What does a soldier have to do in the Army to be able to go to HALO school!?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:33:45 -0500

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!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 4:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:37:43 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2014 9:48 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:48:24 -0500

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.

Special Forces Qualification Course to incorporate military free-fall training

The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is prepared to incorporate military free-fall training into the Special Forces Qualification Course. This initiative will increase the r...

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2014 10:59 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 22:59:23 -0500

Legitimately, there are absolutely zero ways to "guarantee" a HALO slot other than being the top performer possible. Those slots are rare and it's a SOCOM led school. The only regular army slots that I am currently aware of are on Bragg and those would be Div LRRS and Corps LRRS. Those both are exceptionally difficult to get into and you have to be one of a very few select MOSs. Good luck! Get basic wings before endeavoring for HALO. Very limited possibility, especially without being airborne first.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 2:28 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 02:28:09 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 8:47 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 08:47:51 -0400

If you go to a SOF unit you may have a slim chance of getting MFF. I know of a few P's that have gotten it here. Special circumstances though. The MI Det entered a team in the best ODA competition and won. MFF was their reward for winning. Aside from something like that, I'd say you'd have to get into specialized elements within SOF units to even get it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 8:50 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 08:50:15 -0400

Even the route through Ranger regiment is short on HALO slots.
I was just having this conversation with my PL on patrol today.
The best bet at a shot for HALO school is a SMU or SF.

BUT, the Ranger regiment takes 35F's so who knows where you could go with that.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 1:19 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:19:21 -0400

Other than a operator... I've seen riggers when I was assigned to group... But that's about it...

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 27 at 2015 1:33 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:33:57 -0400

Sounds like you are badge chasing @ SGT Marcus Gamble. What is the tactical benefit of the Army spending the money and resources to send you to that school if it isn't something you are likely to ever use. Now if you plan on being assigned to a regiment or SF unit at some point int he future then the opportunity will come. Otherwise the odds of someone in a conventional unit receiving HALO training is almost zero, especially now with fiscal constraints.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 8:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 08:40:18 -0400

Be better then anyone around you, motivation above all and never give up even when they tell you no have determination

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 9:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 21:43:40 -0500

Yes, in order to attend MFF school you must be static line qualified first. A prerequisite of free fall school is being static line qualified.
18 series (SF) attend MFF as part of their pipeline now.
Other Army soldiers who are afforded slots, but not many, are MFF riggers, EOD and Rangers. Others may also include LRRS, Scouts......

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 9:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 21:43:50 -0500

Response by SGT Drew Clark made Jan 27 at 2017 1:18 AM

SGT Drew Clark — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 01:18:57 -0500

Riggers or a High Speed Unit!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 9:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:20:29 -0500

The answer seems to lie within the SOF community, I've heard of riggers getting halo school of course but I wouldn't say that a potential halo slot is worth such a drastic career change.
In any case best of luck on getting Halo, sgt!
I'm definitely interested in the school myself