Anyway to get into specialty schools during BCT/AIT (88M reservist)?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:28:23 -0400

Hello folks,
I am shipping for BCT/AIT in few weeks. I am 88M reservist.
Is there any way, I can opt for airborne, air assault or any other school after AIT.
My dream MOS was 12B with airborne.. Unforunately, I couldn't get that. 88M seems alright as well. But I really want to go to these schools?
My recruiter told me that talk to a drill instructor in AIT or sometimes there are people looking for folks to sign up airborne in basic?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 12:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:45:20 -0400

When you are a reservist your unit must pay for you to attend any additional schools. In fact, if you fail a phase and have to get recycled they have to agree to the additional cost.

Your recruiter either lied to you or has no idea what they are talking about. If you had gone active duty, 12B with airborne would not be far fetched. However in the Reserves you are limited by your Reserve units close by, so you got 88M. If you aren't in a reserve unit that's Airborne you won't go to Airborne school.

The only people able to go to Airborne school in Basic training are Regular Army Active Duty Soldiers.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 4 at 2021 12:46 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:46:15 -0400

At his award banquet, a 6th U S Army NCO of the Year told everyone that he shook hands with that he wanted to be a 1SG! I don’t know how it worked out, but he was striving! SPC Private RallyPoint Member