Posted on May 5, 2014
Should Airborne School be a requirement to serve in an Airborne Unit?
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First off, I am not trying to offend anybody that is not airborne that is currently serving in an airborne unit. But doesn't it make sense that if you are in the unit, you should be airborne qualified? Some people also argue that being airborne is an obsolete skill. Just looking for some thoughts. Thanks.
Posted in these groups: 
Airborne School
Paratrooper
Airborne School Paratrooper
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 55
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Absolutely, if you are going to serve in an active Airborne unit you should be Airborne qualified. My advice would be to fulfill every requirement your duty position requires. For example, if your duty position has and SQI and/or ASI then you should fulfill those requirements to be fully qualified for the position.
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COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
SSG Rodney,
- Things have changed in the 82nd ABN and at Fort Bragg since the 1990s. Simply stated not 100% are either ABN qualified or in paid parachutist positions.
- The above is more a reflection of a changed fiscal environment then it is of a change approach to their organizational mission.
- With above written, a logical argument on why 100% should be jump qualified is to ensure there are no have's or have not's within the organization, help better esprit de corps within the formation, and to enable better understanding across the formation on what is needed/when across all phases of an airborne operation.
- In addition, the Army is about effectiveness not efficiencies. In other words, it is more important for us to be able to win our nation's wars than it is to get the most "bang for the buck". Yes, we try to do both but these two concepts are not equal in my opinion.
- Things have changed in the 82nd ABN and at Fort Bragg since the 1990s. Simply stated not 100% are either ABN qualified or in paid parachutist positions.
- The above is more a reflection of a changed fiscal environment then it is of a change approach to their organizational mission.
- With above written, a logical argument on why 100% should be jump qualified is to ensure there are no have's or have not's within the organization, help better esprit de corps within the formation, and to enable better understanding across the formation on what is needed/when across all phases of an airborne operation.
- In addition, the Army is about effectiveness not efficiencies. In other words, it is more important for us to be able to win our nation's wars than it is to get the most "bang for the buck". Yes, we try to do both but these two concepts are not equal in my opinion.
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If you in a Airborne unit, ether show up with them or be prepared to go get them!
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It's not an obsolete skill, however if you are assigned to a Airborne unit you should be Airborne qualified to be able full fill the any mission given. Just like myself being in a Air Assault division I need to be Air Assault qualified to be able to full fill the mission required.
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MAJ Matthew Arthurs
Slightly off target, but since when do you need to be Air Assault qualified to perform the Air Assault mission?
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CW3 (Join to see)
Agreed. Before I became a pilot I was a Jumpmaster and a Pathfinder, but not Air Assault qualified. Definitely did A LOT of Air Assault missions at Bragg. I never saw the point of going to AA school when I already had my torch. However, if I end up going to Campbell, I’ll go to the school because it is what is expected of those assigned to the 101st.
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CPT Patrick Dougherty
My first assignment was a platoon leader in B 1/504 in November 1969, right to Jumpmaster school. Assigned to the 101st Pathfinders in RVN, ended up being the CO. Brought them back to Campbell, rebuilt the unit and for a time the advanced airborne school was part of us. Left to takeover A 1/327. As a sport parachutist I was also the Post Freefall Safety Officer. Wanted to go to flight school but they didn’t need 0-3s. So I got out went in the FBI for 27 years. 22 as a pilot, then retired and spent 10 years as a corporate pilot. A short time in C 2/11 SFGA. My employer told me to make a choice reserves or continue as a 1811/Special Agent. No choice really. Best people and best job for me ever. I am still in touch with many of my fellow paratroopers from every unit I was in.Met my wife of 49 years through another LT while in B 1/504. My brother in law ended up in the Bureau also. I owe a lot to the Airborne. There is just something special about a Airborne soldier.
Pat Dougherty
Pat Dougherty
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SPC Bob Ridley
I agree sir. There is something special about an Airborne soldier & an Airborne unit. I served in the Army Reserve with Service Company, 11th SFGA, Fort Mead, MD. I loved it. However, like you sir, I had to give it up when my enlistment was over due to my civilian business. CPT Patrick Dougherty
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