Army Reducing Paying Parachute Positions

CSM Mike Maynard — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 21:52:18 -0500

24 units accounting for 2,600 soldiers across the country were removed from jump status.

The Army stated "paratroopers continue to train and maintain readiness to execute airborne operations should a mission arise, the impact on the reduction of paid parachute positions will not degrade the capability of the Army."

Is the Army getting by on the cheap? Are we requiring the same training/capability for those not getting paid as those getting paid proficiency pay?

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Dec 1 at 2013 12:45 AM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 00:45:53 -0500

There are plenty more PPP out there that we could do away
with, the argument has been made strategically there is no longer a requirement
to keep the two OCONUS ABCTs let alone a division (great lead in for another
discussion). Many of the positions are designated as PPP although jumping is
not an inherent and essential part of the positions duties. A revalidation should
be conducted for all PPP across the services (or just the Army) and validate
authorized PPP (I would assume this happened already, but I bet it didn't). Anyway, the way I see it
is that paid paratroopers are like the rest of us who came off jump status, we
can be called upon at a moments notice, receive refresher training and out the
door we go (just with out the extra pay).

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Dec 1 at 2013 12:48 AM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 00:48:52 -0500

There are plenty more PPP out there that we could do away with, the argument has been made strategically there is no longer a requirement to keep the two OCONUS ABCTs let alone a division (great lead in for another discussion). Many of the positions are designated as PPP although jumping is not an inherent and essential part of the positions duties. A revalidation should be conducted for all PPP across the services (or just the Army) and validate authorized PPP (I would assume this happened already). Anyway, the way I see it is that paid paratroopers are like the rest of us who came off jump status, we can be called upon at a moments notice, receive refresher training and out the door we go...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 12:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 00:49:48 -0500

This is such BS. There is enough money wasted on things like the CHESS program that requires me to pay 3 times what a computer/printer is worth. Personally I have loved jumping over the past ten years but many are not going to jump if you are not going to pay them for it.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 17 at 2015 9:15 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:15:29 -0400

CSM Mike Maynard, Yes, almost two years since your post re: saving money by reducing jump paid positions. Now we know; the Army was trying to save up a portion of the cost for training "female Rangers". And we have one more in the pipeline on her "-" attempt?