Students will need the following items: 3-5 sets of BDUs (officers should have cloth rank for safety reasons); 6 brown undershirts (black is not authorized); 2 BDU caps; blue issue BDU belt with black buckle; 2 black all leather issue boots (broken in); identification tags with chain; civilian running shoes; 2 heavy duty padlocks; and other items as necessary. A gortex/field jacket with liner and gloves is required between Oct and Mar. Only civilian clothing in good taste should be worn off duty. The school will issue all field equipment.
| Fort Benning | USA | | Columbus, OH 00000 |
ADMINISTRATIVE
INFORMATION
BAC ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS. Commissioned
Officer, Warrant Officer, Noncommissioned Officer, Enlisted personnel and qualified cadets
must:- Volunteer for the course.
- Be less than 36 years of age on the date of application.
- Physically qualify for parachute duty IAW AR 40-501.
- 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. APFT have been administered not more than 30 days prior
to date of application. Applicants must be able to complete a 4-mile run within
36-minutes (9-minutes per mile).
- Prior to attending the BAC, volunteers must be able to meet certain essential military
training prerequisites. The basic military education requirements are:
- USMA cadets must complete Cadet Basic Training.
- ROTC cadets must complete their second year of military science (MS-2) and either the
Basic or the Advanced Camp.
- Enlisted personnel must complete basic combat and advanced individual training, OSUT, or
other service equivalent training.
- Commanders selecting personnel to attend the BAC will refer to ARs 614-10 and 512-200
for information on airborne volunteer selection and processing.
- REPORTING TO AIRBORNE SCHOOL. Students
report to Building 2748, Student Accountability NLT 1200 on the class report date. (See
map following page.)
HOW TO GET TO AIRBORNE SCHOOL
The major highway leading onto Fort Benning is I-185. Travel on I–185 through
Columbus, GA past Exit 1 (Victory Drive), stay on the divided highway until you come to
First Division Road (the yield sign at the end of the road), bear to the right, and then
follow the map. Building 2748 is on the southwest corner of Eubanks Field (250-foot Free
Towers) and adjacent to the north side of Infantry Hall. Students must arrive NLT 1200 on
their designated report date. Personnel who arrive after 1200 will either roster and train
in the next scheduled class or will be returned to their duty station. When you report: Wear your BDU. - Meet the grooming standards outlined in AR 670-1.
- Arrive with the following documents: - ORDERS. Ten copies of the order, or DA Form 1610 with fund cite, which assigns or
attaches you to the 507th Infantry for airborne training. BAC volunteers may
not attend the course in a leave, permissive TDY, or permissive jump status.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. A physical examination, dated not more than 12 months before class
start date (18 months for cadets), that indicates you are qualified for Airborne Training
IAW AR 40-501. SF 88, Block 5, Purpose of Exam should read "Airborne Training"
and the qualified box in Block 77 must be checked and "Airborne" entered.
Volunteers over 35 years of age must have an EKG and an approved medical age waiver
accompanying the physical exam.
NOTE: VOLUNTEERS OVER 35 YEARS OF AGE
(GENERAL OFFICERS, FIELD GRADE OFFICERS, WARRANT OFFICERS [W-3 THROUGH W-5] AND ENLISTED
PERSONNEL IN PAY GRADE E-5 AND ABOVE) MAY ATTEND THE BAC WHEN GRANTED AN AGE WAIVER. WHEN
THE EXAMINING MEDICAL OFFICER DETERMINES THE VOLUNTEER IS PHYSICALLY CAPABLE OF COMPLETING
THE BAC THE STUDENT’S UNIT COMMANDER MUST SUBMIT A MEMORANDUM STATING THE VOLUNTEER
IS PHYSICALLY FIT FOR AIRBORNE TRAINING.
- DA FORM 705, ARMY PHYSICAL READINESS TEST (APFT) SCORE CARD. The APFT must have been
administered not more than 6 months prior to the reporting date. (USN and USMC
volunteers are given the APFT by the USMC liaison prior to reporting to the BAC. USAF
volunteers must present a memorandum that validates the volunteer's physical fitness test
score.)
