Should I attend Airborne School at 28 years old?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:03:02 -0400

I’m been offer Airborne School. Because I pass my pt test with a score of 270 I been toll. I’m too old to go just for the reason the my body will take longer to recover compare to someone year younger than me.

Response by CPL Richard Flagg made May 24 at 2019 5:08 PM

CPL Richard Flagg — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:08:35 -0400

You can do it just don’t psych yourself out; because of your age I remember seeing a story years ago in Army Times about a 50 year old passing Jump School. So if he can do it you most certainly can.

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 24 at 2019 5:08 PM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:08:47 -0400

BS I graduated Airborne School 30 years ago next month with a 48 or 49 year old LTC Female headed to command a QM unit that had Riggers assigned so she went thru and earned her wings At 28 you’re still in the prime of life PV2 Miguel Ramos! “Mind over matter, if you don’t mind it won’t matter”! Don’t stay a LEG! Go Airborne AATW! HOOAH!

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made May 24 at 2019 5:10 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:10:38 -0400

Are you joking? 28 is when you're in your best shape.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 5:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:30:42 -0400

Yea unless you're 65 with brittle bones age is not a factor in airborne school

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made May 24 at 2019 5:39 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:39:12 -0400

I am throwing the bullshit flag. I personally know a 57 year old that graduated from airborne school this year. You can do anything thing you set your mind to. Quit being a dirty, stinking leg and go to jump school.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 24 at 2019 5:45 PM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:45:06 -0400

You do get that you are not that much older than most BASIC recruits right? That people that are YEARS ie a decade or more older than you are going through Airborne School. If you are popping off PT scores of 270 like it is nothing then you can easily roll into Airborne School and pass it. You just have to want it and want to and not put out excuses like the one you offer above of your thoughts of being too old.

If two grey hairs (48 and 50 respectively) can go through Airborne and pass it, nearly ace it, then you can.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 6:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 18:03:09 -0400

Shoot. I’m 40. I’d go if someone let me. I was slated to go numerous times in one unit but always got bumped for combat arms folks.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 7:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 19:35:08 -0400

That is such ridiculously bad advice that I could only conclude that whoever told you that actually wants to take your slot for himself. A good friend of mine went through at 41.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 7:40 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 19:40:05 -0400

I went to Airborne school at 34 years old. I had even older guys there with me (including an AF Officer who I believe was in his mid to late 40s). If you can pass an Airborne physical, have no problem running, doing pull-ups, and don't have a fear of heights, you will do fine. However, even the last part (fear of heights) I had and still do, but I got over it because I wanted it.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made May 24 at 2019 9:00 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Fri, 24 May 2019 21:00:40 -0400

Go. I broke my foot all to hell when I was a kid and was afraid I'd mess it up and cut my service time. Now I always wonder if I could have made it though. Do it so you won't always wonder about it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 9:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 21:02:33 -0400

If you want to do it don’t let your mind control what your heart wants to do. If this is something you want go for it, no matter how old you are. If deep down you really don’t want to do it, don’t look for an excuse just justify not wanting or do it. Best of luck soldier.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 9:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 21:14:21 -0400

Yeah, go for it. Airborne school isn't necessarily a physically tough school, in comparison too others. It is a mentally tough school, because of having to learn to manage fear. If you don't have an issues with heights and you are already physically fit, you will likely have a much easier time going through the course than some folks younger than you.

Take the airborne offer.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made May 24 at 2019 10:47 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 24 May 2019 22:47:46 -0400

28 years old, you won't even notice the difference when people talk about recovery they are usually comparing age 40 to age 20. Go to Airborne School and quit listening to people that want to hold you back.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 24 at 2019 11:43 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Fri, 24 May 2019 23:43:09 -0400

I could still make it and I am 70

Response by PV2 Bob Ondown made May 25 at 2019 1:47 AM

PV2 Bob Ondown — Sat, 25 May 2019 01:47:27 -0400

Do you want to be a "LEG" the rest of your life?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 1:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 01:52:16 -0400

Airborne school is not that tough. It's some running around for a few weeks and throwing yourself at the ground, all day, every day, for a week or so. I was 34 when I came back on airborne status after a 13 year break from jumping. Age is nothing. Old paratroopers don't die, they just slip away

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 25 at 2019 8:14 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 25 May 2019 08:14:03 -0400

28, you are young. If you are fit you can handle it. Many Soldiers far older than you have graduated. Think about those that go SF, and other Special Operations, many are far older as well. Tighten your boot laces and jump in. Thank you for your service.

