Have You Jumped Out Of A Perfectly Good Airplane?

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 21:25:17 -0400

I never had an opportunity to go airborne. I managed air assault at Ft. Campbell, but never airborne. As a WWII history fanatic, all I read about was the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne and the less famous but equally courageous 11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne. What was it like to go knees in the breeze? Was air assault even close as a challenge? If you have pictures, that would be AWESOME!!! AIRBORNE RESPECT!!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 10:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 22:29:45 -0400

First jump was at Benning in 2000. I got about 30 now. I really don't like heights just I always just look out and jump. I can't say I have ever looked down when jumping. It is always a blast. The hardest part is the landing.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Aug 28 at 2014 10:34 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 22:34:59 -0400

First jump was Benning in 1994... Did one year in an Airborne unit. Spent the next 12 as a leg before going to 1st Group... that first knees in the breeze after 12 years, 1500' from a chinook ramp... Jumpmaster said I was white as a ghost... Didn't stop me from handing off the lanyard and walking off though...

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 28 at 2014 11:12 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 23:12:23 -0400

My first jump was in May 2006, Yea I am a 5 jump chump, my Basic Training 1SG was a former RTB, and Jumpmaster when I was a Drill Sgt. He called me Drill, but it was always Airborne everything. It made my time on the trail thus, much better. My first jump, I went up in the Air instead of down. Its called a hot pocket. The most challenging arial school of all time. The commadant of Airborne gave everybody a pep talk which motivated me to go all the Way.....Airborne

May 2006, Fort Benning, Georgia

ADVICE: Keep your head and eyes on the horizon and "its between you and God" on your descent.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 28 at 2014 11:19 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 23:19:42 -0400

It's a great feeling. Every landing hurts, but sooo worth it. I did 2 of my jumps in jump school on a sprained and taped ankle....honestly, with the ankle, the morning runs down to the rigger sheds hurt worse than the jumps did. no way I was sitting that out!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 11:47 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 23:47:00 -0400

11 Years on Airborne Status. Jump School taught us points of contacts for Parachute Landing Falls (PLF) which we learned through repititon in Airborne School, however, after leaving Airborne School, I can count the number of perfect PLFs I made on one hand. A couple jumps I didn't walk away from, However, every jump you do get up and walk away from .....is a Good Jump! Airborne!!!!!

Response by 1SG Calanski Brunson made Aug 29 at 2014 1:33 AM

1SG Calanski Brunson — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 01:33:30 -0400

My first Jump was back in 17 September 2001, that's right look at the dates again 6 days past 9-11. At the time PFC Brunson conducted his first jump in Airborne school just days after the two towers fell. My whole purpose in life at that time was to complete Airborne school and get to my unit (I had R.I.P. at the time now called RASP in my contract). I thought my first jump was going to be combat jump into Afghanistan and I didn't want to miss it!!! I ended up going to 7th Special Forces Group where my first jump there was on a cold morning on 5 Dec 2001 on Luzon DZ at Camp Mackall. We jumped a CASA 212 tailgate. I stayed on Airborne status for 9 years in Group until I left. I did some amazing jumps, from C-130 tailgate, blackhawks, C-17 (with the British SAS), and Chinooks. I do miss it and hope one day to get my Jumpmaster status.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 3:28 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 03:28:49 -0400

. . . and I thought we were just going for a sunset stroll somewhere along the NC coast

. . . . . . then I remembered he said . . . watch the first step out that door, it's a doosie

. . . . . . . . . anyone remember company sponsored fun & games at the old Navy base?

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Aug 29 at 2014 3:58 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 03:58:32 -0400

7 Jumps and 6 landings :)

The best part is being at peace right after jumping. All you hear and feel is the wind.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 7:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 07:17:53 -0400

I've been Airborne since June 2003 and I absolutely love it. I would have to find it but I have a video of me jumping out of a Blackhawk. This was before GoPro so I had my iPod strapped to my forearm, but it worked out great because once I gained canopy control, the camera filmed my face the whole way down, it was awesome lol...I think I'm up to 39 jumps so far.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 7:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 07:19:59 -0400

AIRBORNE!! Nothing else like it on earth! I spent 19 months in Airborne Unit and Bragg and now I am due to PCS to 4th BCT 25th ID in Alaska to go back on Airborne Status this time however it will be much cooler. Here is two pictures of me after my 10th Jump. This was a C-130 on Luzon. ATW!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 29 at 2014 8:04 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 08:04:46 -0400

I follow Casey Kasem's philosophy: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars" Leg for Life!

Response by SSgt Tim Meuret made Aug 29 at 2014 11:10 AM

SSgt Tim Meuret — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:10:50 -0400

I was in the Air Force. So we tried not to make that a standard practice. ;-)

Response by PO1 David Waeschle made Aug 29 at 2014 11:29 AM

PO1 David Waeschle — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:29:19 -0400

I was in the Coast Guard, that was not a routine practice and was not in the activity brochure when I signed up.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 11:34 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:34:44 -0400

Been airborne for 4 years now. My first 14 jumps were all from C-130, and it wasn't until late February when I finally got my chance to jump (fall) from something else. Over the course of 6 weeks, I was fortunate enough to get a Blackhawk, an Osprey, and a C-17(Door Jumper!).

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 29 at 2014 12:10 PM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:10:49 -0400

SFC Mark Merino I keep seeing the title of this thread and it makes me chuckle. A guy I work with is a former Submariner, and asked me one day why I would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
I replied with "That's a heck of a question from a guy that signed up to spend 6 years on a boat that sinks on purpose"

Response by SFC Wayne Robinson made Aug 29 at 2014 12:40 PM

SFC Wayne Robinson — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:40:31 -0400

I went to Jump School at Fort Benning Georgia in 1968.

