Non-Combat MOS Attending HOOAH Schools.

2014-04-14T13:31:50-04:00

I am a 42A and I have done pretty well in my career so far. PT is good,
NCOERS good, NCOES good but when I or any of my like Soldiers/NCOs request
schools like Airborne, Air Assault or anything outside of an NCOES or required
course we are repeatedly shot down with reasons like "It's not required
for your position". I was under the impression that 1. If you do well continuously
you get rewarded and sometimes that can be going to a course. 2. A Soldier
should always strive to improve themselves in different ways. I would consider
attending one of these courses as doing just that. 

I understand if funds are tight or you do not think the Soldier does not
have the ability to pass the course, then by all means do not send them. I do
not want to waste GOV funds. But if the Soldier has what it takes and there are
no other significant obstacles, why not?

What are your thoughts?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 1:39 PM

2014-04-14T13:39:23-04:00

SSG Wise

As a previous 42A, now 35F I feel your pain

I've been trying to go Airborne for years now, every time it gets shut down for the same reason as you stated, right now I am trying to get an airborne position, so hopefully that goes through before I get too old and/or crippled to do it

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 1:42 PM

2014-04-14T13:42:54-04:00

Request to get stationed at FT Bragg. I bet you will get an airborne school slot then.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 3:16 PM

2014-04-14T15:16:00-04:00

Being a 92Y, this has happened to me multiple times. So my solution was going to Army Combatives Schools. They didn't want to send me to Airborne, so I got Combatives lvl 1, 2, and 3.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 14 at 2014 3:24 PM

2014-04-14T15:24:17-04:00

HOOAH School? What ASI/SQI is that?!?! :)

If that's the reasoning you were given, it's probably a budget thing. Have you requested an assignment to a more 'HOOAH' assignment?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 3:51 PM

2014-04-14T15:51:15-04:00

Get station in ft benning.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 11:07 PM

2014-04-27T23:07:17-04:00

First slots need to go to those who require it for their jobs. If you are a 42A in an airborne unit and it's required by UMR position then send them. If they are a 42A in a non-airborne unit then only give them a slot if there are openings after all those Soldiers needing it have been put into slots. I went to airborne school as a cadet. Did I need it as a cadet? No. Did I know if I would need it after? No, I did not even know what field I was going into at that time. Did I graduate and proud to wear my wings? Yes. It is a great motivational and retention tool to use with your top performers.

In summary, first give to those who are required it, then to those who deserve to be recognized for their superior work.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2014 4:16 PM

2014-06-03T16:16:54-04:00

Airborne and Air Assault schools are just a means of infiltration. If you aren't in a unit that is potentially going to infil by these two means you shouldn't go. It's a waste of money and resources. If you want to attend these schools, get stationed at Campbell or Bragg. Just a note, Bragg has removed a lot of airborne slots due to budgetary constraints so it's not a given that if you do end up at Bragg you'll go to Airborne school.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 11:45 AM

2014-06-04T11:45:12-04:00

I approach this from a couple angles. The only personnel who go to Airborne School that arent either assigned to or in route to an airborne unit are ROTC cadets. I went to airborne school as a requirement for my initial parachute rigger job. Being airborne qualified even after reclassing, kept me in airborne assignments for over 18 years. Air assault is different, it is often offered as a reward for reenlisment or for being a squared away troop. At Bragg the entire post would have an MTT from Campbell teach a course and units were allocated certain numbers of slots. Not all units got slots, some units got more than others, and so on. Air assault is about the only "hooah" school that isnt tied to your assignment. The rest (airborne, pathfinder, military free fall, etc) are all tied to your position coding.

My advice, if you want a "hooah" school put in a 4187 for or ask branch for an assignment to a unit that requires the school or schools as part of your job. You can pull up unit MTOEs and see if they have 42A3P slots in them.

The problem is that people see other soldiers with a chest full of badges and think wow, wish I had that opportunity. When in reality it is usually less about opportunity and more about where the person has been assigned or what their job required.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2019 11:11 AM

2019-09-16T11:11:43-04:00

Try requesting to be in a unit that has "Airborne" or "Air Assault" slots. Many units at Ft. Bragg or Ft. Campbell have these units. Their schools person can probably submit you to fill one of their quota seats, especially if your slot is an airborne position.