Posted on Feb 6, 2014
SGT Intelligence Analyst
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I am not Airborne yet and I know if there is anyway besides being SF people will say you need that first, soo I want good answers not people trying to be trailblazers thanks!
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1SG First Sergeant
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There are very few roads that lead to HALO school. You have already mentioned SF, and there are only a few other options.

Certain elements within Ranger Regiment have the option, being a parachute rigger for a SOF unit, or go to a SMU.

Unfortunately with your MOS, HALO may be out of reach unless you go to selection or Regiment.
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PO1 Rudy Lopez
PO1 Rudy Lopez
10 y
*Scuba* school is no big deal, anyone can go there; even for atta boy purposes. Just as long as it is not the Marine Combatant Dive (MCD) School in Panama City, FL or the SF Dive School down in Key West. Both of those are off limits to everyone unless they are ascension'd into a special program (i.e. Marine Recon or Special Forces). I am a MCD Graduate.
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PO1 Rudy Lopez
PO1 Rudy Lopez
10 y
SFC Gates,

I have seen some of those as well on the Marine Corps side; very few.  If they are not riggers with MFF qual's on the Marine Corps side then they are part of the "Air Delivery" crew whos function is to air drop supplies/equipment. SOME of them have been afforded HALO school, again, very few, but most if not all are airborne. I have only ran across 3 MFF females in my career and about 10 EOD females.
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SGT Operating Room Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
8 y
1SG (Join to see) - Sergeant, does the same go for a Spec Ops MOS, such as Civil Affairs (38B)? Those units typically operate outside of conventional Army units and tend to deploy with and support SF, SEAL, and other elite forces.
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LTC Signal Officer
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
JSOC, 18 series, Rigger. That is about it from my experience. I do know one combat camera guy who went, but very rare.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
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USSF is starting to incorporate the Military Free Fall Parachutist Course into the Special Forces Qualification Course.  The current intent is to eventually have the Regiment be 100% MFF capable.  Operational experience has showed us that HAHO is usually a far more practical method of infiltration than HALO.  However, I don't recommend that anyone attend selection because they want to be MFF qualified or so they can sport some flair.  You should attend selection because you want to serve on an ODA and conduct the classic USSF mission set.  If you want to skydive, that's great and I encourage it.  But tactical infiltration isn't fun.  Every jump is a working jump.  MFF slots are reserved for the guys who need it and for very good reason.  It can be fun.  But the level of assumed risk far exceeds what is experienced during static-line operations.  If you want to push yourself and go to selection, then do that and I wish you the best of luck.  If not, be the best soldier you can in your MOS and pursue your A-license via USPA.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
1SG(P) (Join to see)
10 y
There certainly are many questions that have yet to be answered.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
1SG(P) (Join to see)
10 y
As for the static line bit, I think a lot of us need to be reminded that it isn't just about us.  It may be about who we're working with.
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From the JFK Special Warfare School Academic Handbook here are the requirements for Freefall school.

ATTRS Course Number: 2E-SI4X/ASI4X/011-ASIW8

"Active component or reserve component SOF commissioned officers (LT-CPT), warrant officers (WO1-CW3) or enlisted personnel (PFC-MSG). Other commissioned officers, warrant officers or enlisted personnel of the active or reserve components, selected
DoD civilian personnel or allied personnel who have been nominated for attendance through their chain of command. Applicants must be qualified military static-line parachutists and not weigh more than 240 pounds; must have a current Class III flight physical examination IAW AR 40-501 dated within two years of course completion date; must report with complete medical records including a current Physiological Training Record, High-Altitude Parachutist Initial (HAP INT) (AF Form 1274; AF Form 702, Navy Form 1550/28-NP-6 card; or USAAMC AA Form 484). Any variation from the above standards requires a waiver from the CG, USAJFKSWCS."

The chances of you getting a slot are fairly slim, but you can always try. The line "nominated for attendance through their chain of command" means if you pester you chain long enough maybe you can snag a spot. Of course make sure you pass all the other requirements before attempting to talk to your chain of command for a spot.

As someone else who wishes to get Freefall school at some point in my career I am going to try any way I can once I meet all the requirements.

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