Being in the Guard, in a non-airborne state, how implausible would it be for an E6 11B to ask for a HALO slot?

2017-12-21T13:01:49-05:00

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 1:03 PM

2017-12-21T13:03:21-05:00

Granted, I understand being outside of a SOF unit requires an O-5 approval, but is it impossible?

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Dec 21 at 2017 1:09 PM

2017-12-21T13:09:47-05:00

Asking is one thing, getting a school slot allocation and funding from your state's school budget...well I'd say slim and none and slim is out the door already.

Schools dollars are typically allocated for MOSQ as a first priority, military professional educatio as second, ASI producing schools for mission essential training are third. If you can't reasonably tie a school to the mission, chances are slim at getting funding, let alone a school slot. Airborne and Air Assualt slots are often reserved as incentive schools for high performing Soldiers.

All that said, you can submit a request. Just don't get your hopes up.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Dec 21 at 2017 1:17 PM

2017-12-21T13:17:45-05:00

Anything is possible, but not everything is probable. If you can get an O5 or up to sign off on your attendance is just one part of the problem set. HALO school is taught a Yuma Proving Ground and the SOF community has priority of all school slots. Getting them to release a seat to a non-SOF Soldier from the National Guard, assigned to a unit without an airborne mission is a huge hurdle to overcome.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 1:51 PM

2017-12-21T13:51:58-05:00

Get into the 19th or 20th SFG. They probably have shoe-in slots. They have elements in NC, WV, OH, and MD.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 3:14 PM

2017-12-21T15:14:36-05:00

I met a JA who went Ranger and a 42A who was Airborne, Air Assault, and Pathfinder, so I think anything's possible. Good luck SGT, keep pushing.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 3:21 PM

2017-12-21T15:21:36-05:00

Not sure about getting a slot for this school but I know in MS the guy or gal that wins the soldier of the year competition typically gets to go to a school. Again, maybe not ANY school they want but if you won something like that you'd at least get some brass to notice you. And if some of that brass knows the right people, well, you just never know.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 21 at 2017 4:33 PM

2017-12-21T16:33:32-05:00

"Being in the Guard, in a non-airborne state, how implausible would it be for an E6 11B to ask for a HALO slot?"
About as likely as finding a well dressed unicorn at walmart who has the winning lotto numbers for the upcoming 1.34 billion dollar pot, and is able to speak those numbers to you in Mandarin with a French accent .

Response by MSG Dale Simpson made Dec 23 at 2017 2:02 AM

2017-12-23T02:02:55-05:00

There are plenty of Soldiers waiting in line to attend this course who have an actual need and ability to maintain the qualification when they successfully complete the course. So the answer to your question might be why do you think you deserve a slot at this school over someone who has trained and earned the right to attend the school by being in a Special Operations unit? Someone else remarked that if you want to attend you should join 19th or 20th Group as they are Guard SF units, I concur, set your sights on realistic goals and strive to achieve them. De Oppresso Liber!

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 25 at 2018 2:39 PM

2018-01-25T14:39:16-05:00

Impossible no, almost impossible yes!