Posted on Feb 10, 2017
CPT(P) Company Commander
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SFC George Smith
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19
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Look for a Reserve component Unit that has jump slots... or has a potential Airborne mission...
Looks at Infantry... SF... Support or Combat Support Units... apply to go to Ranger school...
Question ???
WTF do you want to go to Jump school...
The abuse to your Body is exponentially amplified... Prime example... 2 Replaced Knees and 1 ankle... and the other that sounds Like i'm walking on a bag of Potato Chips...
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MSG Jerry O'Rourke
MSG Jerry O'Rourke
8 y
The CSM has a good point.But make sure your state or unit Quota Source manager codes you as a walk so the training site gets the allocated funds to pay for you attending the course.Also do not travel their unless your Battalion Training NCO builds your DTS for travel and meals.Always have all the pre requisite s complete IE: airborne physical, current PT test, etc.
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SGT Todd Swartzman
SGT Todd Swartzman
8 y
CH (COL) (Join to see) - imhad a tree landing similar, but my chute caught me up and I stopped 2ft from the ground. I broke my radio and some other equipment where I bounced off of the trunk, but otherwise, it was a soft landing, just scared the crap out of me. Our whole platoon got dropped over the trees. I. The snow, drop zone looks like forest from 800 ft up apparently.
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COL Alan Nalbandian
COL Alan Nalbandian
8 y
The 404th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Dix is an Airborne unit, that is a viable option. If you really want to do it go for it, don't let anyone stop you.
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SP5 Jeannie Carle
SP5 Jeannie Carle
>1 y
On my ex's final jump he tree-landed and broke his back. I highly respect those who do that, but I'm not in line for all that!
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited >1 y ago
Ea99344
CPT(P) (Join to see), there are airborne units in the ARNG and the USAR. If you wish to go to jump school, try to transfer to an airborne unit. I watched a USAR unit conduct an airborne training operation at Fort Campbell a few weekends ago.
In the photo the USAR paratrooper is preparing to land on Corregidor Drop Zone, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 21JAN17. The C-130 in the background is getting ready to make another pass. CPT Gabe Snell
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
CPT(P) (Join to see) - A friend was PSY OPS in Europe. After attending his SGM School graduation in greens, his unit became Airborne. That was it, he retired!
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
>1 y
CSM Charles Hayden, the only non-AD Special Forces groups left now are the 19th and the 20th, and they are both ARNG.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
>1 y
CSM Charles Hayden, was that about 1985 for your SGM buddy? That's when the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), or USACAPOC(A) was organized.
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SFC Eldon Meade
SFC Eldon Meade
8 y
Texas Guard the 143rd is an airborne battalion and is a round out patched with the 173d IBCT in Italy.
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SGM Leon Peck
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8
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I have been retired for 17 years now, but at one point I was the Military Education Manager at a NG Division Headquarters. We received a budget each year from our State Hqs, which was never enough to fund the required schools, let alone nice to have courses like Airborne. I used to receive applications from young lieutenants and captains requesting Airborne school. These individuals were not in Airborne slots. I always turned them down. It wasn't that I wanted to, but I also had applications for MOSQ schools, Officer Basic and Advanced courses, and PLDC among other required schools that I had to find funding for. And if you wanted to go to NCO Advanced or the Sergeants Major Academy, you did it through Correspondence Courses, Reserve Component Courses or the USASMA Resident/Non Resident course. (That is how I and my peers went through the Sergeants Major Academy - no double standard because of where you were assigned)

Unfortunately, the Reserve Components have always had to accomplish the mission without enough funding. That's just the way we had to live. Heck, we only got 39 bullets each for our Annual weapons qualification with our M16 Rifles.
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MAJ Keira Brennan
MAJ Keira Brennan
8 y
Spot on SGM
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
8 y
Yeah, they - Big Army - wants from the Guard/USAR; but they hate to provide. Hence the need for representation in DC!
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What is the best and most efficient way to get into Jump School as an Officer in the Army Guard/Reserve (non-infantry)?
CPT Team Leader
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You can easily get airborne out of BOLC, easy three week school. I'd say if that was your true dream then you should've branched active Duty INF and requested Bragg. I've only have over thirty jumps and I hate it each time I'm manifested.
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
WOW, that's a long time sitting around waiting... If you're Guard/Reserve is this something that can be done on drill weekends or are Airborne soldiers called up just for Jumping? Sorry I don't know the process.
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CPT Team Leader
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>1 y
I can't answer that I've always been Active Duty, but I assume it sucks up a lot of drill time. The one positive is that flight crew is trying to gainhours and less likely to scratch jumps. Also there is multiple Airborbd CA units in your area CPT(P) (Join to see) -
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CPT(P) Company Commander
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CPT (Join to see) - Thank you Sir, I'm actually going to check out the CA opportunities, it was something that I wanted to do from the beginning but seems I would need to make a move to USAR
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CH (COL) Command and Unit Chaplain
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8 y
CPT(P) (Join to see) - I was an NCO in a reserve Pathfinder detachment. The jump requirements for the Guard and Reserve are identical to active duty jump units. Just less pay.
