CDN military

[AdD 1]

Would any of you guys like to offer some opinions on skydiving in the military, preferably in Canada? I'm trying to explore some career options, would appreciate the inside scoop.

Life is ez
On the dz
Every jumper's dream
3 rigs and an airstream

[nightjumps 1]

Well, I'm not sure about the CDN Army, but in the US Army, there's a BIG difference between being airborne and HALO (which is a big difference from skydiving).

Most of the time, one has to be on a HALO team before the Army will spend the money for HALO school.

However, one thing you may want to consider if you apply for HALO and are denied is Rigger school. Then you could try to get to be one of the HALO teams or even HALO school riggers.

The best person to talk to about this is; skymonkeyone.

[mikeat10500 12]

Quote

Would any of you guys like to offer some opinions on skydiving in the military, preferably in Canada? I'm trying to explore some career options, would appreciate the inside scoop.

I have met a few CAF types starting to skydive. They
are getting re-embursed for 75% of their training.
Like first jump,solo certificate,A,B,etc license. Some
are seeking terms with the Skyhawlks.

-----------------------------------
Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1
Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

[chuteless 1]

The CAF are going to equip the skyhawks with beach umbrellas. The CAF has no money...its all being spent trying to get the Prime Minister to leave office.

as for the skyhawks...they assign a member for two years and then he's gone. By the time he has learbned to jump they take him off the team.

real smart eh?


Bill Cole Hemp 6


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[riggerrob 643]

Jump postings are few and far between in the Canadian Armed Forces.
A few guys start out as parachute riggers, but the last I heard was that parachute rigger was as sub-set of supply technician. Lord only knows how long it will take to get posted to the Parachute Center in Trenton, Ontario.
The normal entry level is to first become an infantryman, combat engineer, medic, field artilleryman, signaller, etc. assigned to a jump unit. Then you do two weeks of push-ups followed by two days of static-line jumping to earn Basic Parachutist Wings. Once qualified, you will be lucky to do 6 static-line jumps per year, maybe from 1,000 feet.

There are three other options if you want to jump while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces: Skyhawks, SAR and another-unit-that-prefers-not-to-be-mentioned-in-public.
The Skyhawks mostly employ reservists on short-term contracts these days. Before applying you should hold a CSPA A Certificate of Proficiency and have a high tolerance for BS. Since the Skyhawks primary mission is public relations, they only do a handful of exhibition jumps per week. And as chuteless said earlier, just when they get good, the season ends.
Search and Rescue Technicians do way more jumps than most other serving members, but remember that their primary task is emergency medicine, jumping just happens to be another way to get to the scene of the accident.
Currently several Canadian DZs are training SAR and JTF to CSPA A Certificate level. What they will do after that is a mystery.
So if you are keen on jumping, ask your recruiter to post you to a Canadian Forces Base near a CSPA DZ and jump your ass off on weekends.
And remember that promises made by recruiters only count if they are in writing.

MCpl. Rob Warner (ret'd) CD, BA, etc.

[AdD 1]

That's good to know, saves me a trip to the recruiter's office. law school it is ;)

Life is ez
On the dz
Every jumper's dream
3 rigs and an airstream

[Synergie 0]

Quote

There are three other options if you want to jump while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces: Skyhawks, SAR and another-unit-that-prefers-not-to-be-mentioned-in-public.

Hmmm JTF2 maybe??