Which would you rather do? (ABN or AASLT)

[PhoenixCadet]

I've been looking up stuff on the ARNG and AROTC, and have known for a while that some lucky AROTC Cadets can get the chance to attend either Airborne School or Air Assault School.

My question to you is - if you had to pick one or the other, which would it be? And why?

Airborne
http://www.lander.edu/rotc/rotc_images/airborne3.jpg

Air Assault
http://www.combatreform.com/uh60rappel.jpg

If any military posters here have these experiences, I'd love to hear your opinions. Were you afforded a choice? Why did you choose? If you did both, which did you like better? Etc.

I'm personally split between the two. Airborne sounds pretty dang cool, but then again, so does Air Asault.

-PC

[FeelinFroggy]

This is like comparing a sexy blonde to an equally sexy brunette.

So, in that case, both.

[armysc_25b]

In all due time, if you wanted to you could go to both schools. It's not all that uncommon actually; I've ran into my fair share of "double stacks" (people with both sets of wings).

As far as myself, personally, if I were to go to one of the schools it'd probably be Air Assault. No real reason why that over Airborne, just my pick.

[TruBlu]

I would absolutely love to do both. If I had to choose one before the other or if I could only do one, probably the air assault, just because I think it would be so cool to rope out of a Black Hawk helicopter. I don't know what it is, I'm just drawn to that.

But jumping out of a perfectly sound aircraft would be great also! :D

[flyBoy2010]

I would die for the opportunity to do both, but if I had to choose one it would be Airborne. I have always loved flying and the airborne is like flying without the airplane. Plus, the views are amazing!

[C./Fields]

This is like comparing a sexy blonde to an equally sexy brunette.

So, in that case, both.

Now that is a good analogy. Yeah, I would definitely go to both (schools).

[El Supremo]

***FAILURE TO MEET FORUM STANDARDS FOR THE SECOND TIME***

Infraction given.

[Drill for life]

At JCLC I got to do a Basic course of these(of of a tower and a 250 parachute drop) I LOVED AASLT, it was so fun. I would pick AASLT. Now if I joined the Army I would be a Double stack, they are three week courses.

[PhoenixCadet]

At JCLC I got to do a Basic course of these(of of a tower and a 250 parachute drop) I LOVED AASLT, it was so fun. I would pick AASLT. Now if I joined the Army I would be a Double stack, they are three week courses.

That's awesome! I recall seeing pictures of CAP encampments during the 80's in Georgia. They were held at Fort Benning (they might still be), and Cadets got to do some of the training (I only saw pictures of the airborne 35-foot tower. To do it while actually in the military is one thing, but as a Cadet, that's awesome!

[Drill for life]

I did the 35 foot tower to, they picked three cadets from each compnay(The Company Commander(me) Company First Sergeant and another cadet. I can't wait to get my wings in the Corps(The Lead Sled(Basic) and then the Eagle wings(Navy/Marine Corps version)

[navytrooper]

I'd do Air Assault. But that's me, because I don't like jumping out of airplanes. Fast-roping down a Blackhawk sounds so...
SWAT-like?

[SlightlyCatholic]

One thing that impresses me is an Army Chaplain with Airborne wings. I've seen a few with them on now, and they're a source of admiration for me.

[Drill for life]

When I did it off a 60 foot tower it was so exciting. I loved it

[wukong]

As an airlifter and Airborne trooper, I am somewhat prejudiced. The way I see it, as airborne you are going somewhere. As air assault you need to be transported there for local employment.

The 82nd has a brigade on alert now to accomplish a strategic mission to any place on the globe. When something happens anywhere their eyes immediately focus on possible employment. The 101st is normally a follow on behind the 82nd.

[Drill for life]

One thing that impresses me is an Army Chaplain with Airborne wings. I've seen a few with them on now, and they're a source of admiration for me.

I saw a Army Chaplain with a CAB(combat action badge). He was also highly decorated to.

[fjer]

I would (and hopeful will this summer) do Airborne. It just seems more interesting to me. Rappelling out of helicopters (fun) is only part of Air Assault; a big portion of it is sling loading (not as fun); plus, swiss-seats hurt, really bad, especially when they're supporting your entire weight. Having said that, I would like to do both before graduating; the experience should be helpful to me when I become an officer.

Oh, and on the chaplain side-topic, my company chaplain during Beast had Airborne wings with combat jump star, CAB, and Ranger Tab. My current regimental chaplain has Airborne wings and Ranger tab. Both were USMA grads, served in combat units, then became chaplains.

[-BuLL-]

At JCLC I got to do a Basic course of these(of of a tower and a 250 parachute drop) I LOVED AASLT, it was so fun. I would pick AASLT. Now if I joined the Army I would be a Double stack, they are three week courses.