- HEALTH AND DENTAL RECORDS, FINANCE RECORDS, FIELD 201 FILE. Volunteers reporting to the
BAC in a PCS or TDY enroute status must have these records in their possession.
INPROCESSING
ACTIVITIES. Promptly at 1200 on
the reporting date, the designated fill company will conduct inprocessing. The
inprocessing sequence of events includes Adjutant General, finance, transportation, room
assignment, equipment issue, and platoon/squad assignment. Inprocessing students should
not expect to be released earlier than 1800 hours.
BAC
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. The
following is a list of the minimum uniform, clothing, personal, and hygiene items required
during the BAC:- Military identification card.
| - Identification tags: One long and one short chain interlaced, with one ID tag per chain.
One key, any medical alert badge and barracks pass (if issued) are allowed to be suspended
from the chain.
| - Military issue eyeglasses 2 pair, as required. (Due to fragility of civilian eyeglasses,
it is suggested they not be worn during BAC training.)
| | - BDUs with appropriate rank, insignia, nametapes, and branch tapesminimum 3 sets.
| | | - Brown undershirts or other service authorized undershirts (worn with BDUs) 5 each.
| | - Standard issue combat boots (Boots should be broken in and must be highly shined; spit
shine is not required.) 2 pair.
| - Cushion soled socks (for wear with boots) 5 pair.
| | - Civilian white athletic socks 5 pair.
| | | | | - Heavy duty padlocks 2 each.
|
NOTES: 1. AR 40-5, PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND AR 40-63, OPHTHALMIC SERVICES
DO NOT AUTHORIZE CONTACT LENSES FOR WEAR IN FIELD (DIRTY OR DUSTY) ENVIRONMENTS. BECAUSE
BAC STUDENTS ARE TRAINED IN A DIRTY, OR DUSTY, ENVIRONMENT CONTACT LENSES CANNOT BE WORN
DURING BAC TRAINING. 2. BAC STUDENTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO WEAR JUNGLE-BOOTS BOOTS WITH TOE AND HEEL
CAPS (e.g., "JUMP BOOTS"), AND BOOTS WITHOUT HEELS (e.g.; BOOTS WITH FLAT,
WAFFLED, OR RIPPLED SOLES). 3. WHITE ATHLETIC SOCKS WILL HAVE NO STRIPES OR COMMERCIAL PRODUCT MARKINGS AND
WILL EXTEND BEYOND THE ANKLES TO NEAR MID-CALF. ATHLETIC SOCKS, WHICH EXTEND ONLY TO THE
ANKLE, ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR. 4. DURING WINTER SEASON (OCTOBER-MARCH) PERSONNEL MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN MILITARY
ISSUE GLOVES WITH LINERS, BLACK WATCH CAP, AND AUTHORIZED COLD WEATHER JACKET (i.e., FIELD
JACKET WITH LINER, OR GORTEX-LINED WATER PROOF PARKA). 5. The airborne school issues all items of organizational equipment (ta-50)
required for airborne training (e.g., helmet, poncho, and canteen). STUDENT
MILITARY APPEARANCE AND INSPECTION STANDARDS.There will be a roll call inspection on Friday of the
report week to familiarize you with roll call, inspection standards, and procedures.
Personnel from Reserve Components, National Guard, and other services, or countries, will
wear Standard Issue BDU or fatigue (utility) type uniforms for training. Jungle-boots,
boots with toe and heel caps (e.g., "jump boots"), and boots without heels
(e.g.; boots with flat, waffled, or rippled soles) are not authorized for wear by BAC
students during jump week. ALL students will comply with U.S. Army Regulations concerning
grooming. MORNING
INSPECTIONS | | Inspections are conducted the
morning of each training day to ensure there are no deficiencies in the following areas: | | Hair. Hair will be cut
to the standards contained in AR 670-1. | | Face. Male students
will be clean-shaven unless a valid medical shaving profile has been issued. Students will
NOT wear make-up in the training area. | | Helmet. Helmets will
be inspected by the company trainers to ensure that the helmets are properly rigged and
serviceable. | Uniform.- BDU shirt and trousers, cold weather jackets, black gloves with inserts, and brown
undershirts will be clean and serviceable IAW AR 670-1. NO corporate
advertisements, logograms, or printing are authorized on undershirts. Uniforms will NOT
be starched.
