Should I try and go Airborne?

2019-07-27T06:23:42-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 8:32 AM

2019-07-27T08:32:04-04:00

Being your young and ambitious, you should attempt it. As for units being more relaxed than Kuwait, find that hard to believe. Depends on what unit you get with, FORSCOM units have a high optempo.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 9:11 AM

2019-07-27T09:11:14-04:00

Hell yeah you should. I went airborne after ait and was for the next 6 years. Unfortunately I came down on non airborne orders but doing all I can to get back to an airborne assignment after my current one.

Dont worry/think about if some units are bad or not, every unit has its pluses and minuses. I've been in a few different battalions in the 82nd as well as in usasoc units. They have all had good and bad aspects, but loved jumping.

It's also one more thing to set yourself apart from peers later in your career.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 9:31 AM

2019-07-27T09:31:15-04:00

If you want to be challenged by being in a unit where excelling in things like PT and marksmanship is the norm rather than the exception, go Airborne. It's hard to describe until you experience it, but Airborne units have an expectation of excellence that carries through everything. There is a unique espirit de corps that I never found in nonairborne units. It's tied to the mindset of Airborne soldiers themselves rather than any equipment or weapon. You may see a tanker who will be confident in battle because we have the best tank, or something like that. But with paratroopers it's like, "well, maybe all I've got left is this knife, but I'm airborne and you're not, so I'm going to kick your ass anyway.

Serving with fellow soldiers with that attitude is a pleasure. A version of this poster was around back in the barracks in my day. It sums up the attitude I'm talking about. Go Airborne. You won't regret it. And you can always take a pass and go to the beach if you need to relax. :)

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 9:50 AM

2019-07-27T09:50:34-04:00

I just graduated Airborne school yesterday and had a blast. However, do yourself a favor and try not to go in the summer time.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 10:01 AM

2019-07-27T10:01:00-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 27 at 2019 10:58 AM

2019-07-27T10:58:20-04:00

Italy with the 173rd and Alaska with 4/25 are OCONUS, while the 82nd is a good possibility, so are the other 2.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 11:16 AM

2019-07-27T11:16:08-04:00

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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 11:43 AM

2019-07-27T11:43:49-04:00

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

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jul 27 at 2019 11:51 AM

2019-07-27T11:51:34-04:00

My first job in the military was airborne infantry, 11B2P, and it was the best job in the world. It is riskier, but the rewards are worth it.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jul 27 at 2019 2:13 PM

2019-07-27T14:13:14-04:00

I'll make it simple. Go Airborne, you won't regret it. It will open up more doors if you decide to reenlist.

Response by SGT Mike Bemis made Jul 27 at 2019 2:20 PM

2019-07-27T14:20:01-04:00

Airborne school was easily one of the best experiences I had while in the service. I enjoyed being in Airborne units, especially as an NCO because the attitude was a bit different. In my experience soldiers had less micromanagement as they tended to be more self motivated/starting.
As far as health goes, you are correct. My back and knees are hurting regularly and I've lost over an inch of height. I got hurt pretty bad on my last one, which ended my career and that was fairly common jumping with the T-10D. I couldn't tell you about the current chutes but I've heard they're a bit nicer.

That being said I wouldn't think twice about doing it again if I could go back in time, it was worth it to me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 5:54 PM

2019-07-27T17:54:49-04:00

Go to airborne. 42 pushups and keep your feet and knees together. I came from a heavy mech unit prior to being Airborne, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. AATW

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jul 27 at 2019 8:16 PM

2019-07-27T20:16:30-04:00

You damn skippy you should go airborne. I was an SF baby way back in 1979 and do not regret it one bit. In fact, being awarded a master parachutists badge was one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. All that said you will never know until you try. It has been my experience that a ton of vets will give about a million excuses why they didn’t go airborne. I see regret in everyone of their eyes. Being airborne is like being a virgin, you either are or you aren’t.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 11:17 PM

2019-07-27T23:17:02-04:00

YES.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2019 8:48 AM

2019-07-28T08:48:33-04:00

Yes and if you don’t right out of basic, you need to try later.

