Day: April 28, 2009 JUMP DAY #2
Weather report: mid-80’s today, humidity 44% wind 10-15 SE
The second day of jumps started this morning at 0230hrs with my alarm clock blaring. I got up shaved and drank a Gatorade and headed to formation. Formation was a 0350hrs for manifest and roll call. We then headed out to the PIT to do our pre-jump briefs and malfunction refresher, PLF’s and move out. Back down the hill to the harness shed and jumped out of the mock doors for a refresher and breakfast. MRE’s again of course, I ended up with chili mac and down it pretty quickly. We only had a few minutes to eat and go back into the harness shed. We headed out to get our reserves and parachutes to return and set them up for buddy rigging. A quick ten minute break and back into the harness shed for JMPI and sitting on our fourth point of contact.
The difference with our first jump of the day was were jumped full combat equipment and had to put an extra 45lbs on our bodies. It was a lot of weight on our shoulder and pretty difficult to walk. We made it though! Out the door and waddled to the aircraft, through the jet blast, propeller wash, and up the ramp at 1045hrs. Slowly this time! They stacked us in the C-130 like sardines. It was nuts. I was happy to see the first thirty jumpers leave the aircraft so we could spread out and move around a little. The next pass and we were out the door. At the three-thousand count; my chute was above me and I was headed for the leading edge of the drop zone, this was prefect. I began to observe my area and get ready to lower my combat equipment. At about two hundred feet I release my ruck sack down the 15’ lowering line. I untied my M-1950 weapons case and hit the quick release on it, it slid down to my chute and I was preparing to land. At 100’ I pulled a rear slip and contact, I performed a front right PLF, released my canopy, slid out of my harness and started through my tactical process of recovering my gear. First pull your equipment to you, next take the adjusting straps off the harness and the quick release off the harness. Attach them to your belt loops and pull your canopy to you and stuff them into the aviator’s kit bag. The next step is to put on your ruck sack, place the reserve over your head with the aviator’s kit bag facing to the rear and your parachute on the front side. Place the weapons carrying case on top of the kit bag, conduct a 360 degree view of your area to ensure that you have not left anything and head to the assembly area. Everyone in my chalk made it just fine. There were a few jumpers that had some problems. One female broke her forearm, another soldier broke a leg, and several had rolled or twisted ankles. I found out this morning that a soldier broke his leg and ankle on a jump yesterday and had to have surgery on it this morning. I don’t have any additional information on that at this time.
Lunch time! Guess what MRE’s and we did not have time to eat them. Get your gear and get on the buses we have to get this jump in before the winds pick-up. Someone picked up my reserve will I was in the latrine and I had to wait for everyone to pick up one. The guy from the other chalk had two. Of course one of them was mine. My jump team had already got on a bus and headed back. I caught a ride back with the first chalk and had to hurry to catch up with my chalk. They were on a break when I arrived. I had to put my combat equipment back together, get a new chute, and have my reserve chute inspected. Finally, I got to take a break with the first chalk and then got back in rhythm with my chalk. We put on our new chutes and here comes the Jumpmasters. The JMPI and sit down, watch the move again, and load the planes again at 1445hrs. This time we had an objective when we landing. We had a role play today similar to the invasion of Normandy; this was one of the greatest airborne operations in history. Chalks one thru four had to secure the south most end of the drop zone and set-up blocking points on three intersections. We preformed with precision. The senior NCOs’ took charge and made it happen. It was an amazing operation! We cleared the objectives and headed back to the assembly area. Dinner, MRE’s I had the roast beef this time and was starving. It was great! We had time to sit down and drink water, a lot of water and I needed it. It was hot and muggy and we had walked over two miles in a tactical formation. Secured our area and walked another two miles to the assembly area. This was real world training and I loved every minute of it. We waited on the buses to come get us and take us back to the harness shed. My platoon was scheduled to shack out chutes today but got changed to tomorrow. We were surprised and happy. They released us at 1845hrs. Formation tomorrow will be at 1400hrs in our normal training uniform.
Tomorrow will be a night full combat jump and our final jump here. All we need to do it exit the aircraft and we graduate on Friday and will be AIRBORNE qualified. No more running all over Ft. Benning, GA. We can walk with pride because we will not be dirty nasty legs (no airborne qualified personal). What a wonderful day Friday is going to be. Silver Wings on my chest and on the way home to see my wonderful family and hug my children.