- Belts will be clean, serviceable, and worn IAW the student's branches of service.
- Boots will be shined to a high luster, free of all dirt or sawdust, and laced prior to
the first work formation.
| | Military
identification card and identification tags. One long and one short chain interlaced,
with one ID tag per chain. One key, any medical alert badge, and barracks pass (if issued)
are allowed to be suspended from the chain. |
NOTES: - NO JEWELRY WILL BE WORN IN THE TRAINING AREA. ONE DESIGNATED STUDENT PER CLASS WILL WEAR
OR CARRY A WATCH.
- MALE STUDENT'S HAIR WILL BE TAPERED AT THE BACK OF THE NECK.
- FEMALE STUDENTS WILL ENSURE THEIR HAIR DOES NOT EXTEND BELOW THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE BDU
SHIRT COLLAR.
- STUDENT HEADGEAR IN THE TRAINING AREA IS A SERVICEABLE PARACHUTIST'S HELMET.
PERSONAL
CLOTHING AND CIVILIAN CLOTHING APPEARANCE STANDARDS. Wall locker storage space for personal clothing in
the billets is limited. However, a reasonable amount of appropriate civilian clothing may
be brought to the BAC. Soldiers at Fort Benning are expected to wear appropriate civilian
clothing and present a neat, clean, military appearance during off-duty time. Students
must be aware that Fort Benning Regulation 600-5, which addresses the wear of civilian
clothing on Fort Benning, is strictly enforced in on-post facilities. Examples of clothing
prohibited for wear in on-post facilities are: clothing which presents a provocative
appearance, dirty clothing, underclothing worn as an outer garment; mesh T-shirts,
"muscle shirts", tube tops, tank tops, bikini swim suit tops, any shirt which
has had the sleeves cut off, or clothing that presents a ragged or torn appearance;
modified items of military clothing (cut-off BDU trousers, BDU jackets with the sleeves
cut-off or shortened), the Army PT uniform, clothing with profanity written or printed on
it, shorts which do not present a proper or tasteful appearance, or shower shoes. Soldiers
are expected to comply with all changes to AR 670-1 that impact personal appearance
standards while in civilian clothing.PERSONAL CONDUCT. Students attending the BAC are expected to conduct
themselves in an appropriate and disciplined manner, on-, and off-duty. BAC students are
not authorized to consume alcoholic beverages within 24-hours prior to a training day and
are not authorized to possess alcoholic beverages in the billets. Students who violate
provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) will be quickly disciplined, and
may be permanently dropped from airborne training with subsequent assignment as a
non-graduate.MONEY
REQUIREMENTS. While each student must
bring sufficient money for personal expenses, the student should not bring more than
$50.00 in cash. Additional funds should be in traveler's checks or money orders. Money
orders should be made out in the student's name before arrival.BILLETING. Barracks. Housing will be provided in the training company area barracks for all
enlisted personnel in the pay grades E-1 through E-7. Soldiers are required
to clean their living areas daily and to perform additional duties as directed.
BOQ/BEQ. BOQs for TDY status Commissioned or Warrant Officers and BEQs for NCOs
(E-8 and E-9) are available on a limited basis. Contact the Fort Benning Billeting Office
at (706) 689-0067 for booking BOQ/BEQ space.
PCS Status Personnel. Post Guest House lodging is available to PCS status
personnel. Contact the Fort Benning Billeting Office at (706) 689-0067 for booking.
Family Members Visiting Fort Benning for BAC Graduation. Post Guest House (The
Gavin House) lodging is available to the student’s family members who are at Fort
Benning for a short time to view Jump Week jumps and attend the BAC graduation ceremonies.
