Article: Paratroopers injured...

[frost 1]

The "deuce" is at it again. I wonder, why this was reported at all. Was it because it was a high publicity international excersize? I served in the 82nd and dont recall reading many articles about paratroopers getting hurt. It happens on a daily basis, practically on every jump. 800 feet, static line round T-10C's, 35-100 pounds of extra equipment, new "cherries" in the air... Add darkness and fatique (night combat jumps take place between 11pm-3am) to the mix and someone is bound to get hurt. Reaching with your toes is a big no-no, but many new jumpers do it anyway.
Fun fact: Did you know that to attend a military jumpmaster school all you need is 9 jumps?! To stay current you need to jump once every 3 (three) months. You are considered Senior Parachutist after 35 jumps and Master after 60 or 65. Here is "fun" story that really happened: A rigger with a "good" sense of humor packed a reserve and signed it "Mickey Mouse". A jumper reported this after performing a gear check before a jump. As result the jumps were scratched, thousands of good reserves had to be repacked. I guess he (rigger) meant to say: "If it doesnt work, try and try again!"

[slotperfect 7]

There used to be a Rigger at E/782d (the 82d Abn's Rigger Unit) named Dearth. D-E-A-R-T-H. With a quota of 25 round mains a day, you tend to get very quick and efficient. He would kinda "hump" the r when signing his last name in the logbook, so occasionally it would appear as D-E-A-T-H, much to the alarm of the jumper using it.
Respectfully,
SP

[frost 1]

Hehe, I think I heard that one. He probably got a lot of crap, eh? Hey guess what was the name of the CSM of JFKSWCS? CSM Rambo! How many jokes did he get I wonder. Hey, where were you there?

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

S.P. works "various" places on and off Bragg; I work at USAJFKSWC now. Bill Rambo was indeed the brunt of many jokes.
Chuck

[frost 1]

Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I did some time in 82nd at 307th Eng and 1/504th. Right on, man