What units offer Airborne, Air Assault and Pathfinder?

2018-06-22T18:47:56-04:00

I'm in the USAR in an MP BN and willing to transfer City, County, State from my current FL to wherever. I'll even pay out of pocket for my own lodging and food, I just would like to be offered the opportunity to get into these schools. I want to eventually become an Instructor and provide my experience and knowledge from this. Any help?

Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Jun 22 at 2018 7:04 PM

2018-06-22T19:04:27-04:00

First, consider switching to the Guard which has these critical skills jobs and MOSs and Combat Arms units.
Heck FL ARNG has an SF Group too.
If you want Combat Arms types of hooah schools you need units that have school seats afforded and offered due to necessity.
Otherwise you’ll probably never get those type schools.
Needs of service, not servicemembers desires.

I’m afraid those days of self desired development are long gone, like since the 80’s maybe early 90’s.

Your wants and the Army’s needs are two separate issues.

I applaud you for wanting more.
Research your local/state choices of units.
The more hooah a unit, the more hooah schools afforded to its troops.

BN I’d assume would carry a 42A in the S-1

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jun 22 at 2018 7:31 PM

2018-06-22T19:31:12-04:00

There are Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations units in the USAR that are on jump status.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 23 at 2018 8:45 AM

2018-06-23T08:45:42-04:00

All three of those will be in the National Guard mostly, there might be a few in the USAR though. I did digging a long time ago for this. Most of the NG units that are Airborne now are SOCOM, though Texas ARNG still has a non-SOCOM Airborne unit that I think drills near Austin or Fort Worth areas forget which. There used to be an Air Assault unit near Elgin, IL (Chicago). California ARNG has an Air Assault unit somewhere and I think there might be one or two on the East Coast somewhere. USAR has a Rigger unit (Airborne) near Atlanta, GA. You might get better results just by calling the Army Schools and asking them. The National Guard has a seperate Air Assault School that I think is based at Fort Benning, it's mission is to just train NG and Reserve Soldiers it does not train Active Duty. Sometimes they take the Fort Benning AAS on the road to train closer to the State units to save them money in room and board and travel as well..........so you should ask about the NG roving AAS school as well.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jun 23 at 2018 1:21 PM

2018-06-23T13:21:45-04:00

I would switch to the Guard. The bulk of combat units on the Guard/Reserve side of the Army are in the Guard. The 19th and 20th Special Forces Groups are Guard units and have elements spread all over the US.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2018 2:45 AM

2018-06-24T02:45:38-04:00

I would leave the USAR and reclass to combat arms in the ARNG if that's your goal. I'v sent multiple people to both Air Assault and Pathfinder just in the last year. The only school that's tough to get in the guard is Airborne.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made Jun 24 at 2018 10:00 AM

2018-06-24T10:00:26-04:00

Might have better luck transitioning to an AD unit- preferably infantry since they seem to get the higher priority for schools after SOCOM units. I would probably avoid jump school unless you have knee replacement surgery on your bucket list.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 12:56 AM

2018-06-26T00:56:57-04:00

As several have mentioned, in the USAR you would have to be CA/PsyOps to even have the chance to get any or all of these schools. Even combat arms jobs in the National Guard won't afford you the opportunity for all of these. Air Assault is fairly common in infantry companies, and Pathfinder does come around occasionally. Airborne is very hard to get if you aren't in a jump slot. Long Range Surveillance and Airborne infantry units in the National Guard would give you the best shot at all 3 schools outside of the special operations side of the military.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Aug 26 at 2018 1:33 PM

2018-08-26T13:33:29-04:00

The 20th SFG(A) has units in FL, AL and MS. The 360th CA is in Columbia, SC and HHC USACAPOC is at Ft. Bragg, NC. All these units are on jump status. There is an Air Assault CA unit In Knoxville, TN. Good luck getting Pathfinder school. My question to you is are you interested in getting the training to improve yourself or are you badge hunting?