Contact the Fort Benning Billeting Office at (706) 689-0067 for booking.
DINING FACILITIES. Student officer and enlisted personnel may eat in the battalion
dining facilities (DFAC). During Jump Week, Officer students are required to eat DFAC
provided meals.
MAIL. The S-1, 1-507TH Infantry maintains a roster of all personnel in
training. Before your arrival at Fort Benning have your mail addressed to: (YOUR NAME), (YOUR SSN) Headquarters, 1st Bn (Abn), 507th Inf Fort Benning, GA 31905 Upon arrival and assignment, substitute your assigned company to expedite mail
delivery. Do not have mail sent to you during the third week of training; you will soon
graduate and redirecting of mail will result in mail delivery delay. LEAVE AND
PASS POLICY.
Leaves. Leaves during the course are only granted for valid emergencies; the
Company Commander approves emergency leaves. After graduation, if the student has a
follow-on assignment within the continental U.S., he will normally be granted 10
days leave. Students being assigned to units not within the continental U.S. may be
granted up to 30 days leave.
Passes. During non-duty hours, students are normally free to travel within a
50-mile radius of Fort Benning, GA without a valid leave form. Travel outside a 50-mile
radius requires an authorization from the Company Commander. You must return well rested
and on time for company designated formations and training. PHYSICAL
TRAINING (PT) You must be physically fit before you start the BAC. The physically weak are more
likely to either not complete the course because of an injury, or fail the course due to
an inability to qualify on the training apparatuses. You will have PT the first period
each day, followed by seven hours of demanding, vigorous training.
Typical PT Session. You must qualify during daily PT by completing the
exercises and distance run. Of the 5 daily runs, any student who fails to complete two
runs in a week will be eliminated from training. A typical daily PT session includes
stretching warm up exercises, calisthenics maintenance exercises, and a 2.4 to 4 mile
formation run. Males and females run in the same formation during PT and the average pace
is 9-minutes per mile. This policy treats all BAC students as equals and meets current
XVIII Airborne Corps standards.
BAC Daily Run Schedule
WEEK | DAY | DISTANCE | PACE | GROUND | 1 | 3.2 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 2 | 2.4 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 3 | 2.4 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 4 | 2.4 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 5 | 2.4 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | TOWER | 1 | 4.0 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 2 | 3.5 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 3 | 3.5 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 4 | 3.5 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE | | | 5 | 3.5 MILES | 8:45 - 9:15
PER MILE |
PT Uniform. - Summer (APRIL thru SEPTEMBER): Brown undershirt, BDU trousers rolled to ankle height or
slightly above ankle height, civilian running shoes, and white athletic socks.
- Winter (OCTOBER thru MARCH): BDU shirt, brown undershirt, BDU trousers rolled to ankle
height or slightly above ankle height, civilian running shoes, and white athletic socks.
Cold weather jacket (field jacket or Gortex jacket), black watch cap and gloves may be
directed for wear.
The purposes of the BAC are to: 1. Qualify the BAC student in the use of the parachute as a means of combat deployment.
This qualification is accomplished by: - Developing the student's confidence though repetitious training to overcome the
student's natural fear of jumping from an aircraft while in flight.
- Maintaining the level of physical fitness required of a military parachutist through
daily physical training.
- Qualifying the student as a parachutist by performing five satisfactory parachute jumps
from an aircraft in flight.
2. Develop a sense of leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through
mental and physical conditioning.
BAC course content and structure:
The BAC is divided into three training weeks: Ground Training Week, Tower Training
Week, and Jump Training Week. The training starts at the individual level and progresses
to a team effort.
GROUND TRAINING WEEK (WEEK 1)
During Ground Week, you begin an intensive program of instruction to build individual
airborne skills, prepare you to make a parachute jump, and land safely. You will train on
the mock door, the 34-foot tower, and the lateral drift apparatus (LDA). To go forward to
Tower Training Week, you must individually qualify on the 34-foot tower, the LDA, and pass
all PT requirements.
