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2021 8:55 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 20:55:51 -0400

Thanks for everyone who provided helpful information. I will pass Airborne School. To those stating I need to “get to the gym” or am “unqualified”- I had an injury that makes it difficult to hold the FAH, but have improved significantly. A year ago, I couldn’t hold a 5 pound dumbbell in my right arm, now I’m nearly doing pull ups.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 9:15 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 21:15:48 -0400

If you can’t do a pull-up they let you pull a “slip” into your chest for 10 or 30secs to see if you’ll be able to pull yourself in the proper direction when needed. If you can’t do it you’re disqualified.