Should I try and go Airborne?

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

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.

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

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.