TOWER TRAINING WEEK (WEEK 2)
The individual skills learned during Ground Week are refined during Tower Week and a
team effort or "mass exit" concept is added to the training. The apparatuses
used this week are the 34-foot towers, the swing landing trainer (SLT), the mock door for
mass exit training, and the suspended harness. Tower Week completes your individual skill
training and builds team effort skills. To go forward to Jump Training Week you must
qualify on the SLT, master the mass exit procedures from the 34-foot tower, and pass all
PT requirements.
JUMP TRAINING WEEK (WEEK 3)
Successful completion of the previous weeks of training prepares you for Jump Week.
Graduation is normally conducted at 1100 on Friday of Jump Week at the south end of
Eubanks Field on the Airborne Walk. However, if weather, or some other reason delays the
scheduled jumps, graduation may be conducted on Fryar Drop Zone (DZ) after the last jump.
Guests and family members are welcome to observe all of the jumps at the DZ, attend the
graduation ceremony, and participate in awarding the wings. Fryar DZ is located in Alabama
on the Fort Benning Military Reservation. Following graduation you are allowed to depart
for leave, or your next duty assignment. Guests and family members may qualify for
billeting privileges at the Gavin House on Fort Benning. They can determine their
billeting eligibility by calling the Fort Benning Billeting Office at (706) 689-0067. This
strip map on the following page shows the route from the Gavin House to Fryar DZ. HISTORY OF TRAINING THE AMERICAN
PARATROOPER
Perhaps no military development has been so revolutionary as the employment of
paratroopers. Certainly, none has been so spectacular! Shortly after World War I, General Billy Mitchell proposed that parachuting troops from
aircraft into combat could be effective. During the demonstration of his concept at Kelly
Field at San Antonio, Texas, six soldiers parachuted from a Martin Bomber, safely landed,
and in less than three minutes after exiting the aircraft had their weapons assembled and
were ready for action. Although the U.S. observers dismissed the concept, not all of the observers arrived at
the same conclusion. The Soviets and Germans were impressed with the demonstration. In the
USSR, static line parachuting was introduced as a national sport and the population was
encouraged to join the Russian Airborne Corps. The German observers eagerly grasped the
idea and planners worked quickly to develop an effective military parachute organization. For the first time, in August 1930 at Veronezh, Russia, Soviet paratroopers
participated in military maneuvers. Their actions were so effective that a repeat
performance was given in Moscow one month later. The Germans effectively developed their airborne forces and, at the start of World War
II, used parachute troops in their spearhead assaults. Spurred by the successful employment of airborne troops by the Germans in their
invasion of the Low Countries, U.S. military branches began an all-out effort to develop
this new form of warfare. Controversy surrounded the effort and the various branches made
several colorful proposals. The Air Corps made the most unique proposal. Its staff
proposed that the Air Infantry be called "Air Grenadiers" and be members of the
"Marines of the Air Corps." In April 1940, following the controversies, the War Department approved plans for the
formation of a test platoon of Airborne Infantry to form, equip, and train under the
direction and control of the Army's Infantry Board. In June, the Commandant of the
Infantry School was directed to organize a test platoon of volunteers from Fort Benning's
29th Infantry Regiment. Later that year, the 2d Infantry Division was directed to conduct
the necessary tests to develop reference data and operational procedures for
air-transported troops. In July 1940, the task of organizing the platoon began. First Lieutenant William T.
Ryder from the 29th Infantry Regiment volunteered and was designated the test platoon's
Platoon Leader and Lieutenant James A. Bassett was designated Assistant Platoon Leader.
