Is the 41 and 52 club real in airborne?

2018-07-16T18:35:24-04:00

Pretty damn nervous, I ship to Airborne in 3 days. The Drill Sargeants are saying there’s a fifty percent fail rate. I’m fine with my run (13:30) and with the idea of jumping, just wondering about the 41 and 52 club. Are they really looking to fail that many people?

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jul 16 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-07-16T18:42:47-04:00

They don’t have to “look to fail” anybody.

The run & the sandpit & ‘beat your boots’ ain’t shit... it’s whether YOU have the will.

Worst part of jump school for me was the 34’ tower.

Legend has it that in WWII they had the pshrinks do all kinds of tests to optimize jump school. They tested a shit-load of towers & exits & recoveries, etc.

One of the things they discovered is that 34’ instills optimal terror. Higher & most folks jump, same for lower.

34’ is the magic number. If you’ll jump from 34’ you’ll jump from anything.

I hated the 34’ towers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 7:32 PM

2018-07-16T19:32:14-04:00

I never saw that at Airborne school except for people who did crappy push-ups. No one wants to believe their push-ups suck. I did see this a lot at Ranger School.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 7:54 PM

2018-07-16T19:54:20-04:00

I have been to a lot of Army school. Some of the hardest were jump master, Ranger, and flight school. I have only been recycled in one school. Airborne. Apparently as an E2 my hair was too long and I and about three others were asked to leave or be recycled to day one. I stupidly was the only one to want to stay so I agreed to be recycled. All others said they would rather go home. They all got to stay and I was the only one recycled. That’s the kind of BS you are in for!!!

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jul 16 at 2018 8:40 PM

2018-07-16T20:40:51-04:00

The only person who is going to wash you out of jump school is you. The Airborne School is tasked with providing the military services with a certain number of basically qualified parachutists every year. Over the decades hundreds of thousands of service members of all sorts have completed the course. If all those folks were able to do it so can you. Get that in your head and keep it there and your failure rate will be zero.

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jul 16 at 2018 9:33 PM

2018-07-16T21:33:19-04:00

I saw it first hand 8 years ago. I think that the key is to jump in front of the line and be one of the first people to knock out the push ups and sit ups. At the end of the day is you doing them but they do have a limited amount of slots per class and there is a lot (and I mean it) trying to get in as alternates and what not. Do your best and good luck!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 16 at 2018 10:44 PM

2018-07-16T22:44:10-04:00

My kid brother was recycled 3 times, he QUIT during the 3rd. Then in Germany, he re-upped for Nam. Go figure!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 10:46 AM

2018-07-17T10:46:10-04:00

Well if you're that concerned about getting stuck at 41 or 52, then you probably shouldn't be going to Airborne School yet anyway. If you have to worry about it, your score is too low.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 10:49 AM

2018-07-17T10:49:31-04:00

The course is physically and mentally demanding but it’s nothing you can’t complete unless YOU don’t want to. Listen to instructions. Execute. Keep your feet and knees together.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 17 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-07-17T12:41:29-04:00

Depending of the class- have seen 30% to 50% fail rate.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 12:49 PM

2018-07-17T12:49:42-04:00

Out of 4 of my buddies who have gone so far 2 of them got 41’D and it’s a real possibility. Just try to stand out when it comes to PT

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 17 at 2018 6:33 PM

2018-07-17T18:33:23-04:00

Drill Sergeants are the first of many leaders you'll have in the Army who will lie to you. No, it's not real. BTW, my class had about an 85% graduation rate, as I recall, even though a guy died and that convinced others to quit.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Jul 19 at 2018 7:13 PM

2018-07-19T19:13:37-04:00

PV2 Joseph Woloszyn, the truth is they are n’t looking to fail Soldiers, what they looking is for who will make the cut to become a real paratrooper. They are separating the bad from the good one, this not only get you to jump but be part of SF support, Rangers, 82th Airborne Division & many other special assignment therefore only the best will stay. Airborne

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2018 5:21 PM

2018-07-20T17:21:37-04:00

I graduated ABN recently and from what I observed A LOT of the PVTs had poor form. Most made it into the course but of the APFT drops most were IET PVTs. Just focus on your form and it will work out. The Black Hats are not intentionally trying to fail anyone.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 20 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-07-20T17:25:53-04:00

I don't know about Airborne, but I do know about Air Assault.
If it's real, would it help you focus on doing the right thing and trying as hard as you can to keep from getting kicked out of the school? If so, then it's real,,,,,,VERY REAL.

Response by SGT James Belcher made Jul 21 at 2018 7:56 AM

2018-07-21T07:56:40-04:00

No one there is looking to fail you. Dig deep down when the going gets tough. Listen pay attention and learn. You will do fine.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2018 2:57 PM

2018-10-02T14:57:59-04:00

If you do quality pushups and situps, you'll have nothing to worry about. After the APFT, the hardest part about jump school is waiting to graduate.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 3 at 2018 11:05 AM

2018-10-03T11:05:43-04:00

No military program looks to fail anyone. The military spends a lot of money getting Soldiers through these programs. On the other hand, one does have to meet the standards, and for that they will not cut corners. Thank you for your service.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 23 at 2018 3:44 PM

2018-11-23T15:44:41-05:00

So, PV2 Private RallyPoint Member, you opened this discussion thread on July 16th. Jump school should be in your rear view mirror. How did you fare?

Response by Brian Binder made May 21 at 2024 1:04 PM

2024-05-21T13:04:27-04:00

It's very real...at least I know the 41 club is. They intentionally over book every cycle so they HAVE to fail soldiers. I was high speed and squared away, a top notch soldier. I was so squared away and Hooah! my chain of command approved my request to go airborne... In an M.O.S. that has no use for airborne at that! I was a 14e (patriot missile) and since I got approved four of my buddies did too. First day there I knew they had their eye on me as in a room at desks with other trainees the pg walked past 9 columns and in six chairs and told me I had to go pick weeds. I asked him why me and he said "you were the first one I saw". The story goes in depth of how an mp caught the sergeant airbornes lying on statements. Overall, keep your head down and chin up.