Response by COL Gary Gresh made May 25 at 2019 10:47 AM

COL Gary Gresh — Sat, 25 May 2019 10:47:50 -0400

Up to you. But it’s a relatively easy course for anyone in decent physical condition. It does instill pride, confidence and awareness. It’s also good for your military resume. I’d encourage you to do it

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2019 5:21 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 May 2019 05:21:14 -0400

do it

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 29 at 2019 11:04 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:04:51 -0400

Fricking please, we have seen 35 yr olds make it thru Ranger school.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made May 29 at 2019 1:13 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Wed, 29 May 2019 13:13:42 -0400

I graduated Dive school at 30. Airborne school is kindergarten compared to that. Quit making excuses or you're never going to succeed in the Army.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made May 29 at 2019 3:51 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Wed, 29 May 2019 15:51:28 -0400

At forty (nearly forty-one), I still routinely run three to five miles, two-three times a week...my best time last week was about 28 minutes, though I'll be honest in that my average is about a solid half-hour. I hit the gym a couple of other nights per week, do self-defense classes twice a week (Krav/BJJ), and spend a couple hours on the range almost every Sunday... Doc says I have arthritis (I didn't know it)...my knees look like old chestnuts, and it feels like I permanently have a screw driver stuck in my left shoulder blade... but one of my greatest regrets is that while I was "in", I didn't seek out and complete a training opportunity like the one you have been offered.

I say go for it Brother... you're only getting older, and (speaking from experience) regret/self-doubt hurts a lot more than a few aches and pains.

Response by CW3 Terry Gile made May 29 at 2019 5:19 PM

CW3 Terry Gile — Wed, 29 May 2019 17:19:56 -0400

Wow! That's how old I was when I went to jump school. A 43 year old Chaplain in my company completed the course -- all a matter of attitude. (Have to admit after PT I envied those 18 year old bucks who shook it off a lot easier than I did.) Go for it and just keep a positive attitude...remember all the crap the blackhats put on you is all just a game...an initiation rite.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 9:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 21:42:19 -0400

GO!! and enjoy the chance of a lifetime to change your life. I went and never looked back, just asked myself, " self, why did you wait so long???"

Response by SSG Louis Camacho made May 29 at 2019 10:35 PM

SSG Louis Camacho — Wed, 29 May 2019 22:35:38 -0400

I last jumped when I was about 35 and in my prime physically, so age depends on you and how you take care of yourself. Airborne troops tend to be smarter than legs, work on your spelling and you'll do fine.

Response by COL Michael Doherty made May 29 at 2019 11:27 PM

COL Michael Doherty — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:27:17 -0400

I was 30 and a first lieutenant when I went in 1982; they made me a stick leader. I had no problems at all completing the training in the allotted three weeks.

Response by SGT Martha Cain made May 30 at 2019 2:24 AM

SGT Martha Cain — Thu, 30 May 2019 02:24:09 -0400

Don't hesitate~! Even if it must be a treasured enlistment or reenlistment option & Fort Bragg, N.C. is a fine duty assignment but think it through with your recruiter or career counselor. I was almost 35 when I did BCT & never regretted a choice that changed my life for the better. Consider all your options and not just today's but further on down the road, like special ops, ranger, intel analyst, comms~w/ Airborne ..."the sky's the limit"~!

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made May 30 at 2019 6:44 AM

SGT Michael Hearn — Thu, 30 May 2019 06:44:02 -0400

I was 30 years old and wanted to go airborne to get away from Seneca Army Depot in upstate New York, I knew it would be tougher for me but I hated upstate New York. The 1st Sgt would not release me. now I am 100%SC T&P

Response by SGT Shannon Weaver Logan made May 30 at 2019 6:52 AM

SGT Shannon Weaver Logan — Thu, 30 May 2019 06:52:49 -0400

If you are fit then your age has nothing to do with it. Like others have said it's alot of running and jumping to the ground. I had the chance to go to airborne school and I didn't because my mom was having major surgery. However I was married to a soldier who went to airborne school. As be said becoming a 5 jump chump is easy.

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made Jun 20 at 2019 11:26 PM

SFC Michael Peterson — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 23:26:53 -0400

I did it at 29 without any issues. The oldest guy was a 38 year old Marine Gunnery Sergeant and, he challenged the whole class to a pull up contest and, he won. You're only too old if you think you're too old.

Response by MSgt Robert Flowers made Jul 11 at 2019 3:22 PM

MSgt Robert Flowers — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 15:22:38 -0400

I was in DesertStorm at 50 years old

Response by SGT Adam Wolf made Jul 15 at 2019 8:40 AM

SGT Adam Wolf — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 08:40:56 -0400

If you want to and they will let you go ahead.

Response by CPT Jim Kotva made Jul 15 at 2019 8:55 AM

CPT Jim Kotva — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 08:55:29 -0400

Go for it you will do just fine

Response by PO3 Jason Givens made Jul 16 at 2019 12:37 PM

PO3 Jason Givens — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:37:45 -0400

If you're up to it, go for it! My grandfather joined at 28 and he was in the 101st when they dropped in behind enemy lines the night before D-Day. You got this!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2019 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 15:06:33 -0400

Had the Head Nurse / Chief of Staff of the 44th Medical Brigade attend jump school when she was in her 40s who later completed the jump master course back in the late 1980s. And she was a grandmother. If she can do it at her age, you can do it at your age. Btw: her name was/is COL Susan McCall.