The C-130 is the most amazing place I have ever been with Airborne personal. It is a flying Chapel. There is more praying and asking GOD for help, forgiveness, and peace. I do it too! I thank GOD everyday for all the things I am so blessed to have and for walking with me and stepping off the C-130 and being there on the drop zone when I land. He is my rock and my strength, this is all for his glory and honor! May I be able to be a witness and a leader for HIM.
PULL-UPS for the day: 20
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Day: April 27, 2009
Day: April 27, 2009 JUMP DAY
Weather report: mid-80’s today, humidity 40% wind 10 SSE
This morning was an early one. I started at 0245hrs with my alarm clock blaring and my day began. I had two Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts with a canteen of water and headed out for formation. Formation and manifest call for the jumps. We were counted and recounted several times. It was crazy but called for. We then headed for the PIT. At the PIT everyone in the Company had to perform a proper front, left, right, and rear PLF to move to the harness shed. After everyone had successfully completed the exercise we ran one mile to the harness. I thought it was crazy to make us run that far before a jump but found out that it helps loosen you up and gives the instructors of personal that may have injuries.
In formation at the harness shed and MRE’s for breakfast. I had the beef stew one for breakfast. Now on your feet and inside the harness shed. We finally got in the harness shed at 0700hrs and the HURRY-UP and WAIT began. We had another accountability check and then moved out by our new chalks to acquire our parachute harness and reserve chute. We placed our arm thru the harness straps with our right arms and placed our right hand on our helmet. We carried our reserve in our left hand by the reserve carrying handle located on the top. When we returned to the harness shed we were back in roster order number and standing by our bench. The orders were to disconnect all the attachments and fully extend them, fold the aviator kit bag, and place the reserve on the top of the bench with the rip cord grip facing away from you. Once that is completed you are on a ten minute break. After the break we were instructed to size our parachute to fit our body. This is done by unsnapping the buttons on the back of the parachute tray and moving it into another hole. You do this one strap at a time to avoid twisted our rerouting the back straps. There are five slots available for adjustment. The very bottom one is the largest adjustment; then you move up to size four, size three, size two, and small. My chute harness fits me best in size three. I think that the majority of the Company is a size three. We did the buddy rigging again, but this time it was for real. We were very careful with ensuring everything was properly hooked-up and routed to ensure we were safe. Then the fun started. JMPI!
Jumpmaster Pre-jump Inspection! We had jumpmasters all over the place. The demonstration was dead on the money, just like everything else here at the school. The jumpmasters went through each and every member of the Company and initialed our helmets after they had completed the task. We were instructed to sit down and place our right hand on the rip cord grip and not to touch anything. After about an hour of sitting there we were allowed to stand up and adjust our leg straps and anything else that needed to be adjusted. At this time the jumpmasters conducted a front and rear inspection. This is the final check before loading the aircraft. Then the waiting continued.
After some shouting over the intercom a movie started to play on the TV’s in the harness shed. The movie was the MACON brief. This explains the demotions of the drop zone, any possible hazards, or hazard areas. Soon after the planes fired up and started rolling toward the harness shed. They started loading the aircraft at 1000hrs and started with chalk 12 and 11. I am in chalk three so I waited a long time. Each time one of the two C-130’s from the Air National Guard would roll-up two chalks would get up and leave. The two planes were from Alaska and West Virginia. Pretty soon it was my time. My chalk stood up and headed by two’s to the aircraft. My first jump was going to be out of the left door. That means we exit the left rear door facing the back of the aircraft.
