What do you think when you see a Soldier with Airborne wings?

It depends on the circumstances. If it’s a jump unit, then they should have them. If the soldier had come from a jump unit, that’s fine. If they went to jump school just to go to jump school without the intent of going to a jump unit at some point, then I question why they did it.

Rangers lead the way!!!! Airborne is just a stop on the way!

I remained in Airborne & S.F. Units for 'most-all of my military career, because I wanted the guy watching my back to be of the highest quality. We have all seen the guy who will sleep on his watch or violate light discipline with a cigarette, and those kind of actions will get him (and his comrades) killed. Artillery is a "to Whom it may Concern" Weapon. Those people will not remain for long in an Elite Unit (Airborne, SF, Ranger, Pathfinder, Marine, SEAL, ParaRescue, etc).

Paratroopers are full of themselves, but rightfully so. I spent nearly 10 years in various Airborne units, and I spent the rest of my career in non-Airborne units. Paratroopers hold themselves to a higher standard in all things than the non-Airborne soldiers. It's just a fact, and they have a higher overall esprit de corps, as well as a higher willingness to close with and destroy the enemy. You don't have to like it, but you can put the average Paratrooper side by side with the average grunt, and there's no comparison.

I was assigned to airborne unit right after jump school. I am proud of being airborne. After 5 years in airborne units I decided to go to flight school. I flew UH-1s for the next 19 years. I am even more proud of being an aviator. I think we are all proud of what we have worked very hard to achieve. So, when I see a paratrooper badge or any other qualification badge which sets one apart from the other million, I think, there is a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, that wanted to achieve something more.

I think the Soldier had both the courage and strength to step out of a perfectly good airplane. I am proud I flew over 25 personnel drops and never put a trooper in the trees or water.
If I see an enlisted airman with jump wings I think he or she is either prior service, pararescue, or TACP. AF officers with jump wings are usually AF Academy grads.

I was fortunate enough to go straight to the 82nd right out of jump school, and it's the only unit I've known so far. From "legs" that I've befriended and spoken to since enlisting, we're known as crazy people willing to do what the majority of others won't. For me, seeing jump wings isn't enough. There are too many schmucks out there who sucked it up enough to become a 5-jump-chump and brag to everyone about how they're Airborne and call everyone else they see a dirty nasty leg. If I see an 82nd patch or a 173rd patch on their sleeve, you can rest assured that I'll think of them as a brother or sister.

Yes I think they are a cut above. But there’s a big difference in doing 5 jumps in airborne school and jumping month in and month out in an Airborne Unit. Then there’s jumpmaster school. It always bugged me when NCOs and officers with several years in an Airborne unit never wanted to go to jumpmaster school. Jumpmaster is a technical/leadership school that separates regular paratroopers from elites.

I have a lot of respect. They went the extra mile. Once that is in your record you can get a call to go.

There is a difference between a person that just went to Airborne school and a person that has served in an airborne unit. As a career Paratrooper I know the difference from 82nd, to 173rd and SF. There is a special pride and bond that the rest of the military do not understand. Not just from drinking all night and running 7 miles in the morning but going above and beyond in everything. ALL THE WAY, SKY SOLDIER, DE OPPRESSO LIBER.