What is airborne school like for someone terrified of heights?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:30:14 -0400

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 30 at 2017 11:31 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:31:54 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member "What is airborne school like for someone terrified of heights?"

I imagine terrifying.
If that is you, ..only you can decide if your willing and able to fight though the challenge.

Can you do heights, but don't like to?
Or
At height do you freeze up, and are unable to complete the task?

There is no "fear of heights reduction" training at Airborne school.
There is a lot of confidence building done with regards to the process, and the equipment.
And that may help with an SM that is not happy with, uncomfortable with heights.. But it does not address a flat unwillingness.

Can you talk yourself in to repelling from a 30ft wall? Can you work yourself up in to climbing a 100 foot tower?

If so, you may do ok in AB school...... if you know you will stand at the bottom of the ladder and sure in your mind you will die if you reach for the first rung, that self awareness is likely to lead you to not do so well.

Im not scared of heights.. but I don't enjoy them. those are not the same.
Ive climbed 300ft tower in Iraq to check an antenna connection, more concerned with getting shot than falling , but I did not enjoy it.
Repelled, Jumped from a lot of airplanes, and Helios, parts of it were fun and a challenge.. but the height itself was not the driving factor of "fun" , it was the price endured to have fun or complete the task.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 30 at 2017 11:41 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:41:32 -0400

I don't know, but I do know this: If you get the chance to go, TAKE IT! One of my biggest Army regrets was not getting Airborne into my contract. I tried to go for years when I got to my AD unit, and even the schools NCOIC, who was a friend of mine, couldn't secure me a slot.

Now, I am not as comfortable with heights as I used to be--hell, I used to suntan on my roof as a kid--but I would have gone in a heartbeat despite my being ill at ease with the idea of stepping out into the great nothingness.

If this is what you want, and you get the opportunity to go, do not pass it up. It's ok to be afraid; bravery isn't the absence of fear, its the overcoming of it. We regret the things in life we didn't do more than the things we did do.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 30 at 2017 11:46 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:46:07 -0400

I would guess...........probably........scary at times? I don't think there is anyone that goes through the school that is NOT scared of the first jump.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 11:53 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:53:15 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Good luck with your decision.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 30 at 2017 1:01 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:01:57 -0400

Scary. Of course it is scary if you are not terrified of heights too but being afraid of heights makes it even more interesting.
IF you are not a bit scared jumping out of a plane in flight, then you are more dangerous than a person who is able to understand what is going on.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Oct 30 at 2017 1:11 PM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:11:19 -0400

A blast after the past; jump once or twice and you will want more of it from the Jump Master, believe you me.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Oct 30 at 2017 1:13 PM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:13:31 -0400

Just don't look down; keep your head tucked, till the chute opens and avoid the possom like a plague.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 30 at 2017 1:23 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:23:13 -0400

I am sure its terrifying? Does that help much? Probably not!

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 30 at 2017 3:15 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 15:15:18 -0400

I have a fear of heights... can’t handle fertis wheels... first thing... falling out of airplanes is NOTHING similar. I don’t mind it at all. HATE exiting the door. But other than tgat it’s okay.

The 34 foot tower is designed for max terror. They say if you’ll jump from 34’ you’ll jump from anything. For my part, yup...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 5:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:41:15 -0400

Be afraid, be very afraid..... You'll either jump or you won't. So suck it up butter cup and just follow that weirdo in front of you out of that perfectly good aircraft.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Oct 30 at 2017 6:29 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 18:29:46 -0400

You will love it. I served as a Blackhat Airborne Instructor at Ground Committee back in the mid 70s. The training is very tough. But you can do it. An Airborne career is awesome! I still miss it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 7:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:26:41 -0400

It can vary. Ive had students with an extreme fear of heights that wouldnt exit the towers. Most with a fear of heights were able to overcome their fear and get out the tower and careied that to jump week and passed. Very few refused to jump. Im afraid of heights and hate flying but i love jumping. If you dont look down ( which your not supposed to) you should be able to get past your fear. Beat the towers and carry that with you to jump and you will suceed.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 30 at 2017 7:59 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:59:23 -0400

I have over 600 jumps, counting static line, free fall, 21 + years on status. Anything under 30' nd I have to psych myself up, when running 34' tower for refresher, would go up 10 min early and hang out the door to prep myself. Bravery is being braver for 10 sec longer than the other fellow.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 9:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 21:50:13 -0400