Response by LTC Peter Hartman made Jul 28 at 2019 9:23 AM

2019-07-28T09:23:29-04:00

You should do it. It will make units otherwise unavailable open to you. And as others have said it helps with promotion. Airborne status pushed me over the points needed to make sergeant.

Response by SGT Jmajik Jmann made Sep 15 at 2019 6:49 PM

2019-09-15T18:49:03-04:00

PFC: Don't worry about your health at this point. You're still young and your muscles still have more endurable capabilities than you probably know right now. I enlisted age 17 in 1980 and went to Jump School; then Korea; to Bragg and then Campbell for Air assault School; back to Bragg; then Germany. I was stationed with the 2nd ID-- 82nd--101st--3rd SF Group(TDY)--24th ID and cross-trained with a lot of different units, some Special Ops units; partly because I was 11B then 11C and Air Assault and Airborne qualified but mainly because of the mental and physical challenges I was faced with and had to overcome, not because of competition or envy of my peers but, because of my own self-confidence and pushing myself past the limitations of the mind. So it's worth the shot for you to go and some duty stations are not as relaxed as you've been told however, that was when I was in, in the 1980s and 1990s thus, I'm sure a lot has changed since I've been out but, believe in yourself and challenge yourself for Jump School and GO!!! You can go farther once you complete Jump School because regardless how much advice I or any other Paratrooper may/may not give you; IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU and YOU only!!!! You will do just fine...

Response by SGT Rock Termini made Sep 26 at 2019 8:57 AM

2019-09-26T08:57:32-04:00

The 173rd is a great unit! I say that having spent some time with it. My perspective may be "older" than yours - I'm 75. Perhaps any duty station in the army will educate you from a wandering Teen into someone to rely on. I was sent to Okinawa after jump school in August '64, back when you went overseas in a troop transport. If you know the history of the 173rd, we were first in Nam, TDY'd in May 65 (Westmoreland's request for an Airborne unit), renewed twice and then a PCS. I stayed there till my ETS (did a 6 month extension, and then a second one) so returned in December. Literally arrived back at Buffalo airport Christmas morning '66. Did I suffer some health issues then and now? Yes. Some Agent Orange issues, hearing loss, lower disk problems, and it's hard to spend 20 months straight in combat without PTSD. Would I do it again - in an eye blink.

Military and especially Airborne, or Ranger, or SF, or any unit that demands more teaches you more. Not just what you learn about the job, but what you learn about yourself. I've had a great life and never let lack of "credentials" from the establishment stop me from trying and generally succeeding in what I wanted to do. Made Buck SGT in 2, and they offered me the first rocker if I would re-enlist, but it was time for me to get to a different mission. In civilian life, I'm a scientist who always seems too flip the picture upside down and show clients and agencies another way to see the problem, usually with a simpler solution.

Response by PV2 Bob Ondown made Oct 3 at 2019 9:29 AM

2019-10-03T09:29:50-04:00

The question is,... do you regret being a leg?

Response by A1C Sarahlynn Bower made Oct 10 at 2019 2:31 AM

2019-10-10T02:31:46-04:00

If your mind thinks it can be a good addition to your skill set and your heart says do it..
The go for it.
There will be opportunities which you will miss if you do not.

Response by CW3 Thomas Gluzinski made Oct 10 at 2019 9:51 PM

2019-10-10T21:51:03-04:00

From my perspective, airborne qualification is the first real test of a warrior. That comment is not meant to disparage those that don't go airborne. But going airborne requires a true warrior mentality. That mentality is not germane to non-airborne personnel or units. You signed up for the military. You took a risk and knew the potential threats to life, limb and mental health. Remember this... winners never quit and quitters never win. That is the beginning of your challenge. If you aspire to be a warrior, then I suggest that you make the effort to reach for the sky. Your brotherhood will have similar ideals, mental and physical drive. Andi if it doesn't work for you you are still a better soldier for having taken the effort to step forward. After airborne, if you really want to challenge yourself go to Ranger school and learn the very important skills of infantry combat in a team environment. That would be your second challenge. Finally, If you really want to reach for the stars, not just the sky or a challenge beyond the norm, go to SFAS and try to be an SF soldier. From my perspective any of these challenges make a soldier well grounded, matured and centered. But if you go SF, are selected and placed on a team you will meet a challenge and lifestyle achieved by only the very best the Army has to offer. Assignments are not nearly as important as achieving high success in any environment. The best place in the army to constantly be challenged to achieve at the highest levels and standards starts with Airborne school and culminates at the level you are comfortable achieving. Drive on!