Actually, Airborne is a 3 week course, but Air Assault is only a 10 day course. I have also had the oppurtunity to do Air Assault simulations at JCLC. We were on a 65 foot tower and rapelled down using just the rope, no wall. It was pretty fun.

[PhoenixCadet]

Just to add on to this, something I'd really like to try is Skyhook (Fulton Surface to Air Recovery System). (Ever seen The Dark Knight? :D)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dU9JntKuh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErEsNhDmo8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-air_recovery_system

[Drill for life]

Actually, Airborne is a 3 week course, but Air Assault is only a 10 day course. I have also had the oppurtunity to do Air Assault simulations at JCLC. We were on a 65 foot tower and rapelled down using just the rope, no wall. It was pretty fun.

That is exactly what I did at JCLC.

swiss-seats hurt, really bad, especially when they're supporting your entire weight.

I agree with you on that but that is why there are two diffeternt types of awiss aeats for Air Assault rappeling and regualr rappeling. The Air Assault swiss seat is centerd more on your back then on your hips and reglular rappeling is centered more on your hips so it hurts more.

[C/Msgt.wraith]

I would personaly choose air assault. I just can't wrap my head around the thought of jumping out of a perfectly good, flyable airplane.

[fjer]

The Air Assault swiss seat is centerd more on your back then on your hips and reglular rappeling is centered more on your hips so it hurts more.

Where are you getting this from? I'm pretty sure the there's only one way to tie a swiss seat.

[Drill for life]

There is only one way to tie a swiss seat but when I did Air Assault the instructors told us to push our P-Knots to our backs instead of on our hips.

[Ben Shotalot]

In the Army, you don't get extra pay for Air Assault. So Airborne is my choice. Show me the money! It's all about the money.

:recon:

[Drill for life]

Show me the money! It's all about the money.


I don't know if you are joking but I think money drives people to much, I was at MEPS and there was this Marine Staff Sergeant and he was enlisting in the Army just for the Money. Come on, I want to Earn the title but I am not doing it for the monwy. I am supposed to get a $5,000 dollar check for my UZ enlisment option but I still have not got it and probaly wont, it does not bother me.

[armysc_25b]

I don't know if you are joking but I think money drives people to much, I was at MEPS and there was this Marine Staff Sergeant and he was enlisting in the Army just for the Money. Come on, I want to Earn the title but I am not doing it for the monwy. I am supposed to get a $5,000 dollar check for my UZ enlisment option but I still have not got it and probaly wont, it does not bother me.
With the Army, you don't get any part of your bonus until after you complete training, so...

[Javelin66]

Although it has been years since I went through either, they have not changed much (of course, I was in the last hard class for each). Both schools are fun if you are in moderate or better physical condition, maintain a positive attitude, and keep your head in the game.

Air Assault school is shorter but much more intense, both academically and physically. There is little room for error, and everything is happening pretty fast. Zero day, inspections every morning, moderate PT, academics, rappelling, and the foot marches add up to a fairly challenging course.

Airborne school is longer but less intense. The PT is not hard at all, with one exception. If you have trouble running, you will be challenged, because running is used as a way to ensure that no one is hiding an injury. You will go on at least one five mile run at a moderate pace.

Bottom line, though, is when it comes down to it you are jumping out of an airplane, and there is no comparison to the mental challenge. On my first jump and each and every of the 54 since, I have had the exact same though run through my mind when that first jumper exits: Oh my God, we are really going through with this!

[soccermark23]

With the Army, you don't get any part of your bonus until after you complete training, so...

Air Force too. When I originally enlisted I received my bonus once I returned from BMT and Tech School.

[Drill for life]

Well the Staff Sergeant of Marines switching to the Army is ging to get it right after AIT, Marines don't have to go to any other services basic training when they make a lateral move.

[Javelin66]

Going to the school and being in the unit are two entirely different things.

If you go to the school and then to a 'leg' unit, you will not be recieving jump pay, and you will be airborne qualified but not a real paratrooper.

An Air Assault unit is essentially a light unit, although there will be more of an emphasis on air assault operations. Life can be hard.

A real line Airborne unit (one of the BCTs or the Ranger battalions) will do a mission profile mass-tac, combat equipment, night airborne operation followed by a realistic tactical field problem once a month. Now you will be a real paratrooper.

Keep in mind also that all Airborne and Air Assault units are high demand, low density assets, meaning that you will be a frequent deployer. When you aren't in the fight, you are in training for the fight (in the field or at JRTC/NTC), or serving as the DRB (Division Ready Brigade, a contingency force on 2 hour recall and 18 hours to 'wheels up'). 'Life in the cycle' can get old fast.

[JohnP]

In the Army, you don't get extra pay for Air Assault. So Airborne in my choice. Show me the money! It's all about the money.

:recon:

I remember when I was told I was going to receive jump pay, I responded with pleasant amusement, "You mean, I get paid to do this?":D