If you've been through it please post in here. I may have to go and I just wanna know what kinda hell this is..or isn't. Ive heard stories and am sick of hearing them, and want to know exactly what to expect if Im sent.


Thanks.

Do you HAVE to go? If not, don't go.

I assume you're a cadet presently?
If the Army commissions you into a combat arms branch, they will send you post graduation.
That means they will PAY you and you'll go as an LT versus a lowly cadet.

Never do anything for free for the Army.

Let's also not forget that, if you get broken or injured there, you may lose your scholarship and end up not getting a commission.

ACTUALLY...If you're going into an airborne Combat arms unit...and are currently a cadet, you will go as a cadet. I know I saw plenty of little circles in my chalk at airborne school. Saying that of course, I also saw O-2's, O-3's O-4's... army, navy, marine, chAirforce, it didn't matter, every one goes through our airborne school...3 out of 5 marines in my chalk failed the initial PT test though...the other 2 fell out during the runs in ground and tower weeks.

If you are pretty good at running, you will be fine.
If you have no problem throwing yourself sideways off a 3 ft ledge onto your side, you will be fine.
If you have no problem dropping from a rope swing into gravel, you will be fine.
If you like sliding down ZIPline's, you will be fine.
If you are scared shitless of heights and leave finger prints in the metal railing when high enough to pulverize a watermelon on impact*... suck it up, the sensation once you leave the aircraft is so FUCKING amazing

I feel your pain, brother. I hated airborne school, although I was fresh out of basic, with shin splints when I started and stress fractures when I graduated**, not to mention I was so fucking nervous being in the plane, even being last man in the chalk, as soon as those doors opened up. Even 3 years into my career as a BAMF airborne infantryman with the 82nd ABN Div., I still hold onto the fucking cables on the side of the bird, instead of covering my ripcord protector flap*get used to that phrase, and ALWAYS practice "ripcord grip awareness"*

Anything else you want to know about going airborne, feel free to contact me. I'll be leaving for Iraq shortly, but I'll be checking my email as often as I can.


* like yours truly here usually is...
**by the sheer grace of god, and just gritting my teeth during the 1 mile jog to the airstrip.

Oh no Im actually enlisted and fresh out of AIT. My unit changed command and apparently the new command is making it mandatory to send all new personnel to airborne school. Airborne was not in my initial contract, and Im not combat arms or anything like that. Now I mean if I gotta go I gotta go..I mean lower enlisted doesn't get to ask questions and thats cool...but I don't see how they can make me go airborne when its not in my contract. I'm ok with running but its just the idea of jumping outta planes that bothers me...I'd rather go mountain.


Fluff...I may send you an email with some questions.

I've done Canadian para schools, static line and free fall.

Upper body is very important, esp with free fall, to guide your self towards the intended LZ.

Strong legs to take the impact dont hurt either.

The instructors will teach you what you need to know.