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BG Dep. Director, Military Programs
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Civil Affairs has by far the most Airborne slots in the RC. You can even go to Airborne School if you are not in a jump-status unit in the expectation that you later use it in a jump-status unit. I just led my troops in jumping into Sainte-Mere-Eglise (the town, not the drop zone at Bragg) to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the airborne drop into Normandy. You won't find that in any other RC unit!
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MSG Dan Castaneda
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Edited 8 y ago
4a8fb715
My unit has plenty of slots sir.
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
8 y
It seems I'd have to go active duty to ensure a slot.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
8 y
yea .. but check the view!
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MSG Dan Castaneda
5
5
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Are you chasing a badge or trying to go an actual Airborne unit?
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
Like I mentioned earlier lol I don't need the badge, one more uniform item to worry about but I would like to continue jumping on a regular basis, so if that means Airborne unit, then yes.... I want the experience for myself and the added extra value to the Army.
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MSG Dan Castaneda
MSG Dan Castaneda
>1 y
Don't worry about the wings being a nuisance of having to put them on your uniform, they will be the best thing you wear.
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CPT Pedro Meza
CPT Pedro Meza
8 y
CPT(P) (Join to see) - Look for a Reserve unit that is jump status to which you can transfer too. I am loyal to the Civil Affairs and Psy Ops (USACAPOC) which has jump status that will accept you if you have a needed branch or civilian job skill, but be advised you will be deployed and will be jumping.
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CW2 Legal Administrator
CW2 (Join to see)
8 y
CPT Pedro Meza - I was just going to suggest USACAPOC units and you beat me to the punch, Sir! I was in a reserve CA BN and they were always sending Soldiers: officers and enlisted.
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SSG Infantryman
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Edited 8 y ago
No offense sir, but unless youre going to an airborne unit and going to be on jump status why do you want jump school. Unless your going to be on jump status, it offers no skills what so ever
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CPT(P) Company Commander
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>1 y
Like the Colonel called it adventure training, something I've always wanted to do on the Army, I completed OCS recently and they sent me to my first unit on needs of the Army; unfortunately most officers dont get to pick their MOS or unit... I honestly wasn't aware I could put in a request to be a part of an airborne unit, I thought my movements were controlled by the hidden hand of the powers that be... If there is an airborne unit that will take me, I'd gladly make that move, assuming the needs of the Army allow it. I'm honestly gung-ho for any specialty schools while I'm still somewhat young but Jump School is at the top, plus it's an honor to be able to attend the school
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SSG Infantryman
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>1 y
I sent another comment out, try Air Assault school, it teaches skills that just about any unit can use and its extremely easy to get in to it because there are like 4 or 5 of them at different posts
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COL Charles Williams
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CPT(P) (Join to see) You need to find an Airborne unit... If you are not in an Airborne unit, in these times, there is no need for you to be airborne qualified.
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
That's what I was afraid of, looks like I'll need to makes some moves.
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
>1 y
CPT(P) (Join to see) - Yes, the days of Airborne school as adventure training are long gone...
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
COL Charles Williams - (sad face) I suppose we would need a big new war to go back to adventure training).... I guess just being gung-ho isn't enough
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BG Edward Burley
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4
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Your best bet in the Army Reserve is going PSYOP or Civil Affairs - both have Airborne Battalions, along with some slots in the command elements. There are a few scattered other units in the Reserve (Quartermaster Riggers) and Guard (Long Range Surveillance Detachment) units, but the Guard is closing their LRSU in 2018 (https://www.stripes.com/news/army-quietly-deactivates-its-small-team-reconnaissance-units-1.450392#.WTmhjsaZNBw). Other than those, there are scattered IMA positions, but none that I know of for LTs.
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
8 y
Thats something to think about Sir, it looks like there are a few CA/PSYOP units in Indiana near me.
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BG Edward Burley
BG Edward Burley
8 y
Airborne units closest to you are the 346th Tactical PSYOP Company (Airborne) in Whitehall, OH; the 15th PSYOP Battalion HHC in Cincinnati, OH; 2nd PSYOP Group HHC in Twinsburg, OH (near Cleveland), and the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Whitehall, OH. Generally it takes a waiver for a LT to go to the CA or PSYOP courses, but you may be able to fill one of the few branch immaterial staff jobs until you're ready to go. Just to let you know, the first priority is DMOSQ, THEN attending Airborne School. So it could be 2-3 years before you actually start jumping.
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COL Jon Lopey
COL Jon Lopey
>1 y
CPT, You received some very good advice from some fine, well-informed Soldiers and leaders. I served in the USMC and 30 years in the Army National Guard and USAR and I too did not initially get jump training. The 19th and 20th SFGA units are great units to try but if you don't go that way I served in the Civil Affairs and it would be worth commuting a long distance to an Airborne CA or PSYOP unit with jump slots. A way I got Airborne School after being turned down by the National Guard was to transfer to the USAR Control Group. I got Airborne School through the Inactive Reserve's Infantry Branch, which was very supportive; however, the schools they provide are contingent upon funds. Good luck. Another option, as mentioned, would be to go active-duty. It would be beneficial while on active-duty to request Airborne and Ranger School while you are young and physically and emotionally tough and fit. Airborne! Jon
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