How does a Reservist get to add Airborne or Air Assault school onto AIT? Can this be done?

SPC Steven Peery — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 14:06:30 -0400

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2017 2:51 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 14:51:21 -0400

I'm pretty sure you have to have a 300 PFT and get a recommendation, but it's hard for reserves to get those slots. Good luck bro.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jun 23 at 2017 3:00 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 15:00:31 -0400

I think it would have to be done though your unit and if your unit doesn't have airborne slots and funding (which is generally the case for reserve component), chances are you won't go.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 23 at 2017 3:16 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 15:16:11 -0400

Now don't quote me on this, but I'm almost positive that this can only be done if it was in your contract when you enlisted. After that, schools will be given by your receiving unit, and that all depends on slots, money, MTOE requirements, so on and so forth.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 23 at 2017 3:33 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 15:33:19 -0400

To echo PFC Thompson, get right with your PT test, as in 290 or better just to be safe. And work with your chain-of-command and training NCO. Don't be a pest, but don't let them forget you are interested in schooling. Cool school slots don't often open up for Reservists, but it does happen on occasion. Be the soldier your unit wants to send; the soldier who represents them.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Jun 23 at 2017 3:49 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 15:49:44 -0400

If you are OSUT it can be pretty much impossible. There has to be slots available and your state unit has to have the funding for it. For split option, it is easier, but not by much. Before going to AIT you should have a top APFT, say 270 or better. And anything else to make you look good on paper for a school slot.

When I was going through 11B OSUT, they were offering Airborne slots at the very start of AIT, whether it was in a soldier's contract or not. PT scores had to be awesome as well as marksmanship scores. I am not sure how often a surplus of slots are available but I would wager it is not often.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 6:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 18:32:04 -0400

It is possible to get airborne on your contract but it's not guaranteed when you will go it is possible to get airborne on your contract but it's not guaranteed when you will go. You have your best chance of going to airborne straight out of the IT if there are slots available if it is not in your contract. If you were guard or reserve you may have a chance to get air assault if you are good at PT and not a complete dirt bag but, airborne slots in the guard reserve our far few between