Ground Training (Week 1) Week 1 is spent at the “ground branch.” All students, regardless of branch of service, must pass a standard US Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) at the 17-21 year old standard for your gender on the first day. In addition to the APFT you must be able to do a proper pull-up and hold yourself in that position for ten seconds. You will conduct physical fitness training every morning at BAC, and the training alternates between formation runs and circuit training (grass drills, log PT, etc.) If a student falls out of more than one formation run, he will be removed from the course. Students must run everywhere they go at BAC, unless they are inside of a building. In addition, every time a student enters or leaves the company area, he must do ten pushups and ten pull-ups. It consists of an intense program designed to build individual skills that will prepare you to make a parachute jump and land safely. During this week, you will become well acquainted with the mock door, the 34-foot tower, and the lateral drift apparatus (LDA). In order to continue to week 2 you must qualify on the 34-foot tower, the LDA, and pass all PT requirements.
Tower Training (Week 2) Week 2 builds on the skills learned in week one and you
will be introduced to a team effort or "mass exit" concept. You will use the swing landing trainer (SLT), suspended harness (SH), 250-foot free tower, and the wind machine ( There is no wind machine at BAC; there is one at HALO .) Also, you will continue to train on the 34 foot tower, but this time as part of a “stick” of several jumpers, and will train using simulated combat equipment (simulated rucksack and weapon case .) Week 2 completes the individual skill training and builds team effort skills. You must qualify on the mass exit procedures, the SLT, and pass all PT requirements to go to the 3 rd week of training.
Jump Training (Week 3) Its time to jump! You will not be allowed to enter this week if you have not mastered the skills taught in the previous two weeks of training. During this week, you must complete five qualifying jumps. A review before your first jump will further prepare you for any problems that might arise. You must know what to do in case of malfunctions and aircraft orientation, be organized, and demonstrate the skills that will allow you to complete a successful jump. Any student caught adjusting his equipment after having been inspected can be automatically removed from the course. You will do two “ Hollywood ” jumps (jumps without any extra equipment,) two combat equipment jumps and either a night jump or an extra “ Hollywood ” jump. You must complete all five jumps in order to graduate and receive your wings. Unless restricted by the lack of jump aircraft or weather, graduation is normally conducted on Friday of week three at the Airborne Walk. Guests are welcome to observe jumps at Fryer Field, watch graduation, and participate in awarding the wings.
AIRBORNE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Entrance Requirements:
Volunteer for the course.
Be less than 36 years of age on the date of application. (Volunteers in the pay grade E5 and above may be considered for an age waiver when the examining medical officer recommends that such a waiver be granted. Medical age waivers must be submitted through the Commander, 1st Battalion [Airborne], 507th Infantry to the Assistant Commandant US Army Infantry School .)
Physically qualify for parachute duty IAW AR 40-501.
Pass the APFT with a score of 180 points (60 per event) using the 17-21 age scale.
Upon arrival, complete a 4-mile run in formation within 36 minutes (9 minutes per mile).
Reporting to Airborne School : When you arrive to attend the Basic Airborne Course (BAC), report to the S1 (Student Accountability), 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry Regiment, Building 2748, Fort Benning , GA 31905 .
Wear a seasonal duty uniform.
Meet grooming standards outlined in AR 670-1.
Arrive not later than 1000 hours on your class report date (usually Friday) and possess the following documents:
1. Ten copies of orders/DA Form 1610 with fund cite assigning or attaching service member to the 507th for airborne training.
2. A physical examination form taken not more than 12 months before the class start date. To be valid, block 5 of Standard Form (SF) 88 must indicate that the purpose of the examination is for airborne training. Block 77 of SF 88 must state that the volunteer is "qualified for airborne training." Volunteers who are over 35 years of age must have an EKG and medical age waiver with their physical exam.
3. DA Form 705, Army Physical Readiness Test Score Card. The test must have been administered not more than 30 days prior to the date of application.
4. Finance records. Only volunteers who are reporting to the BAC in a PCS status or attending the training TDY en route to another duty station must report with their finance records. All other BAC volunteers are not required to do so.
Inprocessing Inprocessing will be conducted within the company area by the designated company. At 1200 hours on the class report date (Friday) no more students will be accepted to allow inprocessing to begin promptly at 1300. Personnel who arrive after 1200 hours will be placed in the next class. The Fill Company will direct the inprocessing sequence of events to include: adjutant general, finance, transportation, room assignments, equipment issue, and platoon/squad assignments. Inprocessing will last about four hours. Students should not expect to be released earlier than 1700.
Packing List
Military identification card
Identification tags with long and short chains
Military eyeglasses, if required (2 pair) NOTE: Civilian glass are not authorized. Contact lenses are not authorized for use in field (dirty or dusty) environments by AR 40-5, Preventive Medicine and AR 40-63, Ophthalmic Services. Therefore, contact lenses of any type are not to be worn during the BAC.
BDUs with appropriate insignia, name tapes, and branch tapes (minimum three sets).
Web belts (2).
Buckle, subdued.
BDU cap.
Standard issue combat boots, broken in and highly shined (two pair)
NOTE: Jungle boots and boots with toe and heel caps are not authorized for wear by BAC students.
Civilian running shoes.
Brown undershirts or service authorized undershirts (5).
Undershorts (5).
Cushion-soled socks (5).
Boot shining gear.
Towels (3).
Washcloths (3).
Toiletries.
Heavy-duty key padlocks (2).
Appropriate civilian attire (limited amount). Each student should bring enough funds ($100 to $200) to defray personal expenses.
NOTE: During the winter season (October to March), US Army personnel must provide their own gloves, pile cap, and field jacket with liner. USMC, USN, and USAF personnel are authorized to wear Gortex-lined waterproof parkas instead of the issue field jacket.
Billeting Billet space will be provided within the company barracks for all enlisted personnel (E1 through E7). Bachelor quarters for officers and NCOs (E8 and E9) in a TDY status are available on a limited basis for about $17 per night. The post guest house facilities are only available for PCS status (in/out) personnel.
Dining Facilities Soldiers receive meals in one of the two battalion dining facilities (DFAC): Normandy and Rhineland Regimental Messes. Student officers may also eat in the DFAC. During jump week, officers are required to eat all meals in the DFAC.
Organizational Equipment All organizational equipment required for airborne training (helmet, poncho and canteen) is issued by the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry.
Mail The S1, 1/507th (ABN) Infantry maintains a roster of all personnel in training. It is recommended that only emergency mail be sent while attending Airborne School . Therefore, before arrival at Fort Benning and being assigned to a company, you may have your mail addressed to:
(Your Name),
(Your SSN)
Headquarters, 1st BN (ABN), 507th IN REGT
Fort Benning, GA 31905
Upon arrival and assignment, you may substitute your assigned company to further expedite mail delivery.
Leave Leave during the course are only granted for valid emergencies. Emergency leave must first be approved by the Battalion Commander and then processed by the company. Valid emergencies may be transmitted to Fort Benning 's Red Cross representative.
The operating hours and phone numbers are: Hours: Monday thru Friday 0800 to 1700 After hours and on weekends 1700 to 0800
Phone Numbers: (706) 545-5194 or (706) 682-0080 (706) 545-2118
During non-duty hours, you are normally free to travel within a 50-mile radius of Fort Benning without a valid leave form. You must return well rested and on time for company-designated formations. Travel outside a 50-mile radius requires an approved leave/pass granted by the Battalion Commander.
