sniper or 101st airborne?

Question

I'm a 15 year old guy. i am joining the army when i turn 18, but i dont know which branch i should go under. i am a very good shot, can run long distances even though i am a little overweight (i have 3 years to lose it), and is up for anything with adrenaline. i wish i could be a sniper in the 101st but i have to decide between the two. please give your comments on what i should do.

i plan on going to college after i get out of the service if i dont plan on making it a lifetime thing. i might be a little young to choose this career, but i know what i want to do in life.

even the 82nd would be nice to join.

Answer 1

It seems only one person who answered this actually realizes that the 101st is not longer on jump status, they are actually Air Assault...the only Air Assault Division in the world. My husband is part of the 101st and is actually his platoon Sniper and is about to get sent to Sniper school. If you really want 101st, then I would reccomend getting Ft. Campbell in your contract. You can do that, but they will take most or all of your enlistment bonus.

You can do both you just have to prove yourself, and Infantry is the way to go.

I also admire your desire to serve your country. My husband was even younger than you when he descided to join and low and behold he did. Your never to young to start looking into the future.

Answer 2

You are a little young to really be centered on something so finite, because your reasoning has little to do with why people are selected for those units. Snipers need ot pass a large battery of psychological testing, as there is likely no other military specialty that poses more risk for the psyche than this. Airborne also requires a tremendoues amount of mental discipline.

If all you are looking for is a brief stint as an enlisted man, then I would reccommment airborne. It will be easier ot get into, serve you better in the logn term, and has more slots available at a lower level of competition.

If you are looking for a career, I would say you may wish to investigate special forces, and an ROTC program that may support you in that. For more information, check out the nonfiction works by Tom Clancy such as "Airborne" "Marine" and "Special Forces." All three titles are likely in the nonfiction section of your library and paint expceptional pictures of life and entry into these organizations. ("Marine" covers the sniper role pretty well).

Good luck.

Answer 3

If you play your cards right you can finish high school, go infantry (then on to sniper school) and still get a college degree while you are in, before you are 23 years old and have it for almost free. It just takes a plan and determination. That is exactly the type of soldiers that today's Army is trying to make. There are career counselors and education advisers at all military bases.

One of the great thing about today is on line college. It is better to study than party all the time (old persons view).

Answer 4

There are Snipers in the 101st (There are Snipers in most Infantry Units)...like the guys said before...even if you are an Airborne Infantryman, you may not go to an Airborne unit...if you really want a challenge be a Ranger...then you will get to jump all the time...

Answer 5

Why would you have to choose between the two? They are not mutually exclusive. Being a sniper involves much more than being a good shot, the school is very demanding and not many pass. Being in the 101st Airborne is not much different from being in any of the other Airborne divisions. Your first hurdle is basic training, advanced infantry training, and Jump school. Even then, you are not guaranteed being assigned to an Airborne division. There were many in my class at Jump school who were assigned to a non-jump company.

Good luck

Answer 6

Yeah, you can be a sniper in the 101st or the 82nd. Hell, if you stay in long enough, you could be a sniper in both at some point... Sniper is just a job title. One of many that fill up a division.

Answer 7

I don't know, both are very honerable, it's good to see people still actually willing to serve their country.

Were are you from?

I think there is a 101st here, maybe that's 181st.

depends on which branch suits you better, what your more into like infantry, flying, naval, etc. or even what area suits you best. You also have to think if you were to serve in a war, were you would be, if that has any influence on your decision.

It's too bad loud mouths that hypocrite loud mouths like the guy towards the top who only has freedom because of people willing to serve, has to be ignorant about it.

I kind of wish I had served, but I have all sorts of problems, they wouldn't want me. I do however really respect the people that do serve, including friends of mine.

Answer 8

Being a sniper in the 101st is okay, but it is a very hard school to get into. Go to a US Army Recruiter and they can fill you in on the requirements of the school and also the physical requirements.
US ARMY(RET) 1958 - 1979

Answer 9

Almost anyone can apply for sniper school, if you meet the requirements. Passing sniper training gets you sniper qualified in your DA201 personal file and thats about it, oh and some points for your nco board and you get to think your a bad ***.

Answer 10

Go with airborne. Sniper just lies there waiting for ONE perfect shot. Sounds boring. In airborne, you get to do stuff. Screaming eagles, though is an air assault element-they don't necessarily jump. They use helicopters to go into a hot zone and you learn to fast-rope from a Blackhawk or Huey, load and unload yourself and your equipment quickly and efficiently so the enemy cannot shoot your Blackhawk down.

Regardless of where you go in the Army, you still shoot rifles, and are required to qualify several times a year, you know.