We got the treatment bed at 10PM awake at 0300 stand formation until 0500 reville, then breakfast .

You have never had a breakfast until you go through Airborne School. Do Pullups or go back to the end of the line. Eat your food while you are going through the line. because as soon as you sit down the tacs tell you to get up you been there to long. Run Run until you think your legs are gonna fall of.
There was a pit in front of the barracks for people who wanted to quit.
helmets were in the middle of the pit. If you decided to quit, tehy gave you a chance by making you squat on a helmet and call you a turtle.
At night the guys who were mustering out of teh military from VN who lived across the street would come and harass us around 1 or 2 in the morning throwing trash cans turning over bunks. what a life,
Jumped out of a C-130 flying boxcar three times a C-130 once and then the final jump was out of a C-141. i will never forget the day they pinned the wings on my chest. I went to fort Bragg from there and made several more jumps until being reassigned overseas.
I wouldn't change anything if i had to do it again. It was one the most exciting things in my life.
Way to go Airborne.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Aug 29 at 2014 3:18 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:18:26 -0400

Negative, I've never had the opportunity to so so. However, in spite of the fact that my wife would be in an uproar over her old, Polish and very injury prone husband doing so, I would "jump" at the opportunity!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 4:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:54:41 -0400

One of the jumpmasters at school said you are jumping out of a plane that was made by the lowest bidder........oh and so is your parachute....

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 6:16 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:16:30 -0400

I have only had the opportunity to rappel from helicopters.
I hope someday the Army will afford me the opportunity to become Airborne.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 7:10 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:10:17 -0400

I have only jumped 10 times, 5 in jump school and 5 in 24 months on jump status in the 82cnd...but darn if I wasn't on a plane twice as many times or in the hangar and the jump got scratched.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 8:30 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 20:30:47 -0400

SFC Mark Merino gotta tell you it was probably the most awesome feeling in the world. Landing was always a bit rough but it was worth it. I loved it. I wouldn't mind challenging myself with Air Assault, perhaps that could be the next step for me. Just gotta work on my rucking.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 29 at 2014 10:00 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 22:00:45 -0400

Yes here's pictures of my first jump.It was tandem from 13,500 ft at Skydive DeLand in DeLand, FL. I did the 7 jump course so I could jump solo. I've jumped from my friend's Piper Cub many a times to show up for parties. I might add chutes are definitely a chick magnet.

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Aug 30 at 2014 1:39 AM

MSG Gene Potocki — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:39:35 -0400

First Jump was 20 Nov 1978 (Thanksgiving Class) on jump status 13 out of 21 years of service. Non-Airborne assignments: Drill Sergeant duty (2 years), ROTC (4 years), 1st ID LRS (2 years)

Response by CW3 John Wescott made Aug 30 at 2014 9:01 AM

CW3 John Wescott — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 09:01:02 -0400

First jump out of Jump was Fort Bragg 2002. It was a C130 Mass Tactical Jump on Nijmegen Drop Zone. I remember going to the MACO brief and the Jump Master kept telling us to be careful of the concrete and barb wire on the drop zone. "I asked are we jumping into the Dump?" But all and all it was a good jump ...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2014 12:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:03:00 -0400

Well, I've done a tandem skydive, but I'm hoping by next year I'm Airborne qualified.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 30 at 2014 12:09 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:09:53 -0400

For my paratrooper family......

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 30 at 2014 1:00 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:00:52 -0400

My friend Bell Thomas has but me, Hell NO. I hate heights and don't get a warm and fuzzy unless I have plenty of hand holds. I will go up the tallest mast of the tallest ship because I have plenty to hold on to but I need my Blankey! LOL!

Response by 1SG Walter Young made Aug 30 at 2014 9:55 PM

1SG Walter Young — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 21:55:12 -0400

Jump school in 1983-Last jump July 2002 in Italy.
All told, managed 155 jumps in about 16 and a half years on jump status. Spent 3 years not on status, with the 101st. So, managed to wear an Airborne tab my entire career after completing OSUT and jump school at Ft. Benning.
Not sure if they were all "perfectly good", but survived jumping out of C-130s, C-141s, UH-1s, UH-60s, CH-47s, and one time each out of a CH-3E and a C-5 (like jumping out of a gymnasium ).

Response by MAJ Joseph Parker made Aug 31 at 2014 2:14 AM

MAJ Joseph Parker — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 02:14:46 -0400

SFC Merino: Jumped out of some bad airplanes, too; and a few copters. Benning jump school in the summer of 73 was the first. can't talk about the last, but it was long, long after Benning. I like night jumps the best: safer from the enemy but a bit more taxing on individual and organizational jump skills. The best part of the jump for me has always been getting out the door and getting all of the weight off! It's only for a few moments but it's glorious after all those hours waddling around. Then it's a few seconds of incredible mental work orienting and assembling in the air (except when jumping solo) and steering for a decent landing spot while looking for landmarks to see if you're in the right DZ, if there are any bad people, where the supply bundles are drifting off, etc. You could write a book about all the things that go on in your mind in those 600 hundred feet from the plane to the ground (1250 in training).

And in a call-out to some folks who seldom get one; I never, ever had a malfunction because the US Army absolutely has the best riggers in the world.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 3:46 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 03:46:10 -0400

Airborne School in 1993, still Airborne and Air Assault. Proud to sport the Maroon Beret and proud to say both my sons are currently serving in the 82nd.

BEST TO YOU SFC Merino and thank you for your service.

ATW

CSM Reed

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Aug 31 at 2014 7:49 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 07:49:39 -0400

Nope, too big. Still would have loved to jump out of perfectly functioning aircraft, especially HALOs. As the cadence went, "You wanna be Airborne, you gotta be thin!"

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Aug 31 at 2014 8:53 AM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 08:53:55 -0400

Way, way, way, back when I was about 14 and aircraft were made of wire, balsa and doped fabric I met some gypsy moths jumping into a farmers pasture. I always had a knack for talking myself "into" trouble, and made one jump with them. Big thrill but never had the desire again.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 31 at 2014 5:03 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 17:03:25 -0400

Not to take away from the valorous acts of our Greatest Generation of paratroopers, but I thought my paratrooper family earned a chuckle.

Response by SPC John Fitzpatrick made Aug 31 at 2014 5:23 PM

SPC John Fitzpatrick — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 17:23:04 -0400

Qualifying jumps at Dong Ba Thin, outside of Cam Ranh, Republic of Vietnam, in February 1969. 5th Special Forces Group (Abn) had a jump school for Vietnamese irregulars, and every quarter ran through a class of round eyes from 5th Grp and elsewhere. I was a combat photo-journalist with 5th Grp. public information office.

On jump day they had to chase water buffalo off the DZ, and for the first two jumps in the morning, the air was so moist and soft we didn't hit hard enough to do a proper parachute landing fall. We had to throw ourselves to the ground to avoid getting chewed out for making a forbidden stand-up landing.

The first jump was the best. I must have done everything just right--stand in the door, jump up 6 inches, out 6 inches--suddenly I was lying on my back in the slip stream, looking at the horizon over my toes. Then my chute was open and I had to start climbing the risers to steer away from the swamp.

The air was drier and our descents were faster in the afternoon. The class leader, an Army captain, landed on an asphalt road between the DZ and the swamp. He was drifting backwards and hit the back of his head so hard it knocked him unconscious.

Several of us, including me, chose to land in the swamp rather than risk the road and the power/phone wires next to it.

On the second jump, I was first in the stick and had to stand in the door as we approached the DZ. The jumpmaster expected me to go when the green light went on. I was expecting a tap-out. When I didn't jump, he thought I had frozen and gave me a tap-out designed to correct any problem I might be having.

After the last jump, we formed up, and the NCOIC of the jump school pinned our wings on us. One guy's father was in 5th Grp. His dad was there and and did the honors. We were awarded both US and RVN jump wings. On rainy days, I still wear my go-to-hell bush hat with the RVN wings pinned to the front.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 7:17 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 19:17:43 -0400

I've been to Air Assault and currently in Airborne School. Haven't jumped yet but I will say that airborne school is more of a gentlemen's course with the focused of learning how to properly exit from an aircraft and land safely. I will post again after my first jump on Tuesday 2 September.

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Sep 1 at 2014 1:18 AM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 01:18:34 -0400

Airborne Class 30-79. Iron Mike.

Yeah, I know, I was a submariner for 20 years, but as a midshipman I wanted to be a Marine. We were "encouraged" to find out as much as we could about the lifestyle, so I went through the competition for a quota. I attended Airborne training right after plebe year.

All of us mids persevered through the training (nobody was going to live with the shame of dropping out) and we all finished our five jumps. The following week I reported for my summer training aboard a nuclear fast attack submarine. I had a great time, I never looked back at the Marines, and I volunteered for submarines before Rickover picked me anyway.

The lead wings got all sorts of the wrong kind of attention in the submarine force, but people usually stopped teasing and wanted to know what it was like.

One of our Airborne classmates was an Iranian Army O-3. The Shah had already left the country and Khomeini had already returned, so I have no idea how this O-3 was admitted to the class. (He graduated, but I never got around to talking with him.) He must have arrived home just in time to join the Revolutionary Guard.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Sep 1 at 2014 2:36 AM

SSG John Bacon — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 02:36:28 -0400

I always wanted to go Airborne but I was told I was too tall. 6'10" apparently a T-10 would not slow me enough under combat laod. They didn't want to "risk it".

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 1 at 2014 5:48 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:48:17 -0400

I am still a leg; however, I did do a tandem jump from a perfectly good commercial aircraft and had a blast doing it. And yes, I would do it again. Or even take the course to go solo, but that's as far as it will ever get.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 6:58 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 18:58:46 -0400

December 1999, my recruiter asked if I wanted to learn how to jump out of airplanes for free. My response, "For free!?" Went to airborne school in May 2001 after basic and AIT. I've only had about 7 years on jump status out of 14. I've jumped with the 82nd and SOF. I prefer SOF jumps, but jumping with the 82nd was certainly an experience. Still hasn't cured my fear of heights though, but oh well. Airborne ATW!

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Sep 1 at 2014 8:55 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 20:55:49 -0400

And then there was the weekends......

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 1 at 2014 9:06 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:06:48 -0400

Not on the Army's dime.

Response by CMSgt Mickey W made Sep 2 at 2014 7:44 AM

CMSgt Mickey W — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:44:16 -0400

Completed Army Airborne in Dec 1981 (on my best bud Fred's birthday). Spent 30 years as an AF Combat Controller--stayed on airborne status the entire time. Those 800 foot jumps with equipment, at night, on a runway, were hard on this old man yet made one a few days before I retired. Also completed Freefall training and both a SL and MFF jumpmaster. Did everything to stay on jump status, now I regret not having more documented in my medical records.

Response by CMSgt Mickey W made Sep 2 at 2014 7:50 AM

CMSgt Mickey W — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:50:57 -0400

Completed Army Airborne in Dec 1981 (on my best bud Fred's birthday). Spent 30 years as an AF Combat Controller--stayed on airborne status the entire time. Also completed Freefall training and both a SL and MFF jumpmaster. Those 800 foot jumps with equipment, at night, on a runway, were hard on this old man yet made one a few days before I retired followed by an equipment MFF the next day as my official last jump. Did everything to stay on jump status, now I regret not having more documented in my medical records.

Response by COL Rich McKinney made Sep 2 at 2014 8:14 AM

COL Rich McKinney — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:14:43 -0400

Yes, over 200 times. I have also jumped out of a bad airplane, and I have ridden a bad airplane into the ground. I much prefer jumping out, good or bad.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 11:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 11:38:15 -0400

SFC it is never too late! I finally got the opportunity to go at age 39, and don't regret it a bit. Get your packet in... Airborne!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 2:56 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:56:35 -0400

I love jumping out of airplanes and I second SSG on the fact that no aircraft is "perfectly good". I have to admit since o tainting my A license static line jumps seem a bit boring...but any chance to jump I'm all in. Blue skies! AATW

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 3:25 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:25:04 -0400

I went ABN on my first contract back in 2002, it's the easiest 3 week school and extremely fun.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 3:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:32:17 -0400

Yes, but I landed on the jetway at the airport.

Never had the chance, but my knees feel great.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 3:32 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:32:53 -0400

I used the "perfectly good airplane" term for years, until one guy asked me if I jumped out of USAF planes. I said "of course" and he replied that they have no perfectly good airplanes!

Response by SSG Anthony Richardson made Sep 2 at 2014 3:58 PM

SSG Anthony Richardson — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:58:55 -0400

Loved everything about it started out with Air Assault school as a private on Fort Campbell and I this it was harder

Response by 1SG John O. made Sep 2 at 2014 10:24 PM

1SG John O. — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 22:24:49 -0400

Nothing is perfect, especially in the military....so hell yeah I've jumped out of an alright aircraft! AATW! Let's Go! Every military school has it's challenges, so I wouldn't say one was easier or harder than the other. I liked to actually consider them perks of an already awesome job. "What are you doing today?" "I'm jumping out of an aircraft or hanging out of a helicopter!" Whoo!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 2 at 2014 10:38 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 22:38:46 -0400

I see some of you like to jump on your own dime between jumps. How much does a civilian tandem jump cost? How many jumps does it take before they let you go solo? Not for my crippled self, but my daughter is fearless (daddy's so proud). :)

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 2 at 2014 11:24 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:24:27 -0400

I've never jumped out of a bad airplane, why would I jump from a good one? LOL I only fixed them

I've seen a few someone SHOULD have jumped from.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 2 at 2014 11:55 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:55:01 -0400

All this airborne talk made me remember that classic scene from one of my favorite movies..."Fandango". Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/T8F5MkP484E

Fandango Skydiving Scene, Pt. 2

Judd Nelson takes his great leap for weeny-kind!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 12:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 00:18:55 -0400

I don't always jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but when I do it's free fall from a civilian aircraft.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Sep 3 at 2014 1:02 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 01:02:32 -0400

SFC Mark Merino, please define for me the term "perfectly good airplane." To me this means that the plane is still on the ground, because in my opinion once it leaves the ground all bets are off. LOL

Response by SFC(P) Tobias M. made Sep 3 at 2014 11:38 AM

SFC(P) Tobias M. — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:38:58 -0400

Nope and never would. I am scared and not scared to admit that. i have full respect for the ones that do it for us. Thanks.

Response by LTC Gary Macnamara made Sep 3 at 2014 4:13 PM

LTC Gary Macnamara — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:13:57 -0400

I was in the Army one week and was sent to Airborne School. I had to wait for an Officer Basic course. I spent my 21 birthday bin Jump School. Graduated in October 1965 and made my "cherry" jump in the Dominican Republic. It is a great way to get to work. What they don't tell you is once you hit the ground, you have to hump where you are going if you can even figure it out. I went to the 11th SFGA in 1970 and made my last jump on 31 Oct 1972. I walked away from all of them. Airborne all the way.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Sep 3 at 2014 6:03 PM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 18:03:22 -0400

Completed Jump School in March of 80, 27th ENGR BN, Ft Bragg 4 years with 37 Jumps!! EEEERRRR!

Response by SGT David Meade made Sep 3 at 2014 8:36 PM

SGT David Meade — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 20:36:43 -0400

Response by SGT David Meade made Sep 3 at 2014 8:53 PM

SGT David Meade — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 20:53:19 -0400

1963- I'm 6'8" tall so I had to do some cheating when measured to get to jump school, but those measuring could see how badly I wanted the chance. Jumping is like nothing else. The quiet and view is something, to look down below your boots and see the earth so far below, like a monopoly set. I served with the 101st then joined Special Forces, served in the 5th SFGA RVN 66-67, then the 3rd SFGA. Was injured three times jumping, broken foot, serious strained right shoulder from the static line passing under my arm, and injured back from a night jump in high winds from my foot tangling in the suspension lines. Hard landing. But I really loved it. Never got the chance to HALO

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 1:32 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 01:32:54 -0400

Dedicated to all you "V"ictors out there.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 2:47 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:47:05 -0400

Desert Shield/Desert Storm 82nd Airborne Respect!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 2:50 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:50:17 -0400

82nd Airborne Vietnam Respect! 100% Badass!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 2:51 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:51:35 -0400

82nd Airborne Urgent Fury Respect!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 2:53 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:53:51 -0400

An Original 82nd Airborne WWII Badass! RESPECT!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 2:58 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:58:18 -0400

173rd Airborne Brigade OIF Respect!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 3:02 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 03:02:30 -0400

Greatest Generation 101st Airborne Respect!!! Never Forgotten!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 3:10 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 03:10:18 -0400

You can take the man out of the 101st Airborne, but you can NEVER take the 101st Airborne out of the man. Greatest Generation Airborne Respect!!!

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 4 at 2014 3:39 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 03:39:31 -0400

Yes but it was a little civilian aircraft and a tandem jump.

Response by WO1 Robert Brandt made Sep 4 at 2014 9:07 AM

WO1 Robert Brandt — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:07:20 -0400

Yes many times, including C7 , UH1D , Blackhawk, Kiowa , CH47, C130 , C141, Nomad, Pilatus Porter.
Both SLCE & FFCE Night & Day into ad hoc DZs
Ex ADF Army Inf WO1 Jump Master SL

Response by WO1 Robert Brandt made Sep 4 at 2014 9:37 AM

WO1 Robert Brandt — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:37:20 -0400

Yes many times, including C7 , UH1D , Blackhawk, Kiowa , CH47, C130 , C141, Nomad, Pilatus Porter.
Both SLCE & FFCE Night & Day into ad hoc DZs
Ex ADF Army Inf WO1 Jump Master SL

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 1:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:50:51 -0400

Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is not an natural act, but it sure is a adrenaline rush and I love it! I totally recommend that you try to at least do skydiving, won't be as fun as you are not alone, but you'll get the feeling! If I can go out in one way, it will be in a jump!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 7:27 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 07:27:31 -0400

38 times. 82nd Airborne & 20th SFGA. Went to Air Assault School at Ft Rucker. Air Assault was more physically demanding with the ruck marches but jumping out of the 34' tower, 250' tower, and finally an aircraft in flight takes a bit of nerve. Good news is the method they use builds you up step by step so when it's your time, you're ready to jump. Airborne! I have jumped from CH-47s, UH-1s, C-130s & C-141s and even the CH-54 Sky Crane with a pod. I'm an old timer and left status before the C-17s.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 1:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:41:14 -0400

first jump was in 2006 at fort benning, been with the 173rd and 1-509th at fort polk, currently at fort campbell with 3rd brigade, and after this im trying to go to benning to be a black hat or jumpmaster instructor

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 3:29 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:29:21 -0400

Only after it landed.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 5 at 2014 3:44 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:44:25 -0400

I know I asked to compare Air Assault and Airborne if you had both, but I always had a question about Pathfinders......If you are Pathfinder qualified, is Air Assault a waste of time? Are there any triple stacks out there with the skinny on this?

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 5 at 2014 4:19 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 16:19:52 -0400

Out of Helicopters in 1992 and an airplane at 14000 in 1992 also in California, Maryland. Haven't done either since, but frankly no one wants a pilot to jump out of a perfectly good airplane anymore!

Response by MSgt Chris Adams made Sep 5 at 2014 6:54 PM

MSgt Chris Adams — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:54:09 -0400

Nope, I have never done this. Thought about going through the lessons and doing it. Even saved up the money, then decided a SNES and beer were better uses for my hard earned coin.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 11:34 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 23:34:35 -0400

Yes and I should be jumping in the next 2 weeks for proficiency, love it and will cherish being a paratrooper all of my life!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 11:35 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 23:35:24 -0400

I am looking forward to my next jump and take great pride in being a paratrooper in a great unit! Feet and knees baby!

Response by SFC Nestor Nievesmoran made Sep 7 at 2014 9:13 AM

SFC Nestor Nievesmoran — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 09:13:27 -0400

The best of conducting jumpmaster duties is when you can find that fishing spot, jump into it, scare those around you, complete your mission, pack it up and do it again...

Response by COL Bowman Olds made Sep 7 at 2014 12:41 PM

COL Bowman Olds — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 12:41:29 -0400

I was always proud to jump with my fellow airborne paratroopers from
C-130s which I thought would never get off the ground, to C-141s which tended to spoil us and finally to the C-5A which seemed as big as a 2-story building with a parking garage!!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 8:06 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 20:06:11 -0400

My first jump was an accelerated free fall. With the Navy Seal Jump Team on the same plane, there was no way I was going to show fear. When I got to the door, I got the thumb and jumped without hesitation.

Response by COL Roger Lintz made Sep 10 at 2014 12:35 AM

COL Roger Lintz — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:35:06 -0400

Here's a funny Airborne story. I fell asleep on the way to Dugway Proving Grounds, UT onboard a C-141. I was the last jumper in the first stick, first pass. Since it was my cherry jump my Ranger buddy from 3rd RGR BN insisted that we make it memorable. My entire squad gave me everything they had that was heavy. My ruck had to weigh well over 150lbs no BS. I couldn't stand up or walk. I had to kind of waddle and have help getting on the plane. Anyway, so I fall asleep with this ruck on my legs. At some point I woke up and my stick was already hooked up and the 30 second call had already been made. I immediately tried to stand up but couldn't. No matter what I did I couldn't get up so I started screaming at my buddy Rusty to help me. He must've been droning and forgot I was even in his stick. Anyway I'm screaming that I can't get up and he looks at me and gives me the two thumbs rotating up signal to unbuckle my seatbelt. Duh! Just as I stood up they started exiting the aircraft. I had just enough time to unhook my static line from my reserve and then I had to hook up to the cable but by that time the stick was almost out of the plane and I wasn't sure which cable to hook into and it was dark so I just chose the inboard cable, snapped my static line on, didn't bother with the safety pin, no time for equipment check and started waddling like a pregnant hippo towards the door. About halfway there the red light came on. I just kept going. The primary JM put his palm up to tell me to stop but I just threw my static line at him and he got out of my way. I then basically fell headfirst or should I say I was sucked out of the plane head first. When my chute opened my risers and static lines were twisted so bad I couldn't lift my head up to check my canopy. So I started bicycling like Lance Armstrong until they finally untwisted. Then I looked down and started cursing. The bastards had put us out in snow and I was wearing the old jungle fatigues with no snivel gear what so ever. Then I realized it wasn't cold. The moon was so bright that the sand looked white. I landed about a mile farther downrange than any of my squad and my chute got stuck in a huge bush. I was in a hurry so I took out my rope wrench (demo knife) and started cutting suspension lines and canopy. I absolutely destroyed that chute. Anyway, I finally got it out or what was left of it, grabbed my gear, shot an azimuth to the light at the turn in point and started humping. It took me a good hour and a half to get there but just before I did I stopped and dug out my kevlar and removed the 3x5 card with my name on it and then stuffed it back in the kit bag. I threw the kit bag on the pile and then humped to the patrol base. I never heard a word from the riggers about why I shredded a perfectly good parachute. Oh and the DZ at Dugway is 10 miles long. It's a alternate landing strip for the space shuttle so I was never in any danger of landing on anything other than sand AND despite having a ruck that felt like I was carrying another human I landed like I was on a bed of pillows. Best landing I ever had.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 12:20 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:20:07 -0400

Everyone who wears the uniform deserves respect, but yes, I'm proud to have been and still be a master parachutist. (You're always a paratrooper until you are a jump refusal. You may have to strap it to my wheelchair, but if you have a spare 'chute, give me a call. I'll jump it.)

I couldn't go Air Assault, but I did go Drop Zone Support Team Leader, and I have my own ropes and do a lot of rappelling. No diminishment intended, but Airborne has the higher pucker factor.

On the other hand, I am still scared of heights, so that may influence my opinion. Yes, I went airborne to overcome it, then to jumpmaster school, and did 82 jumps. Never did get over my fear of heights. If I have enough to do, I don't notice it (much.)

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Oct 31 at 2014 1:07 PM

MAJ Dallas D. — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:07:37 -0400

Went to Jump school in 1990 and was assigned to 1/508th ABN Inf in 1991 and spent 5 yrs on status, last jump was in 1995. Best time of my life!

I corrected the years! Man as I get older the years slip by....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 3:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:55:00 -0400

No, but I sure as hell would love to jump out of an airplane. I might be s*****G bricks at first but I would eventually get over it.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 4:16 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:16:16 -0400

Great post, SFC Mark Merino. I was airborne for about three years (75-78) in the mighty 82nd Airborne Division. Had some great jumps and some not so great jumps. The best, in my opinion, were the "Hollywood" jumps with little or no equipment. I had a total of 25 jumps, 5 in jump school and 20 at the 82nd.

I can't compare airborne to air assault because I didn't attend air assault training.

I guess I remember my very first jump in jump school the best. An instructor was yelling in a megaphone, "Jumper with the malfunction, pull your reserve!" My lines were twisted up pretty good, so I thought I was the jumper with the malfunction and I pulled my reserve. I got a good ass chewing when I got to the ground.

Another memorable jump was my first night jump. I dropped my ruck on its line, and I was floating along just fine, enjoying the fun part of the jump. I heard a thump (which I later realized was my ruck hitting the ground), and then I went slamming into the ground. Only after I piled in did I realize that the sound I heard was my rucksack. That was a good lesson.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 6:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:12:26 -0400

Jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, but not for the military. Went skydiving on the Fourth of July a couple of years ago with some fellow Soldiers. Had to do the tandem jump as it was my first time, but it was still pretty awesome.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 7:50 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:50:13 -0400

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 7:51 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:51:05 -0400

SFC Merino...no, but I flew one, and have a few candidates I'd like to push out of one! Jumped out of Helios and had a hard landing in one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 10:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 10:49:15 -0400

July of 2004 I went to school and spent the next 3 years at fort Bragg in the 82nd. A little unconventional but my PLF's usually made up of feet touching and just taking the hit instead of a PLF.

Response by SGT Tom Dimond made Nov 1 at 2014 11:18 AM

SGT Tom Dimond — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 11:18:57 -0400

I did , and never regretted it, I am proud to wear those Jump Wings
I was in Vietnam with the 173d Airborne Brigade ,
1968 to 1970 and was an RTO for Recon 4th Battalion

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 1 at 2014 11:37 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 11:37:03 -0400

Negative, but on my list of things I would like to do someday!

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Nov 1 at 2014 12:54 PM

MSG Gene Potocki — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:54:25 -0400

Yes, Graduated Airborne school Nov 1978,

Several Airborne assignments (1st BN 509th A.B.C.T. Vicenza Italy, 2d BN (ABN) 505th INF Ft. Bragg (Op "Urgent Fury"), 3d BN 75th Ranger Regiment Ft. Benning)

Many practice exits. One Jump: Rio Hato Panama with B Co. 3d Ranger Bn 20 Dec 1989, 0100 Hrs. Operation "Just Cause" originally named "Blue Spoon"

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 1 at 2014 12:58 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:58:25 -0400

Nope...I'm just a damn dirty leg. I remember when I went to Pathfinder School and the cadre asked me if I was lost (no ABN wings or ARSLT patch). The only cool thing about that was while the ABN folks were going though BAR, some most reluctantly, I got an extra rotation to set up a DZ. Good times... ;)

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Nov 3 at 2014 1:16 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:16:30 -0500

Once.......only once, unless it was on the ground.

Response by SGT David Meade made Nov 3 at 2014 1:18 PM

SGT David Meade — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:18:37 -0500

Loved every jump, few things in life have compared to it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 2:42 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:42:17 -0500

Yes sir, I've jumped out of a perfectly good airplane many times. I still do! It's an experience like no other! It is a huge rush of adrenaline and awesome all at the same time!

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Nov 6 at 2014 4:39 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:39:04 -0500

Yes I have it was a blast! I also have bungee corded which was fun but does not last as long. So try it I think as long as you don't land like the Army taught you to you will be fine.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 9:12 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:12:25 -0500

I wish SFC Merino. It has been my dream to go to Airborne school. I've been asking for 5 years.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 12:52 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:52:36 -0500

I never went Airborne in the Army but I dated a Special Forces guy who for a date took me to a skydiving place to jump out of a plane. I did a tandem jump with him. It was both terrifying and arousing!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 6:02 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 06:02:09 -0500

I have not but I want too!!!

Response by MGySgt Marty Pack made Nov 9 at 2014 8:33 AM

MGySgt Marty Pack — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 08:33:14 -0500

Why would I do that? I got paid more for round trips!

Former Huey Crewchief!

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Nov 9 at 2014 8:55 AM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 08:55:09 -0500

For me it was like father like son. He was with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam 68-69 then the 82nd 69-71.
As for myself, 17 years active Jump status. I was always nervous and would sing songs in my head. Nerves would go away once the green light came on. Nothing like going out the door then feeing the shock and the views in daytime are great especially with UH 1 and 60 where you can see everything. Thankfully I never had a major injury or malfunction though 1 time a hole in my chute got larger the further down I went made me nervous. Ive landed into and on to about everything, trees, tarmac (3x), hardpack dirt road, water, on a truck, on a heavydrop gun plat form, on another jumper already on the ground. Also jumped in the rain (started once i was out the door)
Distant lightning and in ++++13 knot wind. I retired with 78 jumps Using T10 B/C and MC -1 BC actually do miss it
The idea of being different stayed with me even now. My father used to call me a cherry till I surpassed him. He also used to say if "anyone tells you he isnt scared, hes either a f.....g liar or doesnt belong on that bird"I would call my wife when i would leave to go to the airfield and she would be nervous holding the ST Michael pendant i gave her till I called her from the Dz or shop. Toomany memories to list but will never forget sitting around green ramp chutted up for hours ugggg.
Most Memorable Moments:
1.Black hat misrouts my static line during JMPI first jump, safety catches it 2 mintutes before greenlight.
2. Seeing nothing but treetops on a pitch black night. Find flat area turning out to be tarmac. My M60s Butstock broke on that one. Did laugh in the morning when I saw 2 M198 guns stuck in the trees.
zScariest moment:
Swinging like a pendulum on a high wind afternoon jump into Nellis AFB.
NUMBER OF JUMPS:78
WINGS: Army Basic, German & Canadian
Units:
1/319 AFAR, 82nd ABD Ft Bragg 90-94
HHC/B Co 3/10 SFG (A) Ft Carson 95-00
JRTC OPS GRP S4 FT POLK 02-06
HHC 1/509TH PIR OPFOR Ft Polk 06.
HHC 1/507th PIR (Cadre) FT Benning 06-10.
AIRCRAFT:
C/MH-130 (Walkout, Jumpout and tailgate), C-141, C-17, C-47 (WWII aircraft), UH-1, UH/MH-60, UH/MH-47.
MZy 2 Bits.

Response by CW2 Pamela (Carpenter) Wolf made Nov 9 at 2014 9:37 AM

CW2 Pamela (Carpenter) Wolf — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 09:37:09 -0500

I jumped out of perfectly good Army helicopters while on active duty in Korea, but I was not Airborne. I was the only female in the Camp Humphreys Sports Parachute Club in 1975 and amassed 21 jumps from UH-1's and CH-47's. Six jumps were static line, 15 were pulling my own ripcord after free-fall, never did any tandem jumps! We all were jumping the old modified round military T-10's; the "new" ram-air chutes had just caught on and we had 2 in the club who bought one. I was ordered to stop skydiving when I received orders to Flight School.

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Nov 9 at 2014 5:10 PM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 17:10:29 -0500

No I never had the urge to jump out of perfectly good aircraft just like during my 21 yrs in the Navy I never wanted to serve on a ship/boat that sank on purpose.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Nov 9 at 2014 5:20 PM

1SG David Niles — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 17:20:54 -0500

No but I rappelled out of a Helo that should not be able to fly. LOL

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 7:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:22:25 -0400

Mark, I used to think that if I had my choice of making a jump or having sex, I would take the jump, now if I was off duty and down in the village with some sweet thang, well the way I saw it was I could always wait til Monday morning on that jump.....lol

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 2 at 2015 7:51 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:51:02 -0400

For an anniversary present one year my wife got me a sky diving package. Does that count? :)

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jul 9 at 2015 5:18 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 17:18:16 -0400

Yeah, well when I jumped back in the 70s and early 80s, the planes were smaller, the wind was colder, the drop was lower, the fall was faster, the boots were harder, the ground was harder, & and the DZSO didn't care about safety at all. ;-)

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 9:59 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:59:37 -0400

