What the life like as a PFC in the 82nd as 11B?

2021-03-17T23:07:26-04:00

I graduate jump school tomorrow and then head to the 82nd what is the life style as a private? What are team leaders and squad leaders looking for in a new private showing up to their first unit?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 11:27 PM

2021-03-17T23:27:53-04:00

I just left the 82nd ABN. It is one of the most fast paced units in the Army. They will expect a lot out of you. Then you will sit around until you go 100mph again. If you want to succeed there you will want to go to Ranger School ASAP. Since you are a PFC you can already go. When you get to your unit you need to get your bearings and they go to SURT. It is the 82nds Pre Ranger Program. Once you finish that you will be going to Ranger School that weekend. I will warn you that I have never seen so many wild things happen there in the 82nd. It felt like we had a permanent spot on Army WTF Moments. I would avoid others that are shady. I can't tell you how many young guys had their careers ended by going to a house party and then getting caught on base being drunk. We don't have time for that. The 82nd is the only unit in the Army that maintains an Immediate Reaction Force on a large scale. At any given moment there is a BN there that is on call. If you have an issue and can't deploy then they don't need you. I have never seen so many people separated out of the Army than I have seen in the 82nd. The motto there is that you will "Jump, Fight, Win, TONIGHT!"

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 11:37 PM

2021-03-17T23:37:12-04:00

Keep your head out of your 4th point of contact, stay out of the clubs, stay out of the barracks bunnies, don't buy that Challenger/Camaro/Mustang, show up 15 minutes early to be on time. You are a cherry, and therefore you know nothing, so you will keep your eyes and ears open.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Mar 18 at 2021 10:16 AM

2021-03-18T10:16:40-04:00

You're cherry
Listen and learn
Stay out of trouble
Trust your NCOs
Don't spend all your money on non-durable goods

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 18 at 2021 8:22 PM

2021-03-18T20:22:05-04:00

Spent 15 yrs in 82nd. Mouth shut, ears open. Move fast, move smart. The time for whining was at AIT, not now. Get a Ranger handbook, know your job and the slot above you. Travel light cause you will carry it all on your back. Get close to the old hands and listen close. Watch for tricks of the trade= spare poncho liner in spare poncho= sleeping bag, spare blanket sown into spare poncho = cold water sleeping bag. Shoot, move and communicate. They don't have time to raise kids, but train men. Become a true grunt master. Little food, lil sleep, lots of weight lots of field and deployments.

Response by SGT Carl Forsman made Mar 20 at 2021 9:59 AM

2021-03-20T09:59:02-04:00

Anyone the 82nd page that is here has been the "cherry", you will do your "cherry jump" your "cherry dump", most likely, even though hazing I am sure is not legal, well was never legal, it is still a natural occurring thing where the guys who are there try to figure out who the fuck you are. So, no matter how much big brother cuts down on getting your ass drunk and hanging you out of the window in your fart sack or making you low crawl through the gravel naked, tent pools optional, Since non of that happened to me back in 87, I got to believe there are a lot of tall tails, though there were occasional guys jailed for pulling some stupid shit, and well that only means they finally got caught.
On the main issue, you will do well to keep your actions tight, and squared away. At no time will any paratrooper not fuck with you, If you are doing the right thing, yet not exactly a walking regulation, you can perform military a ridged "stick up your ass" mode or do your best in practice to make it seem flowless and natural. Be careful about how loose and familiar you get with the fellows till you completely know the lay of the land. Remember, your joining an 16 to 18k group of people who have a complete and total mindset of "run to the sound of gunfire and shoot anyone there not dressed like me" and give damn near 0 fucks about dying. I would say that the ones that give 0 fucks about dying also are, outside the cover of a command are plays and straight up Alpha's. You being an Alpha walking in the door, well, you had better be one of the baddest fuckers alive This time in life the guys who are much older than you, have the alpha rank and are still under 50 will completely waste you physically, mentally and have seen years of combat experience.
What I am saying out of all this is have sense of humor, don't get put out if you wind up the butt of a joke, don't Fucking do anything stupid, once you are knocked off your feet, just get back up and move forward. The rule in life is not if a man is knocked down, but does he get back up, and does he keep getting up. Eye forward chin up so the can smack it again, build your career not anyone else's, never go back on your word no matter how much discomfort it causes for you. Do all of these things plus what other brothers are going to tell you and the men you want at your back are going to be the men that respect you. Oh and once you pick a path, stick to it, don't flip flop around. Never forget the number one rule,,,,"don't get excited" You fuck up when you get excited.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2021 2:01 AM

2021-03-21T02:01:42-04:00

Have fun. lol.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 21 at 2021 2:22 AM

2021-03-21T02:22:20-04:00

Congratulations on jump school graduation

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2021 8:23 PM

2021-03-25T20:23:06-04:00

Welcome and be nice to your 88Mikes that delivers your ammo, water and food and we will always supply you in time so you can win always

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2021 1:04 PM

2021-03-28T13:04:43-04:00

Depends on your unit and team leader. But I suggest learning your “joe knowledge” packet front and back first. Don’t slack off on your physical readiness, work out on your own time as well. I do suggest going to Ranger school right away. That tab will make your life in the 82nd much better. Take practice RPFTs up til they send you to SURT. You’re fresh out of Airborne school so don’t slack off on that run time. The 82nd loves to run. Be willing to learn, and be ready for your team leader to have you give a class on what you learned. As an infantryman in the 82nd you need to look cool, know what you’re doing, and if you don’t at least look cool doing it. It’s all about confidence in the face of uncertainty. Be sure your uniform is always squared away, don’t have things hanging out of your cargo pockets, don’t have your beret looking a mess, take pride in your appearance. As an 82nd PFC keep your hair in regs. If 1sg sees you looking like you’re trying to be some sort of operator it’s your team leader that gets chewed out. Try to guess how your day is going to be after that.
Anyways, putting all of that aside. The paratroopers you work with will become your closest friends. You are about to experience brotherhood like no other. Something about “going through the suck” together, creates lifelong connections and people that will always have your back. Enjoy this. I cannot stress enough. There will be days you have no idea why you’re just sitting around til 1800 there will be days where you’ve humped a ruck 20k after a night time combat jump. The paratroopers to your left and right will see you through it all. Please do not fall to irresponsible drinking decisions. Do not go into questionable clubs or places. Remember, everyone in Fayetteville can tell that your a paratrooper even in civilian attire. We stand out. So represent the greatest fighting force in the world proudly and honorably. Good luck to you brother.