steve1

So long, Deuce. I didn't know you well. I guess BSing on the internet doesn't allow a person to really know another person, but you had my respect and you will be missed. I remember the time when I posted a picture of my two daughters and you posted a picture of your two twins sitting on your canopy at your feet. I know you loved your daughters and family as much as I do mine. You'll be in our thoughts for years to come....Steve1

I guess I got some bad info. I talked to soldier the other day who said they were no longer used. Maybe they were just broke down. Thanks....Steve1

Muenkel, I just put two and two together after reading your post, and realize that Deuce is gone. I just grabbed my August Parachutist and there was Deuce's picture in back. I feel kind of sick. Although I never met him I've talked to him on these forums several times, and read many of his threads. He posted a picture of his daughters a few year back. What a terrible loss. I know he was making a lot of camera jumps. What happened? I've been away from the computer for a couple months....Steve1

I was just wondering when the Army stopped using the 250 ft. tower in jump school. That was one of the scariest parts of airborne training. For those who aren't familiar with this....you were hoisted 250 feet into the air with a inflated T10 above you, and then released. They would hoist three jumpers up at a time. Once in a while the wind would change and someone would hit the tower. Really scary shit! Probably a good idea they stopped all that....Steve1

QuoteLeesville was a true shithole. reply............................... There are some truly great people in Louisiana and some beautiful country down there, but during the 70's, I often heard people call Ft. Polk the ass hole of the United States. Tigerland at North Fort was the training grounds of thousands of infantry troops headed for Nam. The draft would accept about anyone during that time period. Many were told either to go into the military or go to jail. One day I was coming out of our barracks at Tiger Land. A group of black soldiers were sitting on the steps. Being a stupid kid from Montana I thought I'd be neighborly and say something. So, I said, "Boy, it sure is a nice day." I didn't mean anything by the word boy. I say that to everyone. The next thing you know I was surrounded by blacks who wanted to nock the crap out of me because I called them "Boy". In some places you had to wear a steel pot around the barracks area because someone might throw something out the window at you. One Black guy, in our company, was bragging all the time about a White guy he shot and murdered in a parking lot, back home. A friend of mine, that I started Basic with, was a smokejumper from Montana. He later became a Special Forces medic. In training, at Ft. Polk, he was recycled because of an altercation with some blacks. I didn't see him again, until months later, at Ft. Bragg. I'll tell you, in 1970, it wasn't much fun to be a soldier....Steve1

I think the reason it was caused Fayetenam in 1970 was because it was such a wild place, (somewhat like a war zone). I'm glad things are better now. We had one guy, in our training company, that ended up with way over a hundred-stiches one night, when someone tried to carve him up with a knife. They paraded this guy around our company area in his underwear. This was supposed to be a lesson as what can happen if you go to the wrong place by yourself. The crazy bastard, (a white guy), had tried to fight off a black fellow, with a knife. He had slashes all over his arms and legs, before he got smart and ran. The real lesson to me was never try to fight off a guy with a knife, if you can run. He finally did run off, with the other guy was in hot pursuit. Finally he hid in the bushes, and survived that night. This not so smart, White-guy was trying to move in on the other fellow's woman, in a bar, when things led to a fight. The black guy with the knife was intent on killing him, and even told him so, after pulling the knife. On another night in Fayetteville, the two guys I came to town with got their rears kicked. We were separated for a short time at our Motel. The next time I saw them they both had their faces covered in blood. An altercation had started over little or nothing, when two guys punched their lights out. Several days later we ran into the same two guys who beat them up. They were in the chow line going into breakfast, on Smoke Bomb hill. We were all Special Forces trainees going in to get some chow. These two were very apologetic over beating up my buddies. At that point, all was forgiven. So many of the bad asses in Fayetenam were soldiers from Ft. Bragg who had too much to drink. Some were returning Vets from Viet Nam, who truly were scary characters. Get too much booze into some of these guys, and things often turned ugly. There was also a huge amount of racial tension, in Military, in 1970. You could really feel the anger cooking at times. Not only was it felt in the Military, it was also on the streets during that time period. I went through basic and infantry training at Ft. Polk in 69 and 70. I honestly think that Leesville, Louisiana was a scarier place to be than Fayetville (during those years). I could tell some more stories, but maybe I better quit before anyone gets too bored....Steve1

