anybody been to airborne?

[Anonymous]

i want to get my wings but i'm really scared of heights. can someone tell me what airborne is like and how long training is? thank you

marienunez@excite.com

[Anonymous]

: i want to get my wings but i'm really scared of heights. can someone tell me
: what airborne is like and how long training is? thank you


I am not in the Army but I lived near Fort Benning most of my life. i think that it lasts 3 weeks. I have known quite a few people who have gone through it. I know that you do A LOT of running. I have watched them many times practicing their jumps and then actually doing the real thing. It looks really exciting. My husband was in the Army but never went Airborne. If I were to join the Army it is something I would be interested in. Well I hope that you can find someone who has been through it to actually answer your questions. GOOD LUCK! By the way are you already in the Army? Amy

[Anonymous]

: i want to get my wings but i'm really scared of heights. can someone tell me
: what airborne is like and how long training is? thank you


Everything you want to know about Airborne School can be found at the following:

http://www.benning.army.mil/airborne/

Click on Airborne School and the will show you the curriculum, PT requirements, each phase of the training, and what the requirements are to even enter the school. This is an excellent site for information.

You say you are afraid of heights, but that's not unusual. When you get in the plane you are up so high it doesn't feel realistic. Yes, there are those both men and women who back out when the order for stand in the door comes. For most it's not the height they are freaked about, but the freefall.

Because you do it in steps, you usually overcome that fear before you hit the plane.

The majority of injuries come from performing improper PLF's (Parachute Landing Form). If you pay attention and do exactly what they tell you there is no problem.

The hardest jump is the night jump because you are jumping into the unknown.

Would suggest that if you go airborne you be sure you are assigned to a unit that is on jump status or to the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd is the only Airborne Division in the Army. The 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) is no longer paratroopers, they use the Air Assault concept. That way you will utilize the skills you have learned.

[Anonymous]

Will also make a further suggestion if you find a problem with heights. Check out the Air Assault School.

http://www.campbell.army.mil/ass/air_assault_school.htm

Rather than parachuting from planes, you repel from choppers. This is an extremely versatile concept that was developed by the 101st Airborne Division (ASSLT) during Viet Nam. It has an extrememly high success rate in battle. Can be used in any terrain under any circumstances.

Only one death has ever been logged due to equipment failure as opposed to airborne. AASLT gives you flexibility that you don't get through airborne. Not a slam on Airborne, just a different concept.

If you have a problem with heights, this could be the better route for you. There is no free fall and you are connected at all times either by bird, rope, or ground.

As with Airborne you are awarded wings at the successful completion of the school. These are Air Assault wings that are similar to Airborne wings. These wings have the same point value for promotion as Airborne.

[Anonymous]

: i want to get my wings but i'm really scared of heights. can someone tell me
: what airborne is like and how long training is? thank you


amy: i'm in the process of enlisting. i originally didn't want to go near airborne but i understand that it makes you more marketable as a soldier and they take you more seriously.Also you get promoted faster. i would also like to get over my fear of heights, so what better way then to jump off a plane. i'm also concidering air assualt. i'm not sure yet.

I wanted to thank you guys for your posts to my question. these were all really helpful and i'm going to be looking into them now.

marienunez@excite.com

[Anonymous]

: amy: i'm in the process of enlisting. i originally didn't want to go near
: airborne but i understand that it makes you more marketable as a soldier
: and they take you more seriously.Also you get promoted faster. i would
: also like to get over my fear of heights, so what better way then to jump
: off a plane. i'm also concidering air assualt. i'm not sure yet.
:
: I wanted to thank you guys for your posts to my question. these were all
: really helpful and i'm going to be looking into them now.


Congratulations on your decision to join. I have 2 close friends in the Army and they really enjoy it. One is a bridge crew member. THe other does some type of admin type job. I am thinking of joining the Air Force but I have much respect for the Army and it is still an option. My husband misses it a lot. Amy