The doors rolled up and the plane turned to approach the loading area. We started towards the rear of the aircraft to load up the ramp at 1230hrs. When we started to approach the heat from the engines and the JP 8 aircraft fuel, along with the jet was propelled us backward and made us dig down and lean into the draft to load. We moved toward the nose of the aircraft and set in the cargo seats. Not in the netting they actually had the seats in the aircraft. This was a first for me, every C-130 I have ever been on one had the cargo netting for seats. Lift off, we were airborne and the only way off the plane was through a door on the side. The sounds rand out, TEN MINUTES! It was almost time to go. The jumpmasters continued, GET READY. I was in the second pass so I watched as all my new friends performed the drill and prepared to exit the aircraft. OUT BOARD PERSONAL, STAND-UP! INBOARD PERSONAL, STAND-UP! It was getting close. HOOK-UP! This means go time, no turning back now. CHECK STATIC LINE! Trace down from the point of attachment, four in the hand, two below, and trace it to your shoulder, then trace it from the jumper in front of you down their shoulder into the first loop, and hit them on the helmet and sound off with, SAFE. CHECK EQUIPMENT! Our little jingle, Helmet, Chin Strap, Chest Strap, Left and Right Leg Strap, at each point of the jingle you touch the piece of equipment and ensure that you have everything completely closed and that nothing has come loose during movement to and on the aircraft. SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK! A slap will start at the back of the jump stick and each jumper will slap the person in front of him on the fourth of contact (buttock) and send it up the line until it reaches the jumpmaster. The jumper in the door position will sound off with, ALL O.K. JUMPMASTER! Then the nerves started kicking in for some of the jumpers. ONE MINUTE! THIRTY-SECONDS! STANDY-BY! The jumpmasters are waiting on the green light. It flashes and with a smack on the number one jumpers’ buttock he disappeared out the door. A flash of daylight and then another one left the aircraft, then another, until they were all gone. All that was left swinging in the air was the static line that pulled their chutes open. The plane turned and headed back around for the next pass. It was my turn to exit now. The process started over. At first, this morning I thought about things and wondered what would happen if my chute didn’t open and my reserve failed. The things that come to mind before you exit an aircraft. I prayed about it last night and this morning and had peace like I have never felt before. I was not nervous at all and was a comfort to some of my fellow jumpers. It was amazing to follow the commands and get ready to exit the C-130 in fight for the first time. THIRTY-SECONDS! The time was here. My chalk began to move out the door, I was number seven. I handed off my static line and pushed hard and out the door I went. WOOSH! I forgot to start counting. So did everyone else I talked to on the ground. At first I felt the heat of the jet blast and then the wind, I saw my feet, the rear of the plane go by and then a sharp smooth tug above me. A beautiful silk green mushroom was above me. My parachute opened and I had no twists or any malfunctions. The wind picked-up and I started drifting to the edge of the drop-zone. While I was floating at 1200’ it was so peaceful, no sound at all, until I heard the jumpmasters on the ground yelling at us to pull the correct slip. I was drifting towards the trees. They were only six to ten feet high, but they were still trees. I pulled as much rear left diagonal slip as I could and my feet hit the ground. I did my PLF on the dirt road next to the tree line. My parachute covered four small long needle white pine trees on the west side of the DZ. I had made it, now it was time for me to recover my parachute. I was pulling on static lines, bending the small trees over and finally secured my canopy from the tree line. My buddy drifted way off into the trees and I didn’t see him until we got back to the assembly area. I reported it to the Blackhat’s as soon as one came by to check on me. They went and picked him up.
At the assembly area we had an MRE for lunch, this time it was Cheese Manicotti. Not bad at all. I was starving, anything would have been good. We put our chutes into the back of a tractor trailer and got on a bus back to the harness shed.
At the harness shed we had our reserves checked and got a new parachute. Back to the benches to gear up for the next jump. The other chalks that left the assembly area before us were already JMPI’d and ready for the bird. We started the buddy rigging again. JMPI, sit watch the video again, front and rear check, and get ready to go again. It was 1550hrs when my bird came to throw me out again. On the aircraft much of the same but this time we switched doors. I was to exit out of the right door and was the number three man. The guy in front of me had been real nervous and acting funny, he said that he was fine. All the commands went off without a problem. We started to the door and he stopped after the first person jumped and stutter stepped and caused me to get out of rhythm. I jumped and began to twist in air. This is not a problem, but it kind of a wild ride. I counted this time and got to three thousand and that wonderful tug on the shoulders, my parachute blossomed open nice and round. I had about eight twists and was wound up like a kid on a swing in the yard. I checked my canopy and it was good, and then began the process to correct my risers. I reached back behind my head pulled down and out on the risers and began bicycling my feet. This motion made me start to spin and the twists came right out. Now it was time to prepare to land again. I found myself drifting and was able to correct my drift and land almost center of the drop zone. It was a prefect PLF and I quickly gathered my gear and started to move out when Petty Officer First Class Pierce started down. I went to a knee and waited for him to land. A PLF and he was on the ground, the wind gusted and began to drag him down the drop zone. I yelled at him to activate a canopy release and he did. It continued to drag him. I ran a jumped on the partially deflated the chute and it died down. I then checked on the Petty Officer. We was grateful, it had pulled him over twelve feet and would have continued to drag him unless someone helped him out. He had dirt all over him and this fine powdery dust here made him look like a cinnamon coated sailor. We gathered hi gear a headed for the assembly area. On the way two soldiers collided in air and their parachutes collapsed. They followed all the proper steps, activated their reserves and made a successful landing. We all made it through jumps one and two. A few rolled or twisted ankles from improper landing procedures, but nothing else at this time. GOD was with each of us today and I thank him for all that HE does for us and will continue to do!