This is the first job since 2004 that I haven't been on either static line or halo jump status. I hate it! I miss being in a community where it's common to use terms like "slip away," "Cut away," or "bounce." I love the community and all the memories! Airborne!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 16 at 2015 12:37 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:37:25 -0400

I am just a 5 jump chump but so happy to have attended in 1987.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 16 at 2015 12:41 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:41:44 -0400

I remember the first time I landed in a C-130 and thinking "we're all gonna die!" I asked myself, why the hell would I ever NOT want to jump out? Jumping is way less scary than landing in military transport on a short runway..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 2:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:09:45 -0400

Airborne is more painful. Air Assault was harder to obtain. But I think AA is more practical. Jumping is fun. It's the landing that sucks.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 1:16 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:16:45 -0400

There is no such thing as a perfectly good aircraft...they all have fault write-ups

Response by MAJ Michael Scharff made Jul 24 at 2015 8:58 AM

MAJ Michael Scharff — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 08:58:16 -0400

As LTG Stiner said when I was in the 82d Airborne Division, they are not perfectly good airplanes - they are Air Force airplanes. :-)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 8:38 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:38:05 -0400

I don't even remember my 1st jump. I just had my 103rd or 104th last week. I do love hanging off the side of an airplaine getting fresh air looking for the DZ. My most memorable was the 65th D-Day memorial jump into St. Mere Iglese DZ in Normandy France. 23 miles of aircraft filled with allied paratroopers with 2 minitues seperation from tail to nose. Incredible experience being a part of history!! Second most memorable was wining the 30th LeapFest international competition hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard. RING is FLAWLESS in the planning and execution of competitive airborne operations!! Third most was my first night combat equipment jump with 82nd ABN Div on Holland DZ. Organized chaos at it's finest!!! Until you've jumped with the 82nd at night with a full load you are not a Paratrooper, only a recreational Parachutist!!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 7 at 2015 3:11 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:11:59 -0400

Way too many times!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 7 at 2015 3:27 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:27:46 -0400

Many times, SFC Mark Merino! It's one of the most fun things to do in the Army! I made my first jump on 7APR70 from a Fairchild C-119 "Flying Boxcar" onto Fryar DZ at Fort Benning. The photo of me was taken in JUN70, just prior to a Hollywood fun jump for a civilian demonstration, while attending the Weapons NCO Supervisor Candidate Special Forces Course at Fort Bragg, NC. I took the canopy photo with a Kodak Instamatic at DZ Castellanos, Camp Blanding, FL on 10OCT70. We jumped a Lockheed C-141 "Starlifter", taking off from NAS Jacksonville.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Aug 7 at 2015 3:35 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:35:41 -0400

Not on your life.

Response by SSG John Erny made Aug 7 at 2015 3:47 PM

SSG John Erny — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:47:00 -0400

October 1988 Ft Benning, then on to rigger School. Your first test as a rigger is to pack a chute and jump it. If it opens you pass, if not you have the rest of your airborne life to open the reserve. Then pack you your bags and walk across the street to cook school, it was the only MOS they would give a rigger drop out at the time.

Response by SPC Keith Goddard made Aug 7 at 2015 5:05 PM

SPC Keith Goddard — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:05:04 -0400

Yessir

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Aug 7 at 2015 5:12 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:12:01 -0400

Camp bullis, tx 1991, waiting for a chopper blast

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Aug 7 at 2015 5:31 PM

MSG Marcel Guaring — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:31:05 -0400

Was on Jump Status at Fort Bragg from Dec 07 to June 2001.
Went to Air Assault School at Bragg the same time period hosted by the 101st MTT.
Left Bragg and went on the trail from July 2001 to Sep 2003.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Aug 7 at 2015 7:01 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 19:01:53 -0400

I loved being a Paratrooper. I enlisted with an MOS (11B), Jump School, and Unit of Assignment (82nd) contract. Basic Training was at Fort Knox, AIT at Fort Benning (almost went to Fort Polk for both Basic and Infantry AIT), day after graduation, bused over to Jump School. Day after graduation everyone with an assignments to the 82nd loaded up on a bus and that night we were at Fort Bragg. Spent the rest of my first enlistment with the 2/325th AIR. Reenlisted and went to Panama and was assigned to the Airborne Company at Fort Kobbe, then back to the 82nd when that tour was finished. I then had a break when I went back to Panama and taught JROTC, then back to the 82nd. Next overseas tour sent me to Korea and the JSA, then back to the 82nd before retirement. I spent close to 14 years in the 82nd and close to 16 years on Jump Status during my 20 years of service. AATW.

Response by CPT Arch Nissel made Aug 7 at 2015 8:25 PM

CPT Arch Nissel — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 20:25:03 -0400

Was lucky enough to be on jump status for 22 years last jump Sahara
Desert Africa with a friend I went through AIT with in 1973.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Aug 10 at 2015 7:45 AM

SFC Joseph James — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 07:45:54 -0400

Nope just a "Dope on a Rope"! Air Assault!

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 6 at 2015 4:15 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 16:15:16 -0400

yes

Response by SGT Drew Clark made Jan 27 at 2017 1:33 AM

SGT Drew Clark — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 01:33:19 -0500

I have perfectly jumped, more the 30 times out of a perfectly good airplane, and have PLF-ed, Perfectly Landed after my Fall. Airborne!

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 1:20 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 13:20:47 -0500

Was fortunate enough to be able to jump at Sainte-Mere-Eglise in Normandy as part of the D-Day remembrance Day last June. That was a bucket list experience to say the least!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 9 at 2017 12:40 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 12:40:05 -0500

No. As a pilot, I am proud that my number of takeoffs and landings are equal.