Posted on Jul 18, 2015
CPT Christopher F.
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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?
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Responses: 109
Capt Bob Abbott
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That they have bad knees
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SFC Francisco Rosario
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I see a brother or sister who have gone in the same path i went
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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With Airborne Wings, Much like the Bronze Star, the devil is in the details. With the Bronze Star, I look for a V device. Without it, it's just a glorified AAM. With Airborne Wings, I look for a gold star. Without it, it's just a wearable school certificate...
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SGT Lou Meza
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Colonel William C Mayville commanding officer of the 173rd Airborne Brigade once said ‘ each one of these paratroopers is the equivalent to 10 to 15 normal human beings . ‘ What else is there to say ?
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SGT Lou Meza
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I see a soldier just like me who went the extra mile just like me and earned the right to be admitted into the ‘ Brotherhood Of The Silk ‘ .
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SPC Brent Melton
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That they've completed a bunch of stateside training...unless they have the mustard stain.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
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What I see is that we have a common experience. It is often the start of a 6-pack conversation.
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MSG John Duchesneau
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I think he went jump school.
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
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It's a qualification, just like any other one. Personally, I think Airborne is outdated. Everyone volunteers more than once in the Army, you join, you volunteer to take on responsibility and be an NCO, you volunteer to go to AASLT, EOLC, RSLC, any school besides NCOPDS. It doesn't make anyone better because they participate in an outdated tactic that has been used once conventionally in the past 30 years - into a secure DZ at that.
Plus there's the obscene amount of soldiers that get their 5 jumps and literally never jump again, why did we bother sending them to the school if they are put into a mechanized unit, or that MOS would never jump in an invasion. We waste tons of money on that, but can't send Scouts to RSLC because the unit doesn't have money?
Then there's the brainwashing where the Airborne believes they're automatically better than everyone. You've got an 85% death expectancy upon entry to combat, yet they are told that they're better and everyone else are "legs". Well those "legs" will certainly be your best friend when that 120mm smoothbore saves their ass in downtown "insert next war capitol city here".
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SFC Retired
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Hey there SFC! Isn't that a bit harsh? It kind of sounds like you feel that 99% of the airbourne troops are worthless - I'm sure that's not what you meant, right?
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
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SFC (Join to see) you must have read into my post. I said the TACTIC is outdated, not the troops themselves. And there is definite brainwashing to make the Airborne believe they are better. No troops are better than others. No one is more useful. They are just different.

The Army doesnt like honesty, I'm just giving a taste of it.
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SFC Retired
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Not quite sure what the issue is here SFC - My respect to you, even if I have no idea what you mean about the Army hating honesty - that's news to me. If you take the time to read any of my other comments, I actually AGREE that we are all equally important to the mission. Warriors forever! Thank you for your service.
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
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SFC (Join to see) I simply replied to your comment. There is no issue, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
The army hates honesty, try telling the 82nd how outdated Airborne is, they take it as if you're attacking their religion. Talk to the Infantry about them actually being the least specialized type of soldier there is, again, they take it personally (generally speaking).

The post is about if being airborne brings anything extra with it, besides the pay, I say no. It should be treated like any other course but because of 27493847 movies, it is still held in this high regard. The airborne has way less of a place these days than the armor does, but we all love to rip on the tankers...and big army treats the airborne like its special.
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LTC John Griscom
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Saw a colonel interrupt and argument between two soldiers debating airborne vs air assault. His comment was that why brag about the way you to get to work on the ground as Infantry.
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