Army offers highest bonuses in years

[oldsoldier1976]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

Well, becoming a paratrooper, or ranger is not easy. Most will wash out. Or is this bonus just for trying?

You have to complete the training to get the bonus.

[GeorgiaTransplant]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

Well, becoming a paratrooper, or ranger is not easy. Most will wash out. Or is this bonus just for trying?

I added some bold. I can't speak to Ranger, but I can speak to Airborne school and being in an airborne unit.

I'm not sure you understand what Airborne school actually entails.

It's not that hard and is only 3 weeks, you just have to be reasonably fit and willing to jump (and Airborne school is static line, not free fall). I don't recall a particularly high attrition rate, and that seemed to be mostly injuries and physical fitness going in-maybe 20%? You can't control injuries, but you can darn sure control your personal physical fitness.

Being in an Airborne unit is typically a *little* harder than a line unit, but also not *that* hard. If one has the qualities of a good soldier, they'll do just fine.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaTransplant

I added some bold. I can't speak to Ranger, but I can speak to Airborne school and being in an airborne unit.

I'm not sure you understand what Airborne school actually entails.

It's not that hard and is only 3 weeks, you just have to be reasonably fit and willing to jump (and Airborne school is static line, not free fall). I don't recall a particularly high attrition rate, and that seemed to be mostly injuries and physical fitness going in-maybe 20%? You can't control injuries, but you can darn sure control your personal physical fitness.

Being in an Airborne unit is typically a *little* harder than a line unit, but also not *that* hard. If one has the qualities of a good soldier, they'll do just fine.

And the “airborne” bonus is for being assigned to airborne units. Thousands complete the school but most are not in airborne units. The bonuses are to pay for the additional stress (damage) and tighter physical requirements of being assigned to airborne units. Also high deployment and optempo.