CW3(R), 180A Special Forces Warrant Officer

Response by LTC Jonathan Defalco made Oct 14 at 2019 8:19 AM

2019-10-14T08:19:30-04:00

I spent a good number of years falling out of planes for the Army and even with all of the 'afteraffects' I would not change a thing. Having some ups and downs like all careers in the military, the primary force behind your success or failure is you...bottom line. Whether in an Airborne unit or some backwater leg outfit, you are what is going to make the time worthwhile. That all that said, go Airborne. If you manage to go to Bragg you have some interesting choices. Starting with the 82nd Division, lots of places need a quality 25-dude to keep the networks running. That will likely be a BCT. Time well spent, hard work, high expectations. If you can start off with a PCS to Bragg, try to find a way to get into the 112th Sig. Supporting Special Operations is a whole different realm. You will deploy...alot. Consider that. You will also work cutting edge technology, TTP, and work with the best communicators in the business. Time in the 112th will also open up some doors that few get to walk through: Joint Communications Unit (JSOC JCU); selection to the Comm Squadron with 1st SFOD-D; JCSE and of course working in the Ranger Regiment (Benning, Lewis, Savannah GA). At Bragg there is also working with Special Forces Groups (Campbell and Lewis as well), SF Command and US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). At Campbell there is also the 160thSOAR who will open your eyes to a whole different realm in comms.
There are many regular units out there that also have high standards and expectations and being in an Airborne or SOF unit does NOT guarantee faster promotion. It DOES seem to guarantee more opportunities to excel, get better and more schooling/training, and have a different perspective in which to serve. In the end, after a long and rewarding career you get to look back, hammer some beers with some ol' farts like me who walk with a little limp and can still do 50 pushups in a minute (with lots of Motrin)

Response by SGT Sean Moore made Oct 20 at 2019 11:47 PM

2019-10-20T23:47:10-04:00

Go Airborne. Listen to your heart. If it’s something you want to do... don’t over think it, just do it. In you’re later years it’s a lot more gratifying to say “I did that” rather than “I wish I would have done that.”

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2019 11:33 AM

2019-11-03T11:33:46-05:00

Hello, I would have definitely went Airborne if I had the opportunity when I served. One thing I would say is to make sure you document any injuries you sustain while at Ft. Brag. What I mean by document is go to the doctor so you have evidence of your injuries in your medical records. One day we all must leave the service and when we do we want to be properly compensated for our injuries.

Response by SPC Randell Pendley made Jan 3 at 2020 12:21 PM

2020-01-03T12:21:24-05:00

Well I'm probably not the best one to ask. Because on my second Jump I had an entanglement with another Jumper. Witch when General Westmoreland came to see me. He said it was a one in a million for the accident to happen. And also one in a million to live through it. But as far as the 1st Jump went. It was very exciting and fun. And the first time I ever rode an airplane was 2 days before my 2 jumps coming back from leave to Jump school. I stayed from Nov 29 1977 to May 5 1978 in Martin Army Hospital ward B6. But if I were you. I would go for it. Jump School was nothing compared to Basic and Infantry School. You have 3 weeks. 1st is ground week. Where you learn Plf's. Parachute Landing falls. And jump from 34 foot towers. Then the 3ed week is where you have to get in your 5 jumps to earn your wings. If I were you. I would go for it. The way I looked at it. Was if you want to go to any special forces you have to be Jump qualified. And if I wasn't going Special Forces. I probably wouldn't. Another thing about Jump School is your there with all branches of service. Because that's the only Jump School for all branches of service. But good luck with whatever you decide to do. And be careful. That's what the Hazardous Duty pay is for. Hope it's more than $55.00 extra a Month.