Based on high standards of health and rugged physical characteristics, forty-eight
enlisted men were selected from a pool of 200 volunteers. Quickly thereafter, the platoon
moved into tents near Lawson Field, and an abandoned hanger was obtained for use as a
training hall and for parachute packing. Lieutenant Colonel William C. Lee, a staff officer for the Chief of Infantry, was
intently interested in the test platoon. He recommended that the men be moved to the Safe
Parachute Company at Hightstown, NJ for training on the parachute drop towers used during
the New York World's Fair. Eighteen days after organization, the platoon was moved to New
Jersey and trained for one week on the 250-foot free towers. The training was particularly effective. When a drop from the tower was compared to a
drop from an airplane, it was found that the added realism was otherwise impossible to
duplicate. The drop also proved to the troopers that their parachutes would function
safely. The Army was so impressed with the tower drops that two were purchased and erected
at Fort Benning on what is now Eubanks Field. Later, two more were added. Three of the
original four towers are still in use training paratroopers at Fort Benning. PLF training
was often conducted by the volunteers jumping from PT platforms and from the back of
moving 2 1/2 ton trucks to allow the trainees to experience the shock of landing. Less than forty-five days after organization, the first jump from an aircraft in flight
by members of the test platoon was made from a Douglas B-18 over Lawson Field on 16
August, 1940. Before the drop, the test platoon held a lottery to determine who would
follow Lieutenant Ryder out of the airplane and Private William N. (Red) King became the
first enlisted man to make an official jump as a paratrooper in the United States Army. On
29 August, at Lawson Field, the platoon made the first platoon mass jump held in the
United States. The first parachute combat unit to be organized was the 501st Parachute Battalion. It
was commanded by Major William M. Miley, later a Major General and Commander of the 17th
Airborne Division, and the original test platoon members formed the battalion cadre. The
Civilian Conservation Corps cleared new jump areas and three new training buildings were
erected. Several B-18 and C-39 aircraft were provided for training. The traditional
paratrooper cry "GERONIMO" was originated in the 501st by Private Aubrey
Eberhart to prove to a friend that he had full control of his faculties when he jumped.
That cry was adopted by the 501st and has been often used by paratroopers since then. The 502d Parachute Infantry Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William C. Lee
with men from the 501st as cadre, was activated on 1 July, 1941. The 502d was far below
strength, and 172 prospective troopers from the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, NC
were needed. The response to Lieutenant Colonel Lee's call for volunteers was startling:
more than 400 men volunteered, including many noncommissioned officers who were willing to
take a reduction in rank ("take a bust") to transfer to the new battalion. Airborne experimentation of another type was initiated on 10 October, 1941 when the
Army's first Glider Infantry battalion was activated. This unit was officially designated
as the 88th Glider Infantry Battalion and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Elbridge G.
Chapman, Jr. Lieutenant Colonel Chapman later became a Major General and commanded the
13th Airborne Division. As more airborne units were activated, it became apparent that a centralized training
facility should be established. Consequently, the facility was organized at Fort Benning
on 15 May, 1942. Since that date, the U.S. Army Parachute School has been known by a
variety of names: The Airborne School (1 January, 1946); Airborne Army Aviation Section,
The Infantry School (1 November, 1946); Airborne Department, The Infantry School
(February, 1955); Airborne-Air Mobility Department (February, 1956); Airborne Department
(August 1964); Airborne-Air Mobility Department (October, 1974); Airborne Department
(October, 1976); 4th Airborne Training Battalion, The School Brigade (January, 1982); 1st
Battalion (Abn), 507TH Parachute Infantry, The School Brigade (October, 1985); and the 1st
Battalion (Abn), 507TH Infantry, 11th Infantry Regiment (July, 1991). Although several types of headgear insignia have been worn by parachute and glider
organizations since 1942, an insignia peculiar to the Airborne was not authorized until
1949 and did not appear in Army Regulations until 1956. The authorization was first
mentioned in AR 670-5 (dated 20 September, 1956), which stated, "Airborne insignia
may be worn when prescribed by commander...The insignia consists of a white parachute and
glider on blue disk with a red border approximately 2 1/4 inches in diameter
overall." In December, 1943, the all black "555th Parachute Infantry Company