Same as it is for everyone else it is not about your fear it is how you handle it. Go out the door when you need to and do what you need to go. Face your fear a do what needs doing. If you don't want to do that then you should not of been there in the first place.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 9:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 21:57:00 -0400

You will be afforded the opportunity to quit anytime you desire. It's very easy and many of my classmates took the cadre up on their very generous offer. Don't do it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2017 12:06 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:06:23 -0400

I knew a few people who were like this but they learned to cope during tower week. They did freeze a couple times in the doorway including once during an actual jump but everything worked out. Just keep your mind on what you're doing and before you know it you'll plf like a turd on the dz. Most of my jumps were below 1000 ft and didn't last very long. I was more terrified of the landing than the actual jump. I've seen people tangled in trees, bounced off vehicles and dragged on the ground. At least you don't have to worry about the leg straps pinching your balls.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Oct 31 at 2017 11:35 AM

SGT Aric Lier — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:35:56 -0400

anyone who says they are not afraid of heights is a liar...its trusting your equipment and training that helps you overcome it. after every jump I said to myself " look at that shit I am still alive!!"

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 31 at 2017 12:37 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:37:14 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member, I always considered height and altitude to be two different animals. My palms sweat as I approach the top of a six foot step ladder. However, when looking out of the window of an airplane at 25,000 feet, there's no problem (at least for me).
With all the training you'll receive, jumping and the associated activities, it becomes reflexive and there's no time to think about height. The next thing you know, you're out the door, your canopy is opened above you, it's a million times more quiet, and you just enjoy the ride down!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 31 at 2017 6:44 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 18:44:11 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member "Afraid of Heights" and You want to be Airborne? What the Hell is Wrong with You? Never-mind, "CTO1 You're Afraid of Heights but You Have No Problem Skinning Up the Mast, Inside or Or Out" (I go Plenty of Handholds) "You Have No Problem Stowing Antennas in the Worst Storms" (I'm Tied to the Ship with a Speed Brake, I Can't Fall, Very Far at Least and You Can't Leave Me Behind).

Response by MAJ David Brand made Oct 31 at 2017 8:18 PM

MAJ David Brand — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 20:18:31 -0400

I spent 17 years on jump status and I was scared of heights the whole time. Don't look at the ground and you will be fine!

Response by SSG Will Phillips made Oct 31 at 2017 10:21 PM

SSG Will Phillips — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 22:21:53 -0400

Do it! ... I have a Master Parachutist rating and have always had a fear of heights. A lot depends on your perspective. If I can relate where I am in relationship to where the ground is I have issues. I can not climb up a ladder to the second floor of a house, but standing in the door or doing a JM door check never bothered me as there was nothing in relationship to the ground. It's hard to explain.
Good luck tho!!

Response by SSG Billie Dalton made Nov 1 at 2017 7:18 AM

SSG Billie Dalton — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:18:07 -0400

It will help you over come heights issue...

Response by SSG Chris Cherry made Nov 1 at 2017 7:33 AM

SSG Chris Cherry — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:33:15 -0400

The hardest part would be the towers if you're afraid of heights. If you're motivated to get through the school you're not going to let that stop you. When you're in the door of the aircraft you're too high up to really have any perspective and it isn't quite as terrifying (I'm not too fond of flying so I convinced myself that it's easier to make sure a parachute is properly packed than it is to inspect an entire aircraft that's been in service for the last 60 years).

Response by SPC William Pearce made Nov 1 at 2017 7:45 AM

SPC William Pearce — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:45:06 -0400

You'll be too tired to be scared.

Response by PVT Kenneth Phillips made Nov 1 at 2017 8:20 AM

PVT Kenneth Phillips — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 08:20:48 -0400

Pretty much it will get you over that fear or you will wash out of it. If you don't make your first jump the jumpmaster will probably sit you down. They used to kick you out of the plane.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 1 at 2017 11:42 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 11:42:05 -0400

Jumpmaster tell me the first step is the longest and then your training kicks in.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Nov 1 at 2017 4:38 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:38:27 -0400

Being scared is a natural instinct of the body. Putting that fear aside to accomplish the mission, is true courage. Good luck.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 2 at 2017 6:24 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 06:24:31 -0400

Terrifying?

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Nov 2 at 2017 8:06 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 08:06:19 -0400

Different.
I dont like heights...at all.
I do like jumping.

The consequence of falling is different.
Fall off a ladder, that's bad.
Fall out of a plane, that's the point.

Airborne!

