Airborne School

Airborne consists of three weeks of training: ground week, tower week, and jump week. Each week builds on the previous culminating in actual jumps from a plane (hence jump week.) Soldiers will have most evenings and weekends off, but be aware that that time may be short. During the week Paul was free from about 6-6:30 to 10 (curfew.)  Weekend curfew was a bit more generous at 11pm (2300 for all of you transitioning to military time.)   

An Exercise in Flexibility
Paul was scheduled to begin Airborne the Monday after OSUT Graduation. He was put on medical hold and had to take a test the following Tuesday, after passing that he had a few days off (which was wonderful.) My plan had been to be in Georgia for just the three weeks. Then he was told to report the the next Sunday for a two week hold that was just going to be maintenance details, etc. The next morning I received a text saying he had just reported for processing for Airborne and would be tentatively graduating the at the end of the month. The point of this story is don't make plans for anything, ever. Just kidding, the real point is that during training things change quickly and make sure you are financially prepared for that expectation! 

Catching the Jumps
Family and friends are more than welcome to watch any of the jumps during the final week of Airborne School. They take place at Friar Drop Zone, which is actually located in Alabama, for anyone using a GPS. Visiting the drop zone does not require going through a gate, so the best way to get there (the western side of the fort) is to just drive around it. The first time I went it took me a good hour of navigation, wrong turns, and few tears to find it! 

Jump times are usually posted on the Airborne School's Facebook page, but be aware, things change quickly. The weather in Georgia/Alabama in the summer is pretty near unpredictable and often jumps are put on hold to wait out a storm. Soldiers jump in flights ranging from 15 to 30 per plane so be prepared to spend several hours at the drop zone if you want to see YOUR soldier jump (which you won't actually know until you see them walking back toward you.) Overall, it's a very cool experience and well worth the wait, jump changes, and weather! 

Graduation

Airborne School Graduation is a fairly small affair that takes place on Airborne Walk, usually the Friday morning of the third week. Still, it is well done and signifies a great accomplishment. The soldiers march in, perform a few cadences, the honor graduates are presented and then family and friends are invited to pin the "silver wings" onto their soldier. If there are any second generation Airborne Soldier's, they are pinned first! After graduation things can move quickly or slowly, it just depends on the class. Paul had 11 hours to move to another base, other soldiers were put on hold for a few weeks!