What should I expect and prepare for at Airborne School? Any suggestions or gear you wish you brought?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:56:30 -0500

I will be attending airborne school, what should I prepare and expect? I understand PT and PLF are one of the biggest aspects. Any suggestions or gear you wish you brought? I am open to everyone's input. I would really appreciate it!

Response by LTC John Mohor made Mar 8 at 2019 12:02 AM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:02:07 -0500

Get in great shape. Complete every run no matter what. Only thing some of my fellow Alpha types used was bike shorts. I didn’t need em. Listen and learn. It was my favorite three weeks in the Army School house wise!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 12:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:05:19 -0500

Lol I didn't even know it was called that!
There's nothing special to it. You'll be off every day after chow. Maybe bring a car so you aren't sitting around those ancient barracks bored every evening. Your uniform is dictated, you won't need anything more or anything less.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 12:25 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:25:39 -0500

It's a mind set, everything you need to know, and do, will be given to you during training, you'll be just fine. "All the Way!"

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 8 at 2019 12:57 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:57:53 -0500

Not a hard school. Just keep up with the runs - they are long and snail slow... and a formation of about 300; maybe 500 since you’ll be going during summer surge! Have fun!!!!!!

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Mar 8 at 2019 3:33 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 03:33:14 -0500

Packing list. Follow it to a "T" do not substitute items on the list, If the list states "Towel: Basic issue -2" then you bring those two issued towels, Not joking about this either, they will DQ you for not having the exact items on that list.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 8:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 08:19:06 -0500

You dont really need gear. They will give you everything you need. You'll never use more than a uniform, ACH and canteen. Airborne school is by far the easiest school I've ever attended. after your APFT, you're essentially waiting to graduate. just stay out of trouble and dont get hurt, youll graduate very easily.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 8:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 08:25:55 -0500

While you're waiting to go continue to run, pull ups, push ups, flutter kicks, sit ups, and more pull ups and running.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Mar 8 at 2019 10:43 AM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 10:43:41 -0500

Congratulations on getting an Airborne School slot. You have taken the first step towards no longer being a leg. Your school should have a packet on Airborne School. Read it, do what it says. Get in shape and take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth. The school is pretty much NCO run, your status as a cadet holds no water with them. Listen to them and do whatever they tell you to do as quickly as possible. Good luck to you.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Mar 8 at 2019 10:51 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 10:51:38 -0500

Don't forget your watch -- You don't want to be late for anything...Just kidding (seriously, don't get caught wearing a watch!) If you want wings on your chest, you'll pass -- Good Luck!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2019 3:10 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 15:10:11 -0500

good running shoes, everything else in uniforms.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Mar 9 at 2019 6:26 AM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 06:26:00 -0500

Just bring your PMA (positive mental attitude) you will need it. “PMA is a philosophy which asserts that having an optimistic disposition in every situation in one's life attracts positive changes and increases achievement.” Check out “Think and Grow Rich” to learn more.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 9 at 2019 3:02 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 15:02:03 -0500

Be both physically and mentally fit. Beyond that, enjoy the ride! Good luck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 4:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 16:27:15 -0400

Be the first or last jumper on jump week. Let's see...bring your own blanket or sleep system. You will be provided with your necessary items sir. Don't be nervous about the 35ft towers. They're worst then actually jumping from the aircraft. You will do just fine sir.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 7:40 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 19:40:50 -0400

All you need is will, desire and you’re good to go. Nothing to it. AATW!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2019 11:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 23:28:40 -0400

I'm not sure how much airborne training has changed from the 80's when I went through, but one thing that basic training didn't prepare some of use for were the pull-ups required before you could get into the PT pit. I saw several students get kicked out for not being able to do them. Pull-up bars were at the edge of the pit and after the morning run, we would line up and black hats would count your good ones before you entered the pit. no cheating. If you couldn't do them, you were sent to the back of the line for a second chance starting the count from zero again. No pass meant you were out. Being able to do pull-ups is critical for not only the course, but also because you need to be able to pull your own body weight in order to pull a hard slip with your chute when needed, whether your pulling risers or toggles, you need to be able to avoid obstacles and other jumpers. Unfortunately, I can't remember if the black hats required overhand or underhand in airborne school then. We were not tested for pull-ups on a standard PT test so many had probably never trained them before. I went to airborne straight out of basic and the runs and PT pit were fine.
I once jumped as the last man in a stick and was caught in an updraft near the end of the DZ. A second plane flew right over me dropping another stick and then most of them were getting on the ground before he too. I then realized I had moved backward over the edge of the forest behind me and instead of trying to just pull toggles (my arms were getting tired), I reached as far up the front risers as I could and pulled them to my chest and just held them there to get to a safe distance down and forward. eventually I got down safely, obviously. No tree landing.