Is there a benefit to not doing schools such as Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault?

SFC Michael Hasbun - That's true, but I know a lot of people that never were energetic, athletic, never ran PT, and never humped a ruck. Today many of them are worse off than me and significantly my junior. There really is no single right answer. Every "body" is different.

SFC Michael Hasbun - Please realize, that everyone isn't always running after shiny objects. Some do. However in the detachments those schools are necessary for us to be able to complete our missions. Before I ever began a left hand list I transitioned into sterile battle dress or outdoor civilian attire. No one ever knew what we had done, when, or where. On those rare occasions we were in garrison most of us wore the appropriate uniform with rank and name. I usually wore plain basic jump wings because I really liked them. We knew each other and our brass knew us. Why call attention to ourselves?

There isn't a day that passes I am not in pain from getting banged up in a nearly fatal parachute FUBAR; by the same token there isn't a day goes by I don't miss being a paratrooper and if I had it to do over again I would. No shame in not going to all those special schools and getting bright shiny badges - I used to tell my high school students to avoid them unless they really counted the cost. We each walk our own path and reap the rewards or pay the consequences. At the same time, each member of the Armed Forces is part of a team and is essential to getting the job done. My younger troopers used to talk trash about "Legs" all the time. I would tell them that if we ever got called on to do a World War 2 style combat jump behind enemy lines those "legs" would look pretty good coming down the road toward us.

SSG Wayne Wood - And tanks would look like the sexiest thing around to all grunts.

Well said Dan.

Refusing to be "Average" by putting in the effort to excel says a lot about a soldier's character.

I agree.

Successful completion of professional education does open up greater opportunities.