An update from an 18X currently at Airborne School:
First week of Airborne school complete. Utterly embarrassing for a lot of people. We had people here, who already went to selection, got selected and washed out of ABN school due to PT test failure. Just embarrassing. Hand quite a few 18Xs got kicked out due to failure to comprehend training. Basically, after tons of PLF practice and 32ft tower jumps, they couldn't get the form down and got dropped.
I noticed a common theme of this group, was their lack of understanding what they truly are getting into. All they have our hopes of earning their Green Beret so they can grow beards, wear after market gear and walk around post like they are hot shit. They were the guys that ran out and bought the JFK ABN unit patch day one, yet PT and act like they still belong in basic or a support MOS. We went from a class of 419 to 330 in a week. Not to mention, basic rule following. We get told not to stay out or drink/ go off post because our pass was cancelled, yet these guys don't have the discipline to follow these simple instructions. A few got caught, and they are gone.
Also, supplements are a big problem also. Guys can't hit the gym without taking 10 scoops of 4 different supplements that are unauthorized anyways and a few have already been caught with more to follow. Believe it or not, a few even failed the 20 second flex arm hang. Bias is shown towards other branches, foreigners and officers, so it puts a spotlight on all 18xs and other young Army guys.
-BREAK-
A few thoughts-
1-Supplements are not going to get you to where you need to be. They might provide that edge to put you over the top, but you WILL NOT have supplements to rely on when you are on your 30th mile of the trek.
2- As you can see, these 18x's who failed the PT test are likely the ones who blew off PT in OSUT. Their fate was sealed when they thought they would be good to go.
3- It is absolutely comical that guys WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED are failing the Airborne PT test. Are you kidding me? You HAVE NOT made it until you have spent a year on an ODA. Not when you get selected, not when you walk across that stage, and not when you sign into your unit. You are probationary and you should keep your mouth shut until you have been through at least a year on your first ODA.
4- Too many guys are showing up to the teams with shitty attitudes. You would think most of them have deployed and are BTDT kind of guys, but it is really quite the opposite. I have no idea where this entitled attitude comes from, but if it continues it will get guys killed. Currently, you cannot tell these new guys ANYTHING.
5-Being humble goes a long way. The same guys who want to show the world that they are SF, or even in SF training are the first ones to go. DO NOT count your eggs before they hatch.
Its the same old song, you think guys would start to listen.