There aren't many DZ's in Montana, but this is one of the most scenic. The Bitteroot Selway Wilderness is to the West, with the Saphire Mtns. to the East. The jumpers here are friendly and very experienced. Only one Cessna is available at present. Their aren't many college jumpers remaining in this club, but it is the oldest collegiate club in the U.S. This is also the 40th anniversary of the Silvertip Skydivers. The boogie in Sept. promises to be a good one. At least one large aircraft will be available for that. A friendly place to jump....Steve

I too started in the days when everyone wore motorcycle helmets. I later went to a protec and use a Z-1 now. Some people feel claustrophobic in a full face helmet. I've never felt that though. I really like keeping all that wind out, particularly on a cold day. I used to hate messing with goggles that fogged up if you put them on early and then trying to get the right tension on the band under your helmet. We used portia goggles in the 70's. They left a lot to be desired. So, again I like a full face helmet just fine. There may be a few draw back though. I've noticed when tracking away that I have some problem reading my chest mount altimeter with my Z-1. It's hard to look directly down with one. I've since learned to turn my head to the right and I can still read that old altimeter that I bought in 1972. On a demo once, I needed to open the top of my jump suit to dig out a streamer after opening. I wasted several seconds trying to dig things out of there because I just couldn't look down enough with my Z-1 on my head. A full face helmet can fog up too if you breathe wrong at higher altitudes. A Protec probably offers a lot more protection than a Z-1. But despite all this, I'd buy another full face helmet. I really like them....Steve1

I started with Army static lines when I was barely 20. Started skydiving when I was 21 or 22....Steve1

You might mail your rig off to someone who'll pack a round reserve. I'd bet Fred at Lost Prairie would pack it for you. Florida is a long way from Montana though. There's probably many riggers who live closer, who could get it packed. I've got two reserve rides on 24 foot chest reserves. One I stood up. The other I sprained both ankles in a rock pile. I'd recommend jumping the gear you have. Buy some newer used gear when you can afford it. It's too bad our sport is becoming a rich man's game....Steve1

There's jumping at the airport in Hamilton, Mt. You'll have a cool view of the Bitterroot Selway Wilderness on your climb to altitude. When you get to Missoula give Gary (Hod) Sanders a call. He owns Skydive Montana, which is in Ronan, Montana. There you'll fly over the Mission Mountains and see the Bob Marshal beyond that. A real friendly place to jump. I hope the recent rains help. There have been several new forest fires this week. The smoke is starting to get the sky hazy. See you at the boogie....Steve1

I haven't been to Fayeteville since 1970. It's interesting that many still call it Fayetenam. I need to make a trip back to that town and Ft. Bragg, some time before I kick the bucket. I had some friends who had near death experiences in that town, so be careful where you go. Most of my memories were good ones though. Raeford is definitely going to be one of my stops, sometime in the future. Those girly joints sound good too! I wonder if they'll let old farts in?....Steve1

In the olden days bandit jumps were probably a lot more common. Bob Sinclair made a bandit jump into what I believe was, the Rose Bowl Game, back in the day, with a round. I don't think anyone knew, until he came floating down. It took very large balls to do some of the things he has done. Bob Sinclair is my hero....Steve1

