Question for a Recruiter or Army Reserve Career Counselor

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 00:23:43 -0500

I have been in the Army Reserve since 2009. As of October 7th, 2014 I am now eligible to reenlist. Have you ever heard of a Reservist who got an Airborne School reenlistment incentive? I'm curious because I think that is going to be my best opportunity for Airborne School assignment.

Response by SSG Jeremy Siebenaller made Nov 8 at 2014 5:52 PM

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 17:52:35 -0500

Brother, Let me talk from experience....If you want to go Airborne, and you're already on orders to a reserve unit, Don't Re-Up unless they give it to you! If they want you to stay, they will cut you orders. If you want Airborne as an insentive, then you are saving them BIG money NOT having to cut you a check for a bonus!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 12:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:51:54 -0500

At this point, you still have a year before you fall into your "love time" aka MSO (IRR time). You can push and see if the unit will send you to Airborne school. If they don't, you can simply request to transfer to IRR once your 6 yrs are up. As an IRR soldier, you can easily transfer back into TPU (Drilling Reservist) status and find a unit that will meet your needs and/or desires.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 12:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 12:02:27 -0500

SPC Voye,

You have a couple of options for getting the school that you want. One is to find a unit that has Airborne positions. You can go to your local Career Counseling for assistance in finding one. The other method is to join a Drill SGT unit. Once you get DS qualified, you can volunteer for mobilization. I have been told by people at Fort Benning that if you are on orders as a DS there and you prove yourself (aka DS of the cycle, quarter, year) then you could be allowed to attend Airborne school while you are there. (I do know one person that was able to do this).

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 10:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 10:33:58 -0500

You won't get it as a USAR contract incentive. However, there are units out there with Airborne slots. Closest one I know of to Pittsburgh is the 422d (I think that is the number) CA BN in Columbus, OH. There is also one in Ft Dix, NJ, the 404th CA BN.
You won't be able to get it in a contract, but there are units out there who can both train you and get you jump every other month.

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Jan 24 at 2015 4:45 PM

SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 16:45:08 -0500

You could transfer to a National Guard unit. I believe that there are SF battalions in West Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky that are part of the 19th or 20th Special Forces Groups. Otherwise look at a Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. They have an Airborne LSU Troop in each Brigade. Otherwise look for a LRSD unit. All of these units may have long waiting lists to get into them. Don't discount support units that might have Airborne slots (quartermaster units with rigger sections, SF support battalions, etc...) You may need to switch to a new MOS. Unfortunately, finding an Airborne position in the USAR is tough. More options are available in the National Guard and the education benefits are better too.