Airborne Wings

Airborne All The Way!

Earn your jump wings at Fort Moore, Georgia. Three weeks of ground training, tower work, and live parachute jumps that forge the Army's airborne warriors.

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3 Weeks — 3 Phases — 1 Badge

Phases
Ground Week — Fundamentals
Week 1
1-507th Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), GA 31905
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Duration5 Days
LocationFort Moore, GA
FocusPLF & aircraft procedures
PT StandardRuns, pull-ups, flutter kicks
Key Events
PLF TrainingMaster 5-point landing
Mock DoorC-130/C-17 exit drills
Lateral DriftApparatus training
Emergency ProceduresReserve deployment
Harness TrainingSuspended harness drills

Ground Week teaches the fundamentals of military parachuting. Students learn proper body position for exiting aircraft, the five points of contact for parachute landing falls (PLFs), and emergency procedures for malfunctions.

Physical training is intense — daily PT sessions include runs, push-ups, pull-ups, and flutter kicks. The lateral drift apparatus and suspended harness build confidence and muscle memory for actual jumps.

Students practice mock-door exits from C-130 and C-17 mockups, learning proper body position, count, and check procedures. Any failure to demonstrate safe technique results in additional training or dismissal.

Ground Week Training
  • Parachute landing falls (PLFs) — front, left, right, rear
  • Mock door exits — proper shuffle, hand placement, body position
  • Lateral drift apparatus — simulates wind drift
  • Suspended harness training — canopy control, steering
  • Emergency procedures — reserve chute deployment
  • Aircraft orientation — C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster
  • Physical fitness — runs, pull-ups, push-ups, flutter kicks
Tower Week — Heights & Confidence
Week 2
Duration5 Days
LocationFort Moore, GA
FocusTower exits & mass procedures
Key Events
34-Foot TowerControlled exits
250-Foot TowerFree-drop training
Swing LandingTrainer apparatus
Mass ExitStick procedures

Tower Week advances training to the 34-foot tower for mock-door exits and the iconic 250-foot free-drop towers. Students practice mass exits, wind drift corrections, and equipment rigging while continuing intense PT.

The 34-foot tower simulates aircraft exits with a zip-line descent, building confidence for actual jumps. The 250-foot towers — visible landmarks at Fort Moore — lift students under an open canopy and release them for a controlled descent, closely replicating the final portion of a parachute jump.

Tower Week is where many students face their fear of heights. Refusal to exit the 34-foot tower results in immediate dismissal from the course.

Tower Week Training
  • 34-foot tower exits — controlled descent via cable
  • 250-foot tower drops — free-fall under open canopy
  • Swing landing trainer — landing under oscillation
  • Mass exit procedures — stick formation and timing
  • Equipment rigging — combat loads and weapon cases
  • Wind drift theory — steering and landing zones
  • Continued intense PT and PLF practice
Jump Week — Earn Your Wings
Week 3
Duration5 Days
LocationFryar Drop Zone, Fort Moore
AircraftC-130 / C-17
Altitude1,250 ft AGL
Requirements
Total Jumps5 (minimum)
Combat Equipment≥ 1 jump
Night JumpOptional (Hollywood)
Refusal to JumpImmediate dismissal

Jump Week is where it all comes together. Students execute five live static-line parachute jumps from C-130 or C-17 aircraft at 1,250 feet above ground level. At least one jump is conducted with full combat equipment.

Each jump builds on the last — starting with a basic "Hollywood" (no equipment) jump and progressing to full combat loads. Weather delays are common, and students may wait hours in full kit before jumping. Refusal to jump at any point means immediate dismissal.

Successful completion of all five jumps earns the Basic Parachutist Badge — "jump wings" — one of the most recognized badges in the U.S. military. Graduation day is typically Friday of Week 3.

Jump Week Progression
  • Jump 1 — Hollywood (no equipment), individual exit
  • Jump 2 — Hollywood, mass exit
  • Jump 3 — Hollywood or combat equipment
  • Jump 4 — Combat equipment jump (weapon, ruck)
  • Jump 5 — Final qualifying jump
  • Graduation — Pinning of Basic Parachutist Badge
Seasons
Winter — Cold Mornings, Wind Delays
Dec – Feb
Avg High52 – 58 °F
Avg Low32 – 37 °F
Rain3.5 – 4.5 in/mo
Wind ImpactWind delays jumps frequently
Jump Week RiskWeather delays extend course
Biggest ThreatCold early-morning PT

Winter at Fort Moore is mild but wet. Morning PT in 30-degree temps is a shock for students from warm climates. Jump Week wind holds are more common, potentially extending the course by days.

Winter Gear Tips
  • Polypro cold-weather base layers for PT
  • Fleece cap & glove inserts (authorized under kit)
  • Waterproof boots — DZ is muddy
  • Extra socks — wet boots are the enemy
  • Neck gaiter for early morning formations
Spring — Pollen & Perfect Temps
Mar – May
Avg High68 – 82 °F
Avg Low44 – 60 °F
Rain3.5 – 4.5 in/mo
PollenExtreme — Georgia pine
ThunderstormsIncreasing in May
Best ForComfortable PT weather

Spring is the best season for Airborne School. Temperatures are comfortable, rain is manageable, and jump conditions are generally favorable. Bring allergy medication — Georgia pollen is brutal.

Spring Gear Tips
  • Allergy medication — Georgia pollen is extreme
  • Light layers for morning-to-afternoon swings
  • Rain jacket — afternoon showers are common
  • Sunscreen for outdoor PT and DZ time
  • Break in boots early — rain softens leather
Summer — Georgia Heat Is No Joke
Jun – Aug
Avg High89 – 93 °F
Avg Low68 – 72 °F
Humidity70 – 80%
Heat IndexOften 100°F+
Heat CasualtiesMost common season
Biggest ThreatHeat exhaustion during PT

Georgia summer is brutal. Heat index regularly exceeds 100°F. Heat casualties are the #1 non-training-related drop reason. Hydration discipline is critical — cadre enforce water consumption but you must acclimatize before arrival.

Summer Gear Tips
  • Hydration system — drink before you're thirsty
  • Electrolyte packets — essential during PT
  • Extra undershirts — you will soak through multiple daily
  • Gold Bond / anti-chafe — humidity causes issues
  • Arrive 1-2 weeks early to acclimatize
Fall — Cool Temps, Great Jump Weather
Sep – Nov
Avg High70 – 85 °F
Avg Low46 – 65 °F
Rain2.5 – 3.5 in/mo
WindGenerally calm
Jump ConditionsExcellent
Best ForBest overall weather

Fall is arguably the best time for Airborne School. Heat has broken, winds are generally calm, and jump conditions are excellent. The fiscal year starts in October, so the first classes are fresh with new students and full cadre energy.

Fall Gear Tips
  • Light layers — mornings are cool, afternoons warm
  • Standard packing list is sufficient
  • Broken-in boots — don't bring new footwear
  • Sunglasses for DZ — low autumn sun angle
  • Lip balm — wind on DZ dries skin fast
Class Calendar

Airborne Course Schedule

BAC runs approximately every two weeks. Find your class and start preparing. Source: 1-507th Student Information.

FY26

ClassReport DateGraduationSeason
BAC 01-2614 Oct 202531 Oct 2025Fall
BAC 02-2628 Oct 202514 Nov 2025Fall
BAC 03-2618 Nov 202505 Dec 2025Fall
BAC 04-2602 Dec 202519 Dec 2025Winter
BAC 05-2606 Jan 202623 Jan 2026Winter
BAC 06-2620 Jan 202606 Feb 2026Winter
BAC 07-2603 Feb 202620 Feb 2026Winter
BAC 08-2624 Feb 202613 Mar 2026Spring
BAC 09-2610 Mar 202627 Mar 2026Spring
BAC 10-2624 Mar 202610 Apr 2026Spring
BAC 11-2607 Apr 202624 Apr 2026Spring
BAC 12-2628 Apr 202615 May 2026Spring
BAC 13-2612 May 202629 May 2026Spring
BAC 14-2602 Jun 202619 Jun 2026Summer
BAC 15-2616 Jun 202602 Jul 2026Summer
BAC 16-2607 Jul 202624 Jul 2026Summer
BAC 17-2621 Jul 202607 Aug 2026Summer
BAC 18-2604 Aug 202621 Aug 2026Summer
BAC 19-2618 Aug 202604 Sep 2026Summer
BAC 20-2608 Sep 202625 Sep 2026Fall
BAC 21-2622 Sep 202609 Oct 2026Fall
Prepare Now

5% Wash Rate Doesn't Mean Easy

The physical standards are absolute. The mental challenge of stepping out of a perfectly good aircraft is the real test.

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Resources

Don't Be That Airborne Student.

Every failure at Airborne School has a type. We built a fix for each one.

💪
Bad PLF?

Parachute landing falls are everything. Master the five points of contact before you arrive or risk injury and dismissal.
😰
Afraid of Heights?

The 34-foot tower separates the willing from the unwilling. Mental prep and exposure training starts here.
💤
Can't Do Pull-Ups?

Pull-ups, push-ups, and the 2-mile run are daily. Show up physically ready or get recycled in Ground Week.
🎒
Missing Gear?

Packing list compliance is non-negotiable. Our Airborne gear shop has every item on the list.
💨
Bad Exit?

A poor aircraft exit means a bad canopy. Learn the door procedures cold before you set foot on the bird.
🌡
Heat Casualty?

Georgia heat is brutal. Hydration plans and heat acclimatization protocols keep you in the fight.
Course Overview
21
Total Days
5
Live Jumps
3
Phases
~95%
Grad Rate
~22
Classes / FY
15K+
Annual Grads
Graduation Rates
2019
93%
Graduated
2020
94%
Graduated
2021
95%
Graduated
2022
94%
Graduated
2023
95%
Graduated
Failure Breakdown
Common Drop Reasons
Physical Assessment Failure~2%
Safety Violations~1%
Injury (training or jump)~1.5%
Voluntary Withdrawal (refusal)~0.5%
Key Context
Ground Week Drops~60%
Tower Week Drops~25%
Jump Week Drops~15%
Most drops happen in first week—

Key Takeaway: Physical fitness and following instructions are everything. Airborne School has one of the highest pass rates in the Army — if you show up in shape and do exactly what you're told, you will earn your wings.

I am the American Paratrooper. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am my country's best. I am trained and ready to fight, and if necessary, to die in defense of my people and the United States of America. I was born to lead, and I follow no one, for the road I take, others will follow.

I am a Paratrooper, an elite soldier. I am a static-line, combat-jump qualified Paratrooper. I volunteer to be part of the greatest fighting force the world has ever known — America's All-American Airborne.

I shall never fail my fellow paratroopers, for they depend on me as I depend on them — in battle and in peacetime. Together we are a team ready to be called by our Nation at a moment's notice.

I shall never bring dishonor to my unit, the Airborne, the Army, or my country. I am a Paratrooper, and I have the discipline and courage required of me by my role as a combat-ready soldier.

I am a soldier of America's Army, and proudly I will be — Airborne All The Way!

Airborne All The Way!
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