Whats so popular about going Airborne in the Army?

Question

I don't know much about it but from what I've been reading on here it seems like there is a lot of hype about it? Any reason why? Im just trying to educate myself =)

Answer 1

It means you have pride, discipline, courage, honor. It opens the door to become even better. Ranger, Special Forces, SEALS, ForceRecon, ParaRescue. Marines that are retired call themselves "Former" Marines. Not "Ex" Marines. So it is with an Airborne trooper.
The experience, the thrill, the courage to put your "knees in the breeze" stays with you all your life.

Answer 2

Army airborne units have so much tradition, like the 101 Screaming Eagles and the 82 All American. Have you seen Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and so forth. These units have been in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Granada, Desert storm, Mogadishu, Afghanistan, our current conflict, and future conflicts to come. This one of the top reasons. For example my wife's grandfather, father, and brothers were/are in the 101 Airborne. Not to mention the adventure and one of a kind experience. A tradition and something you can look back at, the 101 and 82 have never been defeated.

Answer 3

I think the best way to answer this question for you is that the Airborne got "invented" in WWII. Life magazine did a front page article about what the Airborne did, and mentioned the fact that they would be paid 500.00 more per month to be in the Airborne if they could muster the training. The other notion about the old Airborne is that those men were parachuted "behind" enemy lines, where as any other Air Force division dropped in within friendly territory. I think too that the Air Force, even with all it's jets and training on Air Craft carriers, has privates and other infantry men who package supplies to be dropped into areas where our GI's need them. I may be wrong, but I think that is where the supieriority came from. It wasn't until later that a bunch of Canadians whom were given accomodations for their war experience were hooked up with an American military contingent of guys who were known "strong men", but incourageable trouble makers---these were known as Rangers. Now Rangers are more or less associated with fires in Mountainous areas. In WWII the Rangers scaled cliffs and took over high ground in the southern Italy coasts. Hope this answers your question.

Answer 4

Dear Ambitious27:

I joined the Army in 1968 and became Airborne shortly there after and I consider myself, still yet today, being Airborne all the way. It wasn't hype as you describe it, it was about Honor, Character and Readiness that attracted me.

good question

Answer 5

Good question!! As a happy "leg", I don't see what all the glamour is about. All the career airborne Soldiers I know all have knee problems and can barely walk. If you want to jump out of planes, join a skydiving club.

Answer 6

A Rite of Passage, you did something most wouldn't.
Your average Marine isn't Airborne

Way back when I realized being Airborne meant either Ft Bragg or Ft campbell most of the time. That was the end of that.

Answer 7

If your in Airborne, you jump out of an airplane while it is up there. This is both a reason to join and avoid it.

Answer 8

beside the additional pay for being on jump status and those nifty airborne wings, it serves as a career progression indicator when it comes time for promotion; airborne troops rate that one point higher than non-airborne troops...

Answer 9

Because it is a tough course, and not everyone can complete the difficult training. Membership in this elite unit is considered prestigious compared to regular infantry and other Army functions.

Answer 10

I spent 4 years in the 82nd Airborne,the thrill, the jump pay, pride, honor,blossed jump boots, knowing your the best trained and all you can be, No leg.