It is time for me to get to bed and try and get some rest. Formation will be at 0350hrs in the morning and we will conduct a combat jump in the morning starting at 1000hrs followed by another jump starting at 1500hrs. It will be an extremely long day tomorrow. We must get all the parachutes that the company has jumped out and shake the chutes out. This is done to help the riggers fold and put the chutes back in the harness pack trays. We will be out in the harness area until at least 2200hrs tomorrow night. The good thing we will be able to sleep the following the morning and formation will be at 1300hrs on Wednesday.
Enough for now, more adventure tomorrow.
PULL-UPS for the day: 20
Weather report: mid-80’s today, humidity 40% wind 10 SSE
This morning was an early one. I started at 0245hrs with my alarm clock blaring and my day began. I had two Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts with a canteen of water and headed out for formation. Formation and manifest call for the jumps. We were counted and recounted several times. It was crazy but called for. We then headed for the PIT. At the PIT everyone in the Company had to perform a proper front, left, right, and rear PLF to move to the harness shed. After everyone had successfully completed the exercise we ran one mile to the harness. I thought it was crazy to make us run that far before a jump but found out that it helps loosen you up and gives the instructors of personal that may have injuries.
In formation at the harness shed and MRE’s for breakfast. I had the beef stew one for breakfast. Now on your feet and inside the harness shed. We finally got in the harness shed at 0700hrs and the HURRY-UP and WAIT began. We had another accountability check and then moved out by our new chalks to acquire our parachute harness and reserve chute. We placed our arm thru the harness straps with our right arms and placed our right hand on our helmet. We carried our reserve in our left hand by the reserve carrying handle located on the top. When we returned to the harness shed we were back in roster order number and standing by our bench. The orders were to disconnect all the attachments and fully extend them, fold the aviator kit bag, and place the reserve on the top of the bench with the rip cord grip facing away from you. Once that is completed you are on a ten minute break. After the break we were instructed to size our parachute to fit our body. This is done by unsnapping the buttons on the back of the parachute tray and moving it into another hole. You do this one strap at a time to avoid twisted our rerouting the back straps. There are five slots available for adjustment. The very bottom one is the largest adjustment; then you move up to size four, size three, size two, and small. My chute harness fits me best in size three. I think that the majority of the Company is a size three. We did the buddy rigging again, but this time it was for real. We were very careful with ensuring everything was properly hooked-up and routed to ensure we were safe. Then the fun started. JMPI!
Jumpmaster Pre-jump Inspection! We had jumpmasters all over the place. The demonstration was dead on the money, just like everything else here at the school. The jumpmasters went through each and every member of the Company and initialed our helmets after they had completed the task. We were instructed to sit down and place our right hand on the rip cord grip and not to touch anything. After about an hour of sitting there we were allowed to stand up and adjust our leg straps and anything else that needed to be adjusted. At this time the jumpmasters conducted a front and rear inspection. This is the final check before loading the aircraft. Then the waiting continued.
After some shouting over the intercom a movie started to play on the TV’s in the harness shed. The movie was the MACON brief. This explains the demotions of the drop zone, any possible hazards, or hazard areas. Soon after the planes fired up and started rolling toward the harness shed. They started loading the aircraft at 1000hrs and started with chalk 12 and 11. I am in chalk three so I waited a long time. Each time one of the two C-130’s from the Air National Guard would roll-up two chalks would get up and leave. The two planes were from Alaska and West Virginia. Pretty soon it was my time. My chalk stood up and headed by two’s to the aircraft. My first jump was going to be out of the left door. That means we exit the left rear door facing the back of the aircraft.
The doors rolled up and the plane turned to approach the loading area. We started towards the rear of the aircraft to load up the ramp at 1230hrs. When we started to approach the heat from the engines and the JP 8 aircraft fuel, along with the jet was propelled us backward and made us dig down and lean into the draft to load. We moved toward the nose of the aircraft and set in the cargo seats. Not in the netting they actually had the seats in the aircraft. This was a first for me, every C-130 I have ever been on one had the cargo netting for seats. Lift off, we were airborne and the only way off the plane was through a door on the side. The sounds rand out, TEN MINUTES! It was almost time to go. The jumpmasters continued, GET READY. I was in the second pass so I watched as all my new friends performed the drill and prepared to exit the aircraft. OