The most challenging aspect of Airborne School is consistently identified as the Friday morning run.
This particular physical test stands out not just for its demanding nature, but because failing to complete it successfully is often an immediate disqualifier from the entire course. It serves as a crucible moment, demonstrating the severe consequences of physical and mental exhaustion. The intensity of this run is such that even highly capable individuals can be removed from the program; for example, an officer of Major rank, slated for a permanent change of station to Fort Bragg, was dismissed from his class after failing to complete the Friday run.
Understanding the Demands of Airborne School
Airborne School, located at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) in Georgia, is a rigorous three-week program designed to train soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines in static-line parachuting techniques and prepare them for airborne operations. Each week introduces new challenges, culminating in the required five jumps from an aircraft.
The school is typically divided into three distinct phases:
- Ground Week: This initial phase is highly physical, focusing on developing the fundamental skills required for safe parachute landings. Training includes the Parachute Landing Fall (PLF), intensive physical fitness training, and simulated aircraft exits. The Friday morning run occurs at the end of this demanding week, testing accumulated fatigue and resilience.
- Tower Week: Building upon Ground Week, this phase introduces trainees to various elevated platforms, including the 34-foot towers and the 250-foot free-fall tower. These exercises help build confidence and reinforce proper exit and landing procedures before actual jumps.
- Jump Week: This is the culmination of the training, where students perform five qualifying static-line jumps from a C-130 or C-17 aircraft. Successfully completing these jumps earns the coveted Parachutist Badge.
Why the Friday Run is So Challenging
While every phase of Airborne School presents unique difficulties, the Friday morning run holds particular weight due to several factors:
- Cumulative Fatigue: It takes place at the end of Ground Week, after days of intense physical exertion, drill, and repetitive training. Students are often already physically drained.
- High Stakes: The direct consequence of "falling out" (failing to keep pace or complete the run) is immediate removal from the school. This puts immense pressure on trainees to push through their limits.
- Mental Fortitude: Beyond physical endurance, the run tests a candidate's mental toughness and determination to not give up, even when exhausted.
| Phase | Primary Focus | Key Challenges | Significance of Friday Run During/After This Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Week | Physical conditioning, PLFs, harness training | High physical exertion, repetitive drills, heat acclimation | The ultimate physical gatekeeper before advancing. |
| Tower Week | Heights exposure, exit procedures, confidence building | Overcoming fear of heights, precision, procedural adherence | N/A |
| Jump Week | Actual static-line jumps, airborne operations | Managing anxiety, executing procedures under pressure | N/A |
The strict adherence to physical standards and the unforgiving nature of the Friday run underscore the U.S. Army's commitment to ensuring that only the most physically and mentally robust individuals earn the title of an Army Paratrooper. For more details on the training, visit the official U.S. Army Airborne School website.
