What are the odds of losing my orders if I refuse Airborne School?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 23:44:04 -0500

I'm going to 16th MP BDE and am wondering if I'll lose my orders if I refuse airborne school. I'm a rather frail person because i have scoliosis...which i pretty sure denies me from airborne school to begin with.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 12:13 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:13:00 -0500

Again, you may very well not go to an Airborne unit. Even then, if you do end up in an Airborne unit, but not already Airborne qualified, you could end up getting moved to a Leg unit when you flunk the Airborne physical. Try not to worry about things that have yet to pass or things that may not even come about.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 10 at 2020 12:14 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:14:49 -0500

Hmmm...let me think about that for a second. Very high!

For God’s sake, it’s an airborne unit. Now, the unit is not in jump status on its entirely so if you’re proactive you might keep your assignment. Contact your branch assignment POC or perhaps the brigade S1, see what they have to say.

Now, what about that spine? What have the doctor’s told you?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 12:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:18:58 -0500

You might be reassigned totally or to a company that is not on jump status if any exists in that BDE. 2 soldiers who were not airborne qualified joined us some months ago, One E5 who volunteered for airborne and PCS’d from Germany here and one E2 fresh from AIT who said he mysteriously found himself here in 82nd 1BCT lol. 1SG sent them their way to airborne school the following month and they have been back with their wings. Airborne units don’t like holding on to non-airborne soldiers for too long especially those who just don’t want to go to jump school and have no valid reason, I have seen a few who are not airborne qualified in airborne unit, like 2 out of 30 and they shake our chutes here.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 1:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 01:09:33 -0500

Only your branch manager can tell you that. They might send you to the same unit, or a different unit on the same post, or to Korea. No one here can tell you what the priorities are for your branch manager to slot right now, and anything anyone says about what the odds are of your assignment is complete conjecture.

Lots of people with scoliosis have gone through airborne and even Ranger school. If you're medically qualified to be in the Army you're probably qualified to pass Airborne School

Response by SFC Marcus Lewis made Dec 10 at 2020 4:42 AM

SFC Marcus Lewis — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 04:42:25 -0500

If it is TDY Enroute you will probably go “Needs of the Army” if you refuse the school or fail it. As for when you get to unit I remember I got to Bragg as a SPC & myself & a SSG walked in to see the CSM for initial brief to the unit. All he really said was you ready to jump I was like “get me manifested & lets go.” The SSG was like ya about that CSM I don't want to do that. CSM said alright no problem dont unpack your f***ing bags your out of my Battalion & going to “Leg Land” down the street.

“WELCOME TO FT BRAGG SPC LEWIS”

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 7:55 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 07:55:45 -0500

I’d be very careful with the medical approach. If you don’t want to go to ABN school, be honest, use some personal courage and refuse to volunteer for a volunteer school. The rest will work itself out.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 9:05 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 09:05:31 -0500

If THEY deny you entry into Airborne then you’ll end up a lot better than of YOU refuse to go.
At the end of the day... “Needs of the Army”

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 11:33 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:33:30 -0500

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2020 9:13 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 09:13:50 -0500

You you completed your physical. Scoliosis should pop up and you and the doc should at least talk about it.