Airborne

[groundup]

There are a lot of questions about Airborne school. There are two ways to get it in the National Guard - you can get it through your unit or you can get it while in Basic Training. We cannot put it in your contract.

In a recent article in "Infantry Focus" it stated the following:

New incentives give Initial Entry Training (IET) Solidiers at Ft. Benning added motivation to excel in Basic Combat and Advanced Individual Training while providing a boost to recruiters and home unit leaders.

According to the head of the Liason Office (LNO) here, MSG Tom Sznura, "the incentive program was developerd by the Ft Benning Liason Office, with approval from the National Guard Bureau (NGB), to offer ARNG IET Infantrymen the oppurtunity to attend Airborne school. It provides the extra motivation sometimes needed for a Soldier to dig down just a little deeper to excel above his peers. Since Airborne training in the ARNG is mostly limited to Special Forces and Long Range Surveillance units, this may be the only oppurtunity for an ARNG Soldier to attend jump school." (note from groundup: this has been changing with all of the transitioning going on in the Army. We are losing a lot of "heavy" and moving to a lighter, more mobile military. That means more infantry schools - airborne, air assault, etc included)

MSG Sznura emphasizes, "it's an incentive to excel, so the Soldier needs to meet certain, simple requirements."

"First of all, motivation is a key factor. A Soldier who displays a high "Hooah" level will be recognized," according to the LNA NCOIC.

The APFT score serves as one measure of motivation and also a minimum requirement - Soldiers must score a minimum of 270 points on the APFT.

Sznura adds, "keep in mind selection starts at 300 or better and works down to 270 points as the cutoff. Finally, the Soldier's Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, or Company Commander must submit a memorandum."

"Most Soldiers are selected before week 10 of OSTU. This allows time for the unit to facilitate a required Airborne physical and any ARNG Soldier that is Honor Graduate or High APFT for the cycle automatically gets an Airborne training slot. The drop-out rate in jump school for meritorious selectees versus contractual trainees is dramatically lower," he said.

In addition to Airborne, Sznura says more "add-on" training oppurtunities for IET Guardsment include Advanced Unit Marksman, Javelin, and even 11C training for some 11B Soldiers.

Recruiters and home station leaders play a role too. MSG Sznura says, "let the Soldier know that there is a reward for exemplary performance! If he comes here knowing that there is additional training available, the Soldier will usually go the distance to get it!"

"Finally," he adds, "ensure the Soldier ships to training physically fit, administratively correct and metally prepared. Give us that and we will return a Soldier that is well trainied and motivated to take on any challenge that may arise. We feel that it is a vital part in transformation from civilian to Soldier."

"As the ARNG plays increasing roles in the Global War on Terrorism, it is beneficial to have Soldiers that are as well trained as possible to fill every possible slot in a unit and meet every possible contingency," Sznura said.

For more information contact MSG Tom Sznura (email and phone withheld. For any RRNCO's interested in his contact information, use AKO or contact me)

[LRSU_Dog]

This just seemed fitting to pass along...

"What manner of men are those who wear the Maroon Beret?

They are, firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well-being.

They have dropped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear. Their duty lies in the van of battle, they are proud or their honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in things, whether it be in battle, or smartness in execution of all peace-time duties.

They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack.

They are, in fact, men apart. "Every man an emperor"

-Field Marshall Montgomery of El Alamein

[dindelus]

So, this article does not say that if the unit you are assigned to is not an Airborne unit you cannot attend Airborne school. In every other post that I read it is stated that the only way you can attend is if your unit is Airborne.

What is the Airborne physical like?

[kirbaeus]

So, this article does not say that if the unit you are assigned to is not an Airborne unit you cannot attend Airborne school. In every other post that I read it is stated that the only way you can attend is if your unit is Airborne.

What is the Airborne physical like?

You can get an Airborne slot even if not in an Airborne unit, although it is harder if you're in the National Guard. I haven't been to Benning, but plenty of soldiers in my unit are Airborne Q'd, but to remain on jump status have to jump several times a year (from what I remember).

It helps if you're infantry, FO, or in any combat role in a light infantry unit.

At least that's what I've learned since last year. More experienced members will probably answer with more accuracy.

[LRSU_Dog]

In the ARNG, at current there is one Airborne Infantry unit - the 1st Bn 143rd ABN INF, which has locations in Texas, Rhode Island, and Alaska ( http://www.agd.state.tx.us/36id/storyquery.asp?ID=14 ). A variety of MOS's are in this unit, however it is centered on Infantry.

Additionally, there ae ARNG Long Range Surveillance Units (LRS) and each LRS Company is actually a "Troop" as part of a Cav Sqdrn. You can find these units in Nebraska, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, and Alabama (http://readme.readmedia.com/Alabama-...a-Unit/1682860) - In the ARNg there will be 7 (seven) LRS Companies, with Alabama being the most recent activation (see article link above). A variety of MOS's are in this type of unit, however the primary is Infantry, with the seconday being Communications - other MOS's are limited.

The final piece to this puzzle is Special Forces - with units scattered all over the United States. The Career Management Field is 18, which denoted qualification of SF in one of the specialties. There are a variety of support MOS's in each SF Battalion, at the HQ and Support Company levels.

With the Special Forces, there are a couple Special Operations Support/Sustainment units (one in Nebraska, the other I believe is in Utah???) with a wide variety of MOS's. This is the only ARNG Airborne unit I am aware of at this time that is open to both Males and Females.

In each of the above units, being Airborne qualifies is Mandatory, as it is inherant to the job/mission. For everyone else Airborne qualification by attending the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning is a reward for being a TOP Performer, even as those who succeed at winning a slot may never jump again after the complete the course.