Can I be a female Paratrooper?

[Anonymous]

I just want to know if women are allowed to go to jump school and such. I've not been able to find that answer on the web.

-Mels

Mels@sanctuary.org

[Anonymous]

Mel,

Yes you can be a Paratrooper (already female right :-) ). But as with anything there is a catch. You can go to Airborne (paratrooper) school and earn your wings but it is very hard to get assigned to an Airborne unit (those that actually still jump from planes once done with school) as a female. Here is the reason. The Army has only one Airborne Division the 82nd get assigned here and you will more than likely be able to still jump, and one Brigade in Italy that are on jump status. All the others on jump status (meaning again they still jump from planes after the school) are the elite units that females are currently not assigned too such as Delta, Special Operations (Green Berets ie Special Forces) and Ranger Battalions. Females are allowed in Support of these units although not large numbers so you may have hope there. Other than this most women (and men for that matter) attend the school and never jump again with the military, meaning that they don't get the extra pay either. So yes you can become a Paratrooper but after the school unless assigned to one of these units don't expect to use the skill that often. Good luck to ya and keep the gung-ho attitude you seem to have now and you can make it. Actually you can even have "jump school" as it is called placed in your contract when you enlist so check it out with a recruiter.



pritro454@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

Will add to Prito's that there are active jump slots available at the 101st also. Although the primary thrust of the 101st is Air Assault, there are many units that have jump required slots.

Will also add another thing. Jump qualification always helps in matters of promotion when you are a female. Even if you don't get to use the skill, it says something for you when you appear before promotion boards. Not so much in the point category, but in the perception of the board. There are not many schools that give the "illusion" of combat readiness that females can attend, this is one and people look at you twice if you have the wings.

[Anonymous]

: Will add to Prito's that there are active jump slots available at the 101st
: also. Although the primary thrust of the 101st is Air Assault, there are
: many units that have jump required slots.
:
: Will also add another thing. Jump qualification always helps in matters of
: promotion when you are a female. Even if you don't get to use the skill,
: it says something for you when you appear before promotion boards. Not so
: much in the point category, but in the perception of the board. There are
: not many schools that give the "illusion" of combat readiness
: that females can attend, this is one and people look at you twice if you
: have the wings.


If you are interested in jump school look up this website www.benning.army.mil. This website gives all the information needed about jump school. Also jump school and Airborne school are different the only way to go to jump school is if you are an E-5 or higher. The Fort benning web page has answered many of my questions. It gives great details of what is expected and what the qualifications are for all schools that are specialist in the Army.

zmiranda@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

: I just want to know if women are allowed to go to jump school and such. I've
: not been able to find that answer on the web.
:
: -Mels


Here's an easy way, yeah right, to get jump wings and be assigned to an AIRBORNE unit. Go for Rigger. That's the MOS that packs the chutes and you have to be jump qualified. It's a lot of responsibility but it's worth it. Good luck.

traumahead@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Being a rigger is definitely a great way to get assigned to an airborne unit. Also, your recruiter has the ability to check and see which MOS's are under-strength. Just be forewarned- if you get into the 82nd with an understrength MOS, you are stuck... so make sure it is something that you will like doing.

Best of luck to you, if you want to email me with questions, feel free.



colleen@airbornewomen.com