What are your opinions about going to airborne school at age 38 if it is offered?

2017-08-26T11:10:33-04:00

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 11:17 AM

2017-08-26T11:17:48-04:00

Do it. It's awesome.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Aug 26 at 2017 12:05 PM

2017-08-26T12:05:32-04:00

Go for it.

Response by PO1 Rudy Lopez made Aug 26 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-08-26T12:34:13-04:00

You'll be a 38 year old private in bootcamp again. But, for $150 extra a month for a revisit of 3 weeks of bootcamp . . . . it's a fair trade.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 2:53 PM

2017-08-26T14:53:42-04:00

It will be the best 3 weeks of your life! I'd go again if I had the opportunity.

Response by MAJ Tex Hall made Aug 26 at 2017 2:54 PM

2017-08-26T14:54:15-04:00

Stand ... in the door! (Although I don't think that's said anymore, haha) Never turn down a Military school that you can get into, and Airborne is a blast! With those new chutes even my old beat up carcass would survive the landing. I'm not so sure that I want to hang in the air that long, though ;).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 3:39 PM

2017-08-26T15:39:30-04:00

Its too easy. Go for it!

Response by SSG Ray Murphy made Aug 26 at 2017 4:17 PM

2017-08-26T16:17:57-04:00

Go for it, as long as you are physically fit, you'll do fine. Might even enjoy it more as you may be more mature and have more realistic expectations. Our oldest guy in my class was an AF LTC in his early 40's (class leader) and our youngest was a 17 year old split option (wing bearer).

Response by SSG Carlos Garcia made Aug 26 at 2017 5:13 PM

2017-08-26T17:13:28-04:00

I strongly believe if you have the muster to make it. Then is a "Go'. I remember while in active duty when I met this 40 year old E-4 soldier going through "Rock Phase" at Ranger School and he had a go.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Aug 26 at 2017 5:34 PM

2017-08-26T17:34:22-04:00

Why not?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 5:38 PM

2017-08-26T17:38:11-04:00

Go for it Sir

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Aug 26 at 2017 5:40 PM

2017-08-26T17:40:39-04:00

Do it, the pain the old bones will feel will be worth it for the understanding of "blind faith" you will receive in the slip stream.

Response by MAJ Tom Hutton made Aug 26 at 2017 5:58 PM

2017-08-26T17:58:43-04:00

Green light from me!

Response by SPC Rob Culver made Aug 26 at 2017 8:38 PM

2017-08-26T20:38:37-04:00

Sir, 18, 28, 38, 48 it's all mind over matter if you are hard charging 38 is only a number.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Aug 26 at 2017 9:04 PM

2017-08-26T21:04:02-04:00

Hell Sir, I am 57 and I would go again in a heartbeat :) you will be grandpa among sea of toddlers. Have fun I know I would :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2017 7:05 AM

2017-08-27T07:05:07-04:00

In all honesty, the impact of the ground isn't that bad. I've been the last jumper out of the door, and still beat everyone to the ground (to give you an idea of how fast I descend), and I've never been injured on a Jump. As long as you focus on the fundamentals of the Parachute Landing Fall (PLF), and employ them EVERY time, regardless of what other people do (I've had others advise me to do some crazy stuff), you will reduce your chances of injury.

If I remember correctly Ground Week was the most painful, because practicing the PLF off of the small platform, as well as the Swing Landing Trainer, took a toll on all of my points of contact. Even at 20 years old, I rented a hotel room to get out of the barracks and just layed in bed whining to myself, lol.

Either way, its worth going if the opportunity comes up. As I'm getting older, I'm actually now also considering trying to get back to some schools I didn't do when I was younger.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Aug 27 at 2017 10:26 AM

2017-08-27T10:26:30-04:00

Jump. Never turn down a "bling" school while on active duty. Hell, if they offered me now at 49, and less than 3 years to MRD, I'd probably do it. Of course, i would have to find a way to make it look "mandatory", 'cuz my wife was unhappy enough with my civilian jumping.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 27 at 2017 12:09 PM

2017-08-27T12:09:17-04:00

Do it. Age is not a hindering factor. I went to Air Assault at 35.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2017 5:24 PM

2017-08-27T17:24:19-04:00

I went through when I was 32. No big deal, just be ready to deal with some shananigans every now and again.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 27 at 2017 6:26 PM

2017-08-27T18:26:41-04:00

Just depends....
Can you accept you will not be in charge even when your the student leader?
Can you accept things will not go how you think they should, how it was supposed to go, what you were told "was" going to happen?
Are you in shape enough that constant physical work daily for three weeks will not cause you injury or mental distraction?

If you can hang physically, can do what your told NOW, not what was told minutes ago.. but now without letting it get to you...... sure why not.

Response by SGT Chris Hotchkiss made Aug 27 at 2017 9:41 PM

2017-08-27T21:41:54-04:00

Proper PLF and you're good to go. enjoy the views and have a blast. oh, and ask for blood wings.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2017 1:26 AM

2017-08-28T01:26:37-04:00

One of my peers went through Ranger School just before Squadron Command. He was 40ish. Airborne School should not be an issue.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2017 1:30 AM

2017-08-28T01:30:13-04:00

If you are healthy and in decent shape why not.

Response by Cpl John Barker made Aug 28 at 2017 4:10 AM

2017-08-28T04:10:51-04:00

Kurtz from Apocalypse Now was 38 when he transferred to SF. Go for it, worst thing they can do is say no. All of my SF buddies say its more about your attitude than your physical ability, if they see something in you and you don't quit, you'll get that green beret.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2017 9:02 AM

2017-08-28T09:02:50-04:00

Once you get past the mindless "boot camp-style" nonsense it's not terrible. The first two weeks I felt like I had just played a game of football. Bruised and sore. The Army spends two weeks teaching you how to fall down and it gets pretty freakin old. But, jumping out of the airplane was absolutely awesome. Would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Response by CH (MAJ) Luke Phillips made Aug 28 at 2017 11:57 AM

2017-08-28T11:57:30-04:00

Do it!!!!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2017 1:08 PM

2017-08-29T13:08:44-04:00

The only people who get the opportunity is the new guys who come in the majority of the time. You should do it

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2017 3:20 PM

2017-08-29T15:20:22-04:00

I went as a SFC in October last year and it will be a piece of cake for you sir depending on the company. But you will be put in a hotel, they had recall formations just cause people were messing up and getting in trouble (not lower enlisted either). But when it came to the training and instructors it was more a gentlemans course for NCO's and Officers they addressed us by rank or Airborne and respected us even going so far as asking us to help keep the lower enlisted in line by having NCO's in leadership positions. I went with a Major and even a CSM in my class and we all graduated, it was fun.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Aug 29 at 2017 4:13 PM

2017-08-29T16:13:19-04:00

I wouldn't do it. I heard jumping out of planes is scary.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2017 8:15 PM

2017-08-30T20:15:30-04:00

When I took my platoon as a new 2LT, the guy I replaced was 42 and had gone through Ranger School a year earlier. If he could earn his tab at that ripe old age airborne school should be a breeze for you!

Response by COL Teddy Bitner made Sep 3 at 2017 11:01 PM

2017-09-03T23:01:35-04:00

I went to air assault school at 40 and jumpmaster school at 41 . . . but always was a late bloomer. If you're in good shape, go for it!

Response by 1SG Alex Larson made Sep 4 at 2017 10:23 PM

2017-09-04T22:23:34-04:00

If you're not going to an Airborne unit, leave the slot to someone who is, of may be going on jump status. See the big picture.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Sep 5 at 2017 12:29 AM

2017-09-05T00:29:24-04:00

Take it, CPT Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made Sep 12 at 2017 8:17 PM

2017-09-12T20:17:58-04:00

3 weeks learning how to fall correctly for an extra $100 and increased chance of getting injured? Fuck it, you got Tricare.

Response by MSG Scott Swank made Sep 13 at 2017 9:37 AM

2017-09-13T09:37:34-04:00

Age should never matter as far as schools go. As long as the Soldier can make the standards they should be allowed to go to any Army school!

Response by SFC Steve M. made Sep 27 at 2017 8:58 PM

2017-09-27T20:58:43-04:00

Do it!!!!

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Sep 27 at 2017 9:06 PM

2017-09-27T21:06:13-04:00

For an Officer, it's a good career enhancer. For an Enlisted soldier at 38...I would say, if you don't have to, I wouldn't. You have to think beyond the military and think of your health...bad knees and joints is NOT fun.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2017 8:32 AM

2017-10-16T08:32:43-04:00

I did it at 33 with no problems. Its mind over matter, if you dont mind, it dont matter. Make sure you have a stockpile of 800mg motrin

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2017 11:07 PM

2017-11-19T23:07:23-05:00

Stock up on 800mg motrin

Response by SFC James Welch made Aug 20 at 2018 1:48 PM

2018-08-20T13:48:04-04:00

Think knees, hips and back

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 19 at 2021 6:05 PM

2021-06-19T18:05:44-04:00

Well, CPT Private RallyPoint Member, this discussion thread that you started is almost four years old! Was jump school offered to you? Did you go? Inquiring minds want to know!