It used to be an attraction at a World's Fair. It was brought to Fort Benning for paratrooper training after the fair was over. I know because I was in the Army, and I did this. AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!!!!!
The original tower was, but the one they use today was purpose-built for jump school. When I went thru in 1990, the old tower was still there but wasn't used. Not sure if it is still standing today or not. AATW!
"keep your feet and knees together, and do not kick up and over airborne... lookin' good, slip to your left and DO NOT KICK UP AND OVER airborne..." most fun i've ever had in the army!!!
I remember this quite well. I did this back in the summer of 1990...C Company, 1st Batallion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. It was hot, but we all made it.
No...anyone can go to Airborne School. If you're signing up, ask your recruiter to get you into Jump School. You don't have to be a certain MOS to be Airborne. If you wait until you're in, then you'll most likely have to wait longer to go to the school...you'll be able to go once your unit commanding officer signs off on your request. It's better to do it before you're assigned to a unit. Good luck...and keep your feet and knees together. AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!!!!
Everyone im leaving next march for my long journey to become a ranger and im terrified of this, not jumping from a plane or getting shot, but getting slowly lifted that high ::
In 2018 we dont use the towers because "they are a complete waste of time, provide almsot no training value, and the welds have been cracking, so we dont want yall to die practicing" -Black Hat