(Colored)", later redesignated Company A, 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (and
remembered by many as the "Triple Nickel"), arrived at Fort Benning for airborne
training. This training event marked a significant milestone for black Americans in the
combat arms. The first troops in the unit were volunteers from the all-black 92d Infantry
Division stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After proving their skills, the battalion
was not sent overseas, but was deployed to the western United States for "Operation
Firefly," dropping in to fight forest fires set by Japanese incendiary balloons in
the Pacific Northwest. During this mission, the 555th earned the nickname the "Smoke
Jumpers." In 1948, after full integration of the Armed Forces was finally effected,
black Americans were finally given their full rights as American combat paratroopers and
made their first combat jump while attached to the 187th Regimental Combat Team during the
Korean War. On 14 December, 1973 another milestone in Airborne history was established when
Privates Joyce Kutsch and Rita Johnson became the first women to graduate from the Basic
Airborne Course. Following graduation from a modified, but rigorous, airborne course the
two women successfully completed the U.S. Army Quartermaster School Parachute Rigger
Course and were assigned to Aerial Delivery Companies at Fort Bragg, NC. Since then, women
do not attend a modified airborne course, but complete the full course and meet the same
standards as their male counterparts. Airborne unit combat records tell stories of extreme valor. From the first combat jump
during World War II in North Africa, paratroopers have fought with a spirit,
determination, and tenacity that captured the respect of the world. Future events will
continue to find the American paratrooper in the forefront of hostilities. U.S. ARMY JUMPMASTER SCHOOL MISSION. The U.S. Army Jumpmaster
School trains personnel in the skills necessary to Jumpmaster a combat equiped jump, the
proper attaching, jumping, and releasing for combat and individual equipment while
participating in an actual jump, and demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in the
Jumpmaster Personnel Inspection by successfully inspecting three rigged jumpers within 4
minutes and 30 seconds (with a score of 70, or higher, and miss no major discrepancies).
PREQUISITES. Active Army and Reserve
Component Officers and noncommissioned officer personnel. Must be in the grade of SGT, or
above. All students must be qualified and current (jumped within six months or attended
jump refresher) paratroopers, have a minimum of 12 static line parachute jumps from USAF
high-performance aircraft, and have been on jump status for 12 months. Must be recommended
by his Battalion Commander, or Officer in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Officer and
enlisted personnel must have a current valid physical examination less than 12 months old.
Applicants must have passed the APFT within 6 months of entry with a minimum score of 180
points (60 points in each event using applicant’s age group). Medical examination
(Standard Form 88) and DA Form 705 (APFT Scorecard) must accompany the individual when
reporting for training. Additionally, individuals must have their individual DA Form 1307
(Jump Record) closed out by their unit. Students must meet the Army height/weight
standards.
SPECIAL INFORMATION. USMC enlisted
personnel (CPL and above) may attend this course if they are volunteer-qualified military
paratroopers who have completed at least 15 static line jumps from high-performance
aircraft (USAF or USMC). All commanders must ensure applicants report to and sign in at
Bldg 2748 (Student Accountability) on the report date (Sunday). Student inprocessing
begins at 0600 Monday morning. All service members report with a current physical,
identification tags, identification cards, 10 copies of orders, and 2-1. Graduates must
attain a passing score of 70 points for each graded event. Students must demonstrate
jumpmaster personnel inspection proficiency by successfully inspecting two rigged jumpers
and one combat equipped jumper in 5-minutes, and miss no major deficiencies. WAIVERS. The submission of requests for waiver
is discouraged; course prerequisites have specific rationale and are well established.
However service member’s may request the waiver of a specific course prerequisite.
Those waiver requests will be submitted in memorandum format through the member’s
Battalion Commander (or, first O-5 in the chain-of-command), through Commander, 11th
Infantry Regiment, USAIS, Fort Benning, GA 31905, to the Commander, 1st
Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry, 11th Infantry Regiment, Fort
Benning, GA 31905. All requests for waiver will address a specific prerequisite and
contain a complete justification and persuasive argument for granting the waiver. Waiver
request submission does not ensure favorable consideration.
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