HALO QUALIFIED NON SF

[mwatson]

Gentlemen,
Background: My current Battalion commander claims to be HALO qualified. He is an FA officer and has NOT been SF, Ranger, etc.. His claim is that he made 2 combat HALO jumps in Afghanistan.

Question 1: Under what circumstances would an FA Officer make 2 combat HALO jumps into Afghanistan that is not SF qualified?

Question 2: Can an Officer/NCO/WO be HALO qualified when not in SF?

I currently hold a B license from the United States Parachute Association and have had conversations with him about freefall and the difference between MFF and civilian jumping. His answers weren't satisfying

I'm skeptical.

Your comments?

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by mwatson

I'm skeptical.

Your comments?

Me too.

I'm not aware of any SOF MFF infils into Astan.

I smell pure BS.

Why don't you ask him something harmless like when did he go through MFF training and his MFF #.

If we had his name we can ask the MFF committee to verify his MFF status. If you like PM me.

Team Sergeant

[Dozer523]

Yeah, good idea. Call your senior rater on it.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Dozer523

Yeah, good idea. Call your senior rater on it.

I would, in front of everyone......

[Bill Harsey]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I would, in front of everyone......

From the Team Sergeants School of Diplomatic Protocol and Rapid Career Advancement.

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Dozer523

Yeah, good idea. Call your senior rater on it.

If he's found to be wearing unauthorized awards, especially as an O-5 in a command position, I'm guessing he won't be his senior rater for long.

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by Razor

If he's found to be wearing unauthorized awards, especially as an O-5 in a command position, I'm guessing he won't be his senior rater for long.

Nicely put

Is he wearing the dual stains on his wings too???

Eagle

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Me too.

I'm not aware of any SOF MFF infils into Astan.

Team Sergeant

We have this one listed from Sep 2006 message:

Southeastern region of Afghanistan (Free Fall), 1735Z to 1800Z hours, inclusive, 3 July 2004.

75th Ranger Regiment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment, Team 3

http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/go0610.pdf

If it was class'ed he shouldn't be talking about it anyway

Eagle

[Swank]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I would, in front of everyone......

Me too. The second your career becomes more important than the mission, it's time to find another job IMO.

Of course, I would have my homework done and know the impending arguements and actions two and three actions/effects deep also.

[Sinister]

Documented.

MFF-qualified FA guy? Huh? Recently?

TWO mustard stains?!

I've had several MFF-qualified support guys, but the moons and stars had to align for them to be in the right place at the right time.

I'd have to see it and read it to believe it.

[Soft Target]

Originally Posted by Sinister

Documented.

MFF-qualified FA guy? Huh? Recently?

TWO mustard stains?!

I've had several MFF-qualified support guys, but the moons and stars had to align for them to be in the right place at the right time.

I'd have to see it and read it to believe it.

Numerous riggers have gone to MFF school. I did after I left Group and was working on a MFF test project when I went in '81. Of course, having sport jumped over the previous years with several Committee members didn't hurt.

[Warrior-Mentor]

Originally Posted by mwatson

Gentlemen,
Background: My current Battalion commander claims to be HALO qualified. He is an FA officer and has NOT been SF, Ranger, etc.. His claim is that he made 2 combat HALO jumps in Afghanistan.

Question 1: Under what circumstances would an FA Officer make 2 combat HALO jumps into Afghanistan that is not SF qualified?

Question 2: Can an Officer/NCO/WO be HALO qualified when not in SF?

I currently hold a B license from the United States Parachute Association and have had conversations with him about freefall and the difference between MFF and civilian jumping. His answers weren't satisfying

I'm skeptical.

Your comments?

Unlikely at best. Ask him when he went through MFF... anyone who really went should at least be able to tell you the month & year - and wouldn't be offended to tell you. You can also ask him where he went to MFF.

As for Question 1...hard to imagine. Rangers have used MFF infil in Afghanistan - when or why to bring an FA officer... tough. Is he JTAC qualified?

As for Question 2, the answer is yes, but slots are very hard to come by. Non-SF slots include Riggers and Rangers (other SOF). Regimental, Corps and Division LRS get some slots as well.

[Richard]

This would be a good one to present to the Adjutant to ask about...and the sooner, the better before he gets his Bn Cmd block checked and moves on to bigger things--e.g., War College and Colonel, etc.

Maybe ask the Adjutant how this could be so if the guy wasn't assigned to an SF/Ranger/LRSU unit. He should also have a copy of his HALO diploma in his personnel file--maybe have the Adjutant ask for one to complete/update his records--and a copy of the jump manifest to request authorization for the combat jump stars as well as the HALO qualification annotated on his ORB (Officer Record Brief). If he did perform such duty in OEF, there would also be orders for parachute duty and a record of his being paid HALO $$ during the time he was there. I'll bet it ain't there.

This sounds like typical wannabe BS and this guy needs to be exposed as his 'Demonstrates Integrity' block on his OER is in the minus category and this is a definite career ending move on his part.

Richard's $.02

[18C4V]

maybe it was a tandam jump.

[mwatson]

Originally Posted by 18C4V

maybe it was a tandam jump.

A tandem combat jump, now that's funny.

Update: My BN CDR is currently on a 2 week suspension while a 15-6 investigation is complete....MTF.