Army Nurse Corps - Airborne school?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2008

forwaters,

If you are assigned to a unit with the mission entailing 'vertical envelopment' or airborne - then airborne school slots are allotted to units whom prioritize who will go where. Some branches send Soldiers to Airborne school as part of the whole tradoc experience - that branch is Infantry.

Otherwise many say that the hardest part of going to school is being at that post.. ie if you happen to be PCS'd at Benning you could try and squeeze into airborne.. if you are PCS'd at Campbell then you could try to get sling load training etc etc.

I would say there is very slim chance (I'm a science guy so view never as a slim chance ) but overall unless your unit has an airborne requirement it does the unit little good to send you to a school that lands many students somewhat injured for training which takes time, training resources, money - which could be used for students who need this skill as we are an Army at war.

Honestly this question comes up around all OBC students of all branches..and I do support that hooah'ness - but slots are limited, your branch probably doesn't gain by sending you away a month in order to hope you don't get injured and slow your arrival through the pipeling by 3 months.

That being said - my alibi's:

schools have been used as recruiting incentives just recently... if you were a captain in late 90's early 00's you could have choosed to continue service in return for a 'school'...or some cash for certain branches.

Airborne training is only several hundred bucks and much more fun via civilian means.

dorkalicious · Oct 17, 2008

To all the Army nurses out there,
Can Nurse Corps officers go to airborne school? If they can... how difficult is it for a nurse to get a spot? Is it possible to go directly after OBLC?
Thanks all

Ok, my husband and I just spent 8 years at Ft Bragg, home of the 82nd Airborne Division, so I think I can answer this question for you!

It depends on where you are stationed now. If you are with a regualr division, you should have no problem with getting a slot for Airborne school, just check with your S-1 NCO. If you are with Meddac or Traddoc, well, thats a different story. Those units do not get slots very often for these trainings like Airborne and Air Assault. In this case, it is a case to case base, depending on your unit and how often slots open up for you guys.

Bragg wants nothing but airborne soldiers, so they are constantly sending troops down to Benning to school. My husband has been a paratrooper for the past 8 years with the 82nd. I was stationed in Ft Drum prior to getting married and there were constant slots opening up for us to go down to Benning too.

So, like I said, it depends on where you are stationed. If you have not went to OBLC yet, you should still be able to get it in your contract prior to leaving that you are sent directly to Airborne School. That is what my husband did, and got an extra $3k incentive bonus on top of it just to complete it! Hope you are ready for alot of running, because that is the majority of your day there!:typing

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2008

dorkalicious, sounds pretty right on... you need to be heading towards a airborne unit typically for them to have slots in order to give you a slot

You have the a great sign-on name.... I'm very jealous!!!

RN1980 · Oct 20, 2008

send in the paper work for a slot. now providing you get approved for training, you must keep in mind that once you are airborne qualified your chances of being assigned to a airborne operational unit is increased by 50%.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2008

RN1980,

the thread indicated he/she wants to attend airborne after OBC... so who would you suggest generate the paperwork and who who he/she send it to?

My understanding is OBCs would have to be allotted slots...for that S1 section to allot the slot.

Also - I'm curious 1. where a 50% better chance for an airborne unit would be derived from and 2. how many nurses are mtoe'd to a unit that is airborne...

jleathers · Oct 20, 2008

I am in the Army Reserve as a nurse, also wanting to go to airborne. I think the only way I can get this if I haggle for it? I only signed up for 3 years, maybe after that is done to keep me in? Does anyone have any ideas?

I also want to deploy ASAP, I have been in for 18 months, and would really like the experience. I would rather volunteer for deployment than get deployed somewhere I don't want to go. I want to deploy pref. to Iraq or Afghanistan. I have also volunteered through HRC. Does anyone have any great contacts?

Thanks

Jennifer Leathers, RN CCRN

shannonaly · Feb 9, 2009

How was OBC for you.

Pam

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2009

How was OBC for you.
Pam

Shannon,

There is a ton of info on this board about OBC...

here is a thread devoted to it.

https://allnurses.com/military-nursing-uniformed/want-learn-about-354474.html

I'd read and be aware of general things - and aside from that get your personal affairs in order so when you attend you can focus.. and aside from being physically ready.. toooo easy. Don't stress about it - getting there is the hardest part, - be prepared to learn a lot and have a great experience.

v/r

shannonaly · Feb 9, 2009

Thank you so much. I am afraid of the PT requirement because I had an injury in 06-auto accident. I have three herniated disks in my neck and upper back.

I need to find out how to fill out a medical profile.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2009

Shannon - you should read up on your PT requirements - if I am not mistaken regardless of your past history you will still have to pass a PT test... i know there are alternate tests that can be taken for certain reasons.. but I'd look into it a bit if you are sure you can't pass a PT test minimal requirements... you don't fill out a profile a medic referral to a 'doc' or "A will take care of that.

ras9808 · Apr 1, 2009

I am graduating from ROTC in a month and have been stationed at Ft. Bragg. I understand that because of this it will be easier for me to get an airborne slot but is it necessary? Is nurses and medical personnel included in the 'vertical envelopment'?