Is it difficult to go to Airborne School through Army ROTC?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:00:13 -0400

Response by Alec Roman made Jul 21 at 2020 3:07 PM

Alec Roman — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:07:20 -0400

The course is the the same but getting selected is definitely more selective than being at a conventional unit as slots are more limited. Every year I only ever saw maybe 3-4 handed out for Airborne and Air Assault schools although I am not sure if that was at battalion or brigade level.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2020 3:11 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:11:21 -0400

If your in ROTC and drilling with a unit it is somewhat easier. If your unit is on jump status then you should be able to go through them. If not ROTC can send you but youll have to have high PT scores (old system but i dont know how the new one is graded). Get with your PMS at the school and they can help guide you through the process.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 21 at 2020 3:13 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:13:20 -0400

There are a limited number of slots per ROTC battalion and cadets must compete for them (i.e. PT score, conduct, academics, etc.). If you are an SMP cadet drilling with a USAR or ARNG unit, you also need to check with unit chain-of-command to confirm they have no concerns (i.e. not conflicting with summertime AT, not flagged, etc.)

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2020 3:14 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:14:01 -0400

Yes, the process is more selective and thus competitive, and the slots are fewer for cadets. In my experience Westpoint always gets first dibs, then the other military academies, then everybody else.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2020 3:19 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:19:37 -0400

Just so you get an idea, when I was in ROTC my battalion had 120 cadets. Out of 120, there was one Airborne Slot and one Air Assault slot per year.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2020 3:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:25:45 -0400

It is pretty selective. We only had one slot at my ROTC battalion. We have around 300 cadets

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2020 4:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:35:15 -0400

You have to start early and compete for those coveted slots. Usually given to Cadets over the Summer of thier MSII to III year, but each program has its own culture. Talk to your APMS/MSI about the local process and throw your hat in the ring soonest.

Airborne is much harder to get these days, try and get that if possible, but know AASLT is as good but easier to get locally once commissioned since there are numerous AASLT schools in CONUS. Usually have to go Hooah Infantry after commissioning to get a coveted ABN slot unless assigned and volunteered to serve in an ABN unit upon graduation from BOLC then its a must have in any Branch.

I have seen (Greatest COA ever) Cadets get ABN over summer MSI-IIyear, Then AASLT and Basic Camp OpT-In over summer MSII-III year, then ADV Camp and CTLT over summer MSIII-IV year which made their transition and assesions scores higher than peers and set them up for best branch choice possible. These folks also ensured they were engaged with Ranger Challenge in the Fall and did Color Guard, Drill Team Etc to max points.

Recipe-Make ROTC a high priority right behind academics and PT. Have a high GPA (3.8-4.0) from the outset. Max ACFT/APFT/OPAT (whatever the test is your being asked to do) to show physical ability to endure training. And be involved in some extra curricular focused on your assessions points list like Color Guard, Cannon Crew, Pershing Rifles, JROTC mentoring etc to prove you can multi task and have the intestinal fortitude to handle complex situations under higher levels of stress.

The above will lead to a designation as a Distinguished Military Student in your year leading up to Camp, RECONDO potential and top 10% at camp and DMG your senior year!