Which is the best, Air Assault or Airborne? Which one is the best for a career?

2019-12-25T17:39:55-05:00

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Dec 25 at 2019 5:59 PM

2019-12-25T17:59:50-05:00

SPC Richard Skeen so there is a difference. I will watch for the posts.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 25 at 2019 6:14 PM

2019-12-25T18:14:12-05:00

SPC Richard Skeen Best for what? If you are going to a light (leg, Airborne, or air assault) unit, air assault is most important for building and certifying sling loads. Even in an Airborne unit. Either school will allow you to go to Pathfinder. If you are going to an Airborne unit, then it is your ticket to enter. It also depends on the directed METL for your unit based on potential missions sets. If you are in remote parts of Afghanistan or supplying them, rigging external loads is critical.

If you are a logistician air assault is more useful (unless you want to pursue Rigger qualification), but SLing Load Certification course at Ft Lee is far more important because of the variety of loads you qualify to rig. Just doesn't come with a badge, so people don't hunt it down. They also added standard rigging for LCLA parachute delivery to The course. Any "non-standard" loads have to be configured by a Rigger.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2019 6:14 PM

2019-12-25T18:14:18-05:00

There it's no true "best" between the two. They have specific purposes they are used for and they fill that function well. Career-wise, Airborne will allow you to to be assigned to many other units in the Army, whose missions could interest you more. For instance, an Airborne unit can and does conduct Air Assault operations. However, an Air Assault unit cannot conduct Airborne operations, unless specific portions of the unit have been officially designated as Airborne.

Do whichever floats your boat though. The rivalry between Airborne and Air Assault is purely endearing. At the end of the day, people with special/additional skills help the Army succeed in its mission, and that's what really matters.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 25 at 2019 7:08 PM

2019-12-25T19:08:17-05:00

Do both... for many it's a vanity badge... nothing more...

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2019 7:32 PM

2019-12-25T19:32:54-05:00

Airborne

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2019 7:47 PM

2019-12-25T19:47:03-05:00

What? You trying to start a riot???
Of course AIRBORNE!!

It all depends on what YOU want to do in your career. In the end they are both qualification badges. You go airborne you can be assigned to airborne units like 82nd, SF, and other airborne brigades. Air assault you get if you get assigned to 101st. Me- I would chose airborne every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 25 at 2019 8:06 PM

2019-12-25T20:06:47-05:00

It did not matter to me as I signed for four M1A1s.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2019 9:45 PM

2019-12-25T21:45:55-05:00

Air Assault is just a quick class, but Airborne is a way of life. Which means that one is a badge and the other is a unit that you serve at for at least three years. The distinction is important because it means serving in an Airborne unit for several years. As you may already know, there are reenlistment bonuses for Airborne positions, extra points for serving in an Airborne position for promotion to E5 and E6, and on the senior enlisted boards in almost every MOS, Soldiers in Airborne units are usually selected for promotion above their non-Airborne peers.

Airborne is an SQI, like Drill Sergeant or Recruiter. It's a qualification needed to serve in a specific role. Air Assault is an ASI, it's an additional skill that enhances your current position, like Battle Staff, Master Fitness Trainer, JTAC, or Pathfinder.

Gaining a skill is always looked at favorably by the promotion board, but serving in a more demanding position (like an airborne unit) is always looked at even more favorably

Response by SPC Kurt Hesselden made Dec 25 at 2019 10:01 PM

2019-12-25T22:01:47-05:00

I was in both 101st Abn and 199th Light Inf. Air Mobile. I found both units great to be a part of. If you lean to go on to SF/Rangers etc. then of course Airborne is the path.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2019 10:52 PM

2019-12-25T22:52:06-05:00

Do them both. Take advantage of every school opportunity you get. You need to go to Sapper ASAP as 12B.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 26 at 2019 9:49 AM

2019-12-26T09:49:44-05:00

I would pick Airborne over Air Assault if for no other reason than it's a much harder school to get if it's not on your contract. There are a number of Air Assault schools these days and that qualification is useful in a lot more units, so easier to get funded.
Will you ever make a Combat Jump if you aren't 75th or SF? Probably not. Last Combat Jump for the 82nd was Panama.

Response by Amn Arthur Blais made Dec 26 at 2019 10:30 AM

2019-12-26T10:30:05-05:00

airborn

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2019 10:21 PM

2019-12-29T22:21:55-05:00

I’d have to second Col Harris’ post: depends on where you want your career to go.
I can’t speak on the airborne side (as I like my planes and helicopters to land) but from what I’ve heard from their members, you’ll be locked into Bragg, Alaska, and 173d. If that and crackly knees are your forte, have at it.
If you want a quick class that you may or may not use afterwards with a shiny pin, go either.
Quite a few I’ve met who want AA were swayed by the promotion, though very little is actual rappelling. More sling loads and bird touching ground kind of deal.
Sqi opens a few more doors and positions, asi looks good on paper. Guide it how you want to go.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 1 at 2020 6:04 PM

2020-01-01T18:04:48-05:00

The army does not provide air assault pay. Airborne gets paid while on jump status. Go figure. Air Assault was created when the 101st went Leg. They had to do something with their jump school so they converted it a high speed repelling course and expanded it. They got a general to approve the wings to keep the airborne tab. Opinions will vary and facts are best.