Your Name (as you would like it to appear): Evelyn

Your Soldier's MOS (please include code and description, for example "11B Infantry")

92R Parachute Rigger

When did your soldier attend?

We both attended.  I went in May of 2000. 

Where was he stationed for AIT?

Rigger school is in Fort Lee, VA.  You also have to go to Ft. Benning for Airborne School.

How long was his AIT?

Rigger school was 10 weeks, but if I remember correctly that included 3 weeks AOC (Airborne orientation course) and Airborne school.

If you get there and there are not enough people to fill the class, you will sit and wait for more soldiers to come.  I had to sit there an extra 3 weeks!

What was his training like? Normal schedule? Did he train on weekends? Late at night? Classroom or field based?

When you get out of Basic, you go to Fort Lee first to take AOC.  IT is three weeks of nothing but PT.  It sucks, but it is well worth it.  They p.t. you harder than Airborne school, so that AB school will be easier.  PT is done separately from the rest of the company.  Usually after chow, you take a few classes on AB related topics, then you do more PT.  You have to pass a final PT test before they will ship you to Benning.  If I remember we had to get 70% on everything and complete an 4 mile run.

I don't think we were allowed to go any where during AOC, just church and the shoppette.  We could talk on the phones after final formation. 

Then you go to Benning for three weeks.  When you graduate, you are sent back to Lee. 

Once back in Lee, you are on a regular training schedule.  You do PT with the company.  At first you get passes to go on base, then off base, then over nights.  Passes were revoked easily for bad behavior. 

We did PT on Saturday mornings, but it was pretty easy.  We had barracks cleanup until 12, and then usually we were off for the rest of the day.  Sundays we were free.

Did you get to see him during AIT?

Family could come to visit on weekends.  The only problem with that is if passes get revoked, then they traveled to see you for no reason.

How often were you able to communicate with him? By phone? Email?

You can talk to your family every night, as long as you get a turn on the phone.  I am not sure about e-mail.  I am sure they have computers in the library, but I never used it.

Describe the graduation ceremony.

Graduation was pretty boring, but family is allowed to attend.  The soldiers get to leave as soon as graduation is complete.

Any other tips or information?

The rigging field is very small, so don't tick anyone off.  You never know when you will see them again. 

Take plenty of Motrin and unscented BenGay to airborne school. 

Don't believe that you can't get deployed to Iraq because you think they don't need riggers in Iraq.  I know at least 3 rigger units were deployed to Iraq. 

Don't blow off AOC.  The p.t. is meant to condition you for AB.  If you do as they say, you can pass AB school.  AB will still be challenging, but you will be more prepared.   

Don't clean your air channel too much or you will hurt your family jewels :).