Posted on May 26, 2015
SSG Senior Mechanic / Bn Master Driver
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MSG Brad Sand
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Edited 9 y ago
If you are not Airborne or at least Air Assault qualified, what is the tactical reason for sending someone to the school? These schools are not intended for people to get pretty badges, they are for future war fighting.
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COL Taylor, Ronald
COL Taylor, Ronald
7 y
When I attended pathfinder school I thought it was required to be airborne qualified as we make several jumps in my class! Maybe the schoolhouse has changed its policy, but recall distinctly we were not allowed to apply for a slot back in the day unless you were airborne and maybe air assault, but I am sure everyone in my class made the required jumps. clearly, it would not make much sense to be a pathfinder without those other skills as they are interdependent and integrate with one another.
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SGT Morrison  (Mike) Hogwood
SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood
6 y
I went went with BN of MP's at Ft Carson in 1980,i was attached from a Med Bn to the MP's during their tour in panama,i was no Airborne,I had no idea that the pathfinder badge would be awarded to me as i was there for medical support,but we had to go through course with them,i enjoyed the training,I was not able to wear the pathfinder badge as there was a so called unwritten rule that a percentage of your unit had to be qualified before it was authorized for wear,i hope that rule has changed,and if i remember right i do not think many of the MP's were Airborne either.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
MAJ Javier Rivera
>1 y
CW4 (Join to see) a pathfinder qualified soldier can call equipment drops, but only a if s/he is also jump master qualified can call personnel drops.

The main purpose of pathfinder training is for LZ/DZ operations and PZ operations for equipment rather than PAX.

As a qualified in all of the above, I could only call PAX drops from HELOs and up to 3 high performance aircrafts - equipment included. Everything else required USAF CCTs and/ALOs. Sling loads? As many as required!
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CSM Robert Moore
CSM Robert Moore
>1 y
COL Taylor, Ronald - I went to pathfinder school nearly 25 years ago and being Airborne qualified was not a requirement and pathfinder serve many roles in our Army and Logistics are a key part of that. BTW I was the 1SG of the ground CAV troop for the 82nd and conducted many pathfinders operations for the division
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MSG Platoon Sergeant
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Having that school alone puts you in a league by itself. does it really matter what others think? The only person it should matter to is the guy looking back in the mirror when you shave.
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CW3 Scott Castlen
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Going to a military school usually arms a soldier with an additional skill set, or responsibility. It shouldn't be viewed as adding flair to ones uniform.

If you go to a school just for the badge and you never apply or use the skill, then it's a waste of time and tax payer money.
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SFC John Hill
SFC John Hill
7 y
There are schools that should (my opinion) but don't offer a badge/tab are Abrams or BFV Master Gunner for example. Then there are schools like Battle Staff which moves your job to a chair in an "S" shop somewhere.
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SPC Byng Ramone
SPC Byng Ramone
7 y
schools are worth promotion points. :D formally or....informally. ;)
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CSM Robert Moore
CSM Robert Moore
>1 y
SFC John Hill - BTW the first master gunner badges were awarded last month
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