What do you think when you see a Soldier with Airborne wings?

When I see jump wings , I wonder if they have back problems like me

Herb Caen, the longtime columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, in his columns at the time of the 50th anniversary of D-Day, was writing remembrances - the most memorable was that as a journalist with the Stars and Stripes (as a Pvt) was driving the Major all around the AO, very carefully avoiding areas where there were paratroopers, because his Major was a "leg" officer that was wearing Jump Boots, they were in more danger from GIs than they were from the Germans.

Depends on the soldier. Appearance, bearing, demonstrated courtesy and expertise. Uniforms are sort of like resumes when you think of it. Spit shined jump boots have gone the way of the Kiwi bird --which is a good thing -- but it's a qualification. Along with other qualifications, it can tell me a lot or absolutely nothing.

Like my dad used to say, and he wore Master Blaster wings with three combat jumps in WW II, "Why the he'll walk into it when you can jump into it". It was because of him when I enlisted that I requested jump school.
Fyi, in the military, there is no such animal as a perfectly good airplane, we are in military aircraft, planes or help. Not civilian aircraft..
AATW

I'd be thinking....IF YOU AIN'T CAV THEN YOU AINT SHIT. Then again I twisted an ankle jumping off a 113 and it still aches "sometimes". ALLONS! See your retention officer. Sorry I hate digging up old posts, but i'm laughing.

What do I think about when I see a paratrooper? Unfortunately, it always reminds me of a good friend and father of three who's chute didn't open on a classified mission and was killed immediately when he hit the ground. I will forever keep him alive in my heart, and I have the utmost respect for all paratroopers, regardless of branch, or when and where they served - they indeed are a special, badass bunch. That said, I agree with Gunny O'Donnell, and I truly believe we all make a difference, regardless of whether a paratroop, grunt, a cook or any other "member of our team". We are all interdependent on each other, and every cog in the machine is necessary to make it work. Regardless if front line, or rear theater operations, we are all exceptional professionals, and I thank God for each and every one of us! Warriors forever! Full disclosure: my niece Nadine is a real jewel who again took her valuable time to help me here, and I couldn't be on this site, or do many other things without her help - my sincere thanks to you, my dear!
EDIT, 02NOV19: Clarification: My friend who died when his chute didn't open was never in the same unit as I was, and I was never a paratroop. We were just good friends who met on a mutual deployment.

I see someone who was too scared to go to Air Assault ;o)

Much respect for anyone that goes airborne. While I was never assigned to an airborne division I’ll have respect for them . I went to jump school at 18 just because I wanted the experience

Just extra cargo for me to deal with.

It depends on the Soldier. After Jump School, I spent my career in Armor and CAV despite countless 4187s to get to an ABN unit. But I always tried take what I learned and applied it to what I was doing. And I've seen many a "jump qualified" Soldier just wear their wings as flair.