Posted on Jul 18, 2015
What do you think when you see a Soldier with Airborne wings?
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I once had a commander say, "I always know I can trust a paratrooper, he volunteered twice to get here. Once to join, and then a second time to jump".
What do you think when you see a pair of Airborne wing on a Soldier? Is it a mark of someone who goes the extra mile? Or just some additional flair?
What do you think when you see a pair of Airborne wing on a Soldier? Is it a mark of someone who goes the extra mile? Or just some additional flair?
Airborne School
Paratrooper
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 109
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I would not have joined the Army without Airborne School in my contract. I fought and fought as a civilian to get it. I got it and did it. I wanted to be a paratrooper in the 82nd, it's the whole reason I joined the Army. It's a brotherhood and a special group.
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Rick Wiseman
Sir, I actually served in one of 5 AIRBORNE Military Police Units in the world. It's more than just graduating Jump School... For us it was a lifestyle! AIRBORNE, ALL THE WAY!!!!
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LTC (Join to see)
Rick Wiseman the wings alone do not mean that they are in an airborne unit like the maroon beret does not mean that that individual Soldier is a paratrooper. I am sure that the Rangers feel the same as you do with the way of life, but not everyone who is wearing a Ranger tab is in the 75th.
I am currently in an Airborne unit so I get where you are coming from, just coming from the point of view that I was never in the Airborne before and just did 5 jumps during the school while I was in ROTC. So the wings did not mean I was going to be called to go to war by jumping into the battlefield at that time. It was something I was and I still am proud to have done and set me apart from others, but I do not think of myself as being full of myself because of it.
I am currently in an Airborne unit so I get where you are coming from, just coming from the point of view that I was never in the Airborne before and just did 5 jumps during the school while I was in ROTC. So the wings did not mean I was going to be called to go to war by jumping into the battlefield at that time. It was something I was and I still am proud to have done and set me apart from others, but I do not think of myself as being full of myself because of it.
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We should all strive to be as well trained as possible ready to succeed in any mission; airborne, air assault, CBR, maintenance, HR, finance - it all makes us better leaders, soldiers, and citizens.
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SGT Carl Blas
LTC Stephen C. - I still have mine too, beat to hell, it went threw about 6 typhoons. My student number was 562, how about yours? I see you were 4th. student battalion too, were you also 47th company?
I remember the WWI barracks, the wooden stairs made a thumping noise when you walked on them, and the cans were all inline with no partitions between them, it was easy to pass the toilet paper. Lol
I remember the WWI barracks, the wooden stairs made a thumping noise when you walked on them, and the cans were all inline with no partitions between them, it was easy to pass the toilet paper. Lol
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LTC Stephen C.
SGT Carl Blas, I’m pretty sure we’ve talked about this before, but I was in 47th Company! I'm proud to say that airborne legend COL Lamar "Bill" Asbury Welch was the Director of the Airborne Department during my airborne training period. Class 32 training commenced on 23MAR70 and ended on 9APR70, with hazardous duty orders effective 23MAR70. I was #581.
Take a look at the photo of the company commander. He’s wearing an enlisted garrison cap, with an enlisted glider patch sewn on the officer side so the glider is flying backwards! This was in the graduation book! What an IDIOT! My Class B photo was taken in the 47th Company area before we got on the bus to Fort Bragg.
Take a look at the photo of the company commander. He’s wearing an enlisted garrison cap, with an enlisted glider patch sewn on the officer side so the glider is flying backwards! This was in the graduation book! What an IDIOT! My Class B photo was taken in the 47th Company area before we got on the bus to Fort Bragg.
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SGT Carl Blas
LTC Stephen C. - Yes Sir, now I remember we did have this conversation, sorry, I'm old and tend to forget. Lol
"Good body, broken chassis"
"Good body, broken chassis"
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Braver than I am to want to jump from planes. It doesn't matter which branch or specialty we have each person who served or are serving are brave to sign up to into a fight and sacrifice for our country, family and friends. I hold all in high esteem.
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If you go to Airborne school and serve in an Airborne unit it is not just additional flair. It is an accomplishment to be proud of. Let's face it, not everyone will jump out of an airplane with 100 lbs plus of gear. The men I served with in the Airborne were some very motivated men that always gave their best and never want to lose at anything. I still keep in touch with those men even after getting out of the military. Airborne All The Way!
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Such an honor. All 3 of my sons are in the Army. My oldest recently received his wings. We are so proud of him. A great achievement.
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'There is a paratrooper' All the Way ! .... it is a fundamental part of a being a Soldier, to have that kind of pride, discipline, and confidence, that comes from the feeling of cadences, Soldiering, and esprit de corps always resonating in our professional consciousness. "Eighty Second patch on my shoulder...."
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MSG (Join to see)
Thank you sir, pride, discipline and confidence does that follow you into civi life, or does it just fade away, I have seen an 82nd master jumper in civi life, who is several years younger than myself, never in combat, spend more time in prison than out after his ETS, I know it's not uncommon in any branch, being proud of your training is one thing, but thinking your better because of your training, schools out convince me
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The wings don't make the Soldier. The Soldier makes the wings. But then, I have never had the inclination to jump out of an aircraft that has the capability of landing. But honestly, Id be more impressed with someone who has a mustard stain on their wings.
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CW3 (Join to see)
While a set of wings can be earned by just going to Airborne School, volunteering to go to an Airborne assigned is different. Everything in the 82nd revolves around the ABN mission because after you land, all you have is the stuff you brought with you, and the people who landed around you. Going further, to see a “star” or “wreath” on those wings shows an individual who has gone through a very demanding course and accepts then responsibility of the lives assigned to them on their aircraft. That is why you will see Jumpmasters hold their heads a little bit higher. All leaders are (or were when I was there for a decade) expected and required to go to Jumpmaster School. Lead from the front, take care of your Paratroopers, because when you land they are all you have.
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I have lots of respect for anyone who willingly jumps out of a perfectly good airplane. It takes lots of guys.
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LTC Stephen C.
SSG Marc Wagner, my first jump (and many others), was from a C-119, which may well have been one of the most underpowered aircraft in history! Jumping a C-130 was a joy compared to jumping the C-119!
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SGT Carl Blas
LTC Stephen C. - Yes Sir, my qualifying jumps were all in a C-119. I remember the Jump Master said it was, "Shake Rattle and Roll." But it was for me, better then jumping out of a UH1.
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