.................................................. I'd discuss this carefully with a Psychiatrist. Lithium is often the medication given for bi-polar illness. I'm not familiar with all it's side affects. Some medications may not allow you to skydive safely. Your Drop Zone may not allow you to jump if that is the case. Bi-polar illness is nothing to sneeze at. It often results in dramatic mood swings that can result in some truly bizarre behaviors. The depression can be life threatening. People often ruin their life while in the manic phase. I wouldn't recommend anyone stopping needed medication, just to skydive. Anti-psychotic medication is sometimes prescribed along with Lithium for treatment. You need to be thoroughly informed on all the side affects of your medication to skydive safely. Skydiving and your medication may not be compatable. Hopefully the right doctor can set you straight on this...I doubt if any DZO or pilot would be a reliable source of information....Steve1

Sparky has probably forgot more about skydiving than I'll ever know. He's also one of the good guys that I look up to on these forums. So, I hope some critical remarks don't rum him off. And hell yes, I'll drink to Sparky too....Steve1

What a great old video! It brought back a lot of memories. The Golden Knights were really hard to beat back then. I always looked up to them. Isn't that an H-34 Choctah helicopter? Correct me if I'm wrong. I had several static line Army jumps out of them, in about 72. Hueys were more fun....Steve1

............................................................. There is treatment and medication available for most types of mental illness. Much of the time it is very effective. I've talked to mental health professionals that have a very dismal outlook on treating a pedifile. No form of treatment that I know of, has proven effective. I would be very skeptical of any pedifile that claims to be cured of this.....Steve1

Hey B.J. I often wondered if you ever looked in on these forums. Try to stop in at Lost Prairie if you get the chance, for the boogie. I heard that Chris was there last year. I missed seeing her. There should be several old Silvertips and Ospreys there. It would be fun to get an old timers load up. We'd even let you organize it....Steve Anders

I just realized that I miss the sight of para-commanders coming down. I think the coldest water I've ever been in is on the Oregon Coast. I'd hate like hell to land in all that current and waves!... Usually the wind there never stops blowing. Most days the wind is really stiff. There's nothing but houses and huge trees on the other side of that beach. If you had a bad spot or if the wind kicked up, it could be a good place to die. Sheridan was dangerous enough for me!.....Steve1

Adam, It's been so many years, that I really can't recall. I mostly jumped with the Silvertips in Missoula, but I was also an Osprey for a short time. I've got an old membership card (for the Osprey club) with your dad's signature on it, but I can's seem to find that either. I'll keep looking....Steve1

................................... Don't be so judgmental! I usually vote democrat, But that doesn't mean I don't believe in the right to gun ownership....Steve1

There's several reasons I own the guns I have. Let's see now....To hunt with. For defense against bears, or other critters that might want to eat me in the back country. Home defense. For an uncertain future, that may be sooner than you think. For dispatching any varmit that might want to eat my pets. For dispatching a horse or mule that is badly injured in the back country. (I'd hate to try doing that with a knife or big rock.) For dispatching a steer when it's time to butcher. Shooting skunks and cats that get in the chicken house. For target practicing. Or just for the enjoyment of collecting some quality fire-arms. Give me a minute and I'll come up with some more reasons.....Steve1

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Long range shooting is a great challenge. It takes a super accurate rifle, precision reloading, and a lot of practice. Probably the hardest part of all is figuring out the range. Being off as little as 30 yards can make a big difference. And then there is the wind factor. To tell you the truth, I've never done much shooting beyond 500 yards. But even that is a challenge. Most of my shooting is in preparation for hunting season. I seldom take a shot beyond three hundred yards at big game, but the long range practice, at the range, can make shorter shots easy. On one occaision a wounded antelope, wounded by another hunter was getting away. He stopped at what I estimated to be a hair over 500 yards. I took one shot, and he dropped, hit through both lungs. I'm not a fan of long range shooting for hunting, because of the chance of wounding something, but it's good to know you can probably make that long shot, if you need to. Although I've never done any 1,000 yard shooting, I think I'd like it.....Steve1

About 12 years! I was trying to do it without borrowing money. Then I had the opportunity to buy some land and build a small house, so that was a set back financially. I didn't want to be a timber faller all my life, and finally finished school. My Masters took about three years, while working full time.....Steve1

Thanks for sharing, Jim. We'd love to hear more of your stories....