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I like to think of myself as more disciplined than my peers and I have one of the highest PT scores in my company. Trying to decide if I want to go Airborne and do some high-speed work, but I can't decide if I want to go Airborne route because all my NCOs tell me duty stations back in the states are a lot less relaxed than out here in Kuwait, so I'm not sure what a PCS in CONUS is like as this is my first assignment. Also worried about my future health if I go Airborne but my younger risky side just says to say f it and at least try (turning 21 in a month). And I don't want to miss out on a potential good duty station.
Any advice, especially from paratroopers, would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Any advice, especially from paratroopers, would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Paratrooper
82nd ABN
Duty Stations
25B: Information Technology Specialist
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
15
15
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Well, as an Airborne 25B your duty stations are Bragg, 4/25 Richardson Alaska, 173rd Vicenza Italy, 173rd East Camp Graffen Germany, 1-1 SFG Okinawa Japan, 1-10 SFG Panzer Kaserne Germany, JRTC at Polk, 1 SFG JBLM, 5 SFG Campbell, 7 SFG Eglin AFB 10 SFG Carson, and about a dozen or so signal detachments around the world with the 112th Signal.
Compare that to those awesome leg-only assignments in Kansas, Missouri, up state New York, Oklahoma , Korea, Texas, more Texas, and Georgia.
As for the physical part, do what your Jumpmaster tells you and you'll be fine. Riggers have hundreds of jumps and they're not broken. Being airborne will open up duty stations and assignments that are not available to your NAP peers, and airborne personnel are promoted at a faster rate than NAPs. When you are trying to promote TO SGT and SSG you get an extra 25 promotion points, which is a big deal in a low density MOS like commo where every point counts. When you're competing for Senior NCO ranks, Airborne personnel usually have a higher selection rate than their counterparts.
Compare that to those awesome leg-only assignments in Kansas, Missouri, up state New York, Oklahoma , Korea, Texas, more Texas, and Georgia.
As for the physical part, do what your Jumpmaster tells you and you'll be fine. Riggers have hundreds of jumps and they're not broken. Being airborne will open up duty stations and assignments that are not available to your NAP peers, and airborne personnel are promoted at a faster rate than NAPs. When you are trying to promote TO SGT and SSG you get an extra 25 promotion points, which is a big deal in a low density MOS like commo where every point counts. When you're competing for Senior NCO ranks, Airborne personnel usually have a higher selection rate than their counterparts.
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SFC (Join to see)
As for being in a relaxed unit, you're in Kuwait, you're leaving shortly, every unit you go to is going to be less relaxed. You're most likely going to a BCT, whether that's 10th Mountain, 1st ID or the 82nd, the discipline level will be more than you're accustomed to right now. You'll be placed on assignment no later than 6 months from your DEROS so you'll have to decide soon.
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SPC (Join to see)
Yeah 2 of my battle's are in Italy and 1 is on his way to Germany all are airborne. I didn't know they have all of those stations, WOW! Yeah a lot of my NAP peers go to the same places that are just eh. Yeah those 25 points could make or break a promotion, one of my NCOs went to the range every month just so he could get enough points to be promoted. Thanks for the comment SFC, got me motivated to start working on my airborne packet and finish it ASAP!
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When I first went to join the Army, I had the test scores to have any job I wanted. I told the Career Counselor at MEPS I wanted Airborne in my contract. I went from 212 jobs to 2 to choose from. I was talked into 13B from 11B. I loved being a Paratrooper/Jumpmaster/Pathfinder. I also ended up doing 11B stuff for 2 deployments as well as 13B stuff. The majority of people you will work with are better quality than you will find in “normal” LEG units.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thanks for the comment sir, I didn't even know about airborne or RASP prior to basic :D, that seems to be a big one when people talk about airborne units.
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CW3 (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) Just remember that RASP is only an option for certain MOSs. When I graduated Airborne School I tried to go to RASP. However, they only take 13F, not 13B. You have to have the job they need. Do your research. You are your best Career Manager.
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Being Airborne isnt just an assignment, theres an attitude that goes with it. I li e jumping out of planes. Is it more demanding of your body? Sure, but who cares? I've met retired guys with over 100 static line jumps, they may shuffle when they walk but they are still badasses, and are down to drink and fight alongside their younger Airborne counter parts at the drop of a hat. Just be ready to set your commo hear up in the woodline a lot, but you'll get to test some cool stuff too. Good luck
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SPC (Join to see)
Seems like that's common from what I hear, the attitude in Soldiers is completely different. It's quite annoying hearing a lot of my battle's complaining when we have an actual challenging PT session. Thanks MSG, I think that'd be a community I'd fit along great in!
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SGT Debra Jahnel
SPC (Join to see) Talk to some older guys directly before you make your decision - at the VA I can tell the ones who were airborne, just by the grimaces when they walk, stand, sit - the pain is always there, not just the shuffle. As an older recruit, my age peers were E6's & above, most airborne of some ilk or other. Even while serving out their careers, they had to fight damage done to knees, backs, hips. Good luck (jumping is fun!)
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SGT Jmajik Jmann
SGT Jahnel: Yes. I have constant pain in my knees--back--feet yet, I hope this doesn't deter the PFC from going to Jump School. The attitude is a marker that only Airborne--Air Assault--Recon and other soldiers can recognize yet overall, I think he'll do just fine.....The pain comes between ages 45 to 60......I'm 57 and worked at the VA for 24 years after I ETSd in 1992 after Desert Storm and I've seen a lot worse than just pain in my knees---back & feet....(KNEES IN THE BREEZE)....
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