Airborne School

Becoming a paratrooper at Airborne School is a unique experience requiring special dedication and a desire to be challenged mentally and physically. This three-week course, also known as Basic Airborne Course, teaches Soldiers the techniques involved in parachuting from airplanes and landing safely. The final test includes a non-assisted jump.

The purpose of the BAC is to qualify the volunteer in the use of the parachute as a means of combat deployment and to develop leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.

Airborne Soldiers have a long and distinguished tradition of being an elite body of fighting men and women–people who have always set the example for determination and courage. When you volunteer for this training, you accept the challenge of continuing this tradition. The Airborne Soldiers of the past set high standards–it is now up to you to maintain them!

During Ground Week, Soldiers must pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The Ground Week Airborne instruction begins with an intensive program of instruction to build individual Airborne skills. These skills prepare the Soldier to make a parachute jump and land safely. Students train on the mock door, the 34-foot tower and the lateral drift apparatus.

Tower Week completes the Soldier's individual skill training and further builds team effort skills. To go forward to Jump Week, Soldiers must qualify on the Swing Lander Trainer (SLT), master the mass exit procedures from the 34-foot tower, gain canopy confidence and learn how to manipulate the parachute from the 250-foot tower, and pass all physical training

requirements.

Successful completion of the previous weeks of training prepares Soldiers for Jump Week. During Jump Week, Soldiers must successfully complete five jumps at 1,250 feet from a C-130 or C-17 aircraft. Paratroopers who successfully meet course requirements are granted an additional skill identifier and are authorized to wear the coveted "Silver Wing" on their uniform.

The purpose of the Basic Airborne Course (BAC) is to qualify individuals in the use of the parachute as a means of combat deployment and to develop leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.

Airborne Soldiers have a long and distinguished tradition of being an elite body of fighting men and women — people who have always set the example for determination and courage. When you volunteer for this training, you accept the challenge of continuing this tradition. The highest standards have been set — it is now up to you to maintain them!

Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, Noncommissioned Officer, Enlisted personnel and qualified cadets

Volunteer for the course
Be less than 36 years of age on ATRRS report date
Physically qualify for parachute duty IAW AR 40-501, Hearing Conservation Program Be prepared to pass the APFT with a score of 180 points (60 points per event) using the 17 to 21 year age-group scale as the standard, administered on day one of training.
USMA Cadets must complete Cadet Basic Training
ROTC cadets must be under scholarship or contracted.
Enlisted personnel must have completed Basic Combat Training, OSUT, or other service equivalent training
Commanders selecting personnel to attend the BAC will refer to AR 614-110, Assignment of Airborne Officers and Processing Volunteers for Training and AR 614-200, Enlisted Assignments and Utilization Management for information on airborne volunteer selection and processing

6th Airborne Division (WWII "Phantom" Division)	11th Airborne Division	11th Air Assault Division (Test) (1963-65)
13th Airborne Division	17th Airborne Division	18th Airborne Division (WWII "Phantom" Division)
21st Airborne Division (WWII "Phantom" Division)	80th Airborne Division (1946-1952)	84th Airborne Division (1946-1952)
82nd Airborne Division	100th Airborne Division (1946-1952)	101st Airborne Division
108th Airborne Division (1946-1952)	135th Airborne Division (WWII "Phantom" Division)	71st Airborne Brigade Texas Army National Guard (1968-1973)
173rd Airborne Brigade	187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team	187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team - Variation
508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team	509th Infantry 8th Infantry Division	XVIII Airborne Corps
1st Corps Support Command (Airborne Elements)	16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne)	18th Aviation Brigade (Airborne)
18th Field Artillery Brigade	20th Engineer Brigade (Airborne)	35th Signal Brigade (Airborne)
108th Air Defense Brigade	525th Military Intelligence Brigade (Airborne)	Southern European Task Force (Airborne Elements)
Airborne Troop Carrier Command	1st Special Service Force	Special Operations Command
Army Special Operations Command	1st Special Operations Command (Obsolete)	Army Special Forces
Ranger Battalion World War II (Worn by 2nd & 5th Ranger Battalions before adoption of scroll design)	75th Infantry Regiment (Old)	75th Ranger Infantry (1969-86)
1st Ranger Battalion (Old)	1st Ranger Battalion	2nd Ranger Battalion (Old)
2nd Ranger Battalion	3rd Ranger Battalion	Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command
Airborne Command	1st Allied Airborne Army	Airborne Cap Badge - Enlisted
Airborne Cap Badge - Officer	Joint Readiness Training Center (Airborne Elements)	Infantry School (Airborne Elements)
John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center	Aerial Delivery Department Quartermaster School

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Airborne School