Response by SPC Randall Pendley made Nov 25 at 2017 3:48 PM

SPC Randall Pendley — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 15:48:01 -0500

They will get you over them pretty quick. I was agreed of heights before jump school. The first time I ever rode an airplane was 2 days before I jumped. And on my second jump. I had a parachute accident. I stayed in Martin Army Hospital for 157 days. Then on to the HHC/128 Riley KS. After that I came home. I started my own business doing Vinyl Siding and Seamless Gutters. I did a lot of the jobs that nobody else wanted to do. I would take most the high jobs in these Mountains. Like Grandfather. Mt. Mitchell Linville Ridge and a lot of other Country Clubs And Private Resorts. I was told on many occasions that. Looks like if anyone would be afraid of heights you would be. But after Jump School Heights never bothered me. So go for it. And good luck.

Response by SFC Charles Vanzant made Dec 13 at 2017 12:29 PM

SFC Charles Vanzant — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 12:29:48 -0500

If you complete, you may not lose you fear, but you will conquer it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2017 5:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 17:11:42 -0500

If you are terrified of heights it will of course be terrifying!
Not a good idea unless you are an exception to the average and can actually conquer your fear. Do the following before you go:
1) Rappel a lot.
2) Go to the tops of high buildings and look down until your heart stops racing and you stop feeling like you are going to puke. Go to one with a fence to keep you from falling, don't go alone at the beginning. DO NOT PUKE OVER THE SIDE! Someone may be looking up .... ughhhh.
3) If you have to use a cliff, you must have a truly experienced rock climber always with you that knows how to belay you properly. Wear a mouthgard.
I would recommend that if this is smoething you wish to do for someone else, don't do it. Most exceptional soldiers would not voluntarily jump out of an aircraft.
I noticed that you were CBRNE. Now THAT scares the hell out of me!

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Dec 31 at 2017 5:35 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 17:35:09 -0500

The response given by CW2 Ramsdell said it best: the cadre will get you through the tough spots.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 11:29 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 11:29:16 -0500

Terrifying! I hate heights and am scared SH!#LESS every time I jump... at least until my chute opens. Like any other fear though, especially in the military, you have to find ways to deal with it. For some of my friends and I, we use dark humor and crack jokes about pancaking in and fastest way to the ground. Others nap during the flight. Others amp themselves up. Whatever works for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 5:36 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 05:36:42 -0500

Freeing. It helped me overcome my fear of heights.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 7:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 07:27:46 -0400

You'll get all the training you'll need to qualify, if not, move on, and do what you do best.
"Don't look down, only Up", standing in the door, is another issue.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 24 at 2018 9:59 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 09:59:00 -0400

Well ok, how did it work out for you ? Hope you survived one way or the other!!

Response by 2LT Ronald Reimer made Mar 24 at 2018 10:16 AM

2LT Ronald Reimer — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 10:16:15 -0400

Terrifying.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 1:15 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:15:19 -0400

Like hell on earth.

Don’t overthink it. Just do it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 2:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:34 -0400

Terrifying for the student, hilarious for the cadre.

Response by SGT Robert Martin made Aug 6 at 2018 10:29 AM

SGT Robert Martin — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 10:29:27 -0400

It's been a shit tun of years, but I remember not having time to freak during the jump but the wait time will kill you.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 7:14 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 07:14:46 -0500

Did you ever end up going?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 15:06:57 -0400

I am deathly afraid of heights to the point that i have never jumped with my eyes open (every jump is a night jump lol). What helped me was to make sure that i made eye to eye contact with the JM when handing off my static line, line myself in the door, then close my eyes as tight as i can then jump. The best part is the couple seconds of free fall before the canopy opens. Best feeling in the world! Just trust that in 4-6 seconds you'll look up and see that big beautiful piece of cloth full open above you and enjoy the ride. Also, I went to jump school as a brand new E5 arrival to Bragg and went right out of 82nd Replacement. Hadnt even made it to my unit yet and I didnt want to be a new SGT in my unit in the historic 82nd ABN and not have jump wings. Also the then DIV CDR and CSM came to the bus and told us if we came back without wings for any reason other than an emergency or injury we'd be on orders to Fort Polk which was motivation enough for me! Also, a big thing is just having the mindset that you dont want to let yourself down, nor do you want to be the reason training slows down or stops because of you. Conquer that fear and get your first piece of chest candy!

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Aug 14 at 2019 4:55 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 04:55:01 -0400

Terrifying

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2019 6:58 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:58:02 -0400

An absolute blast face your fears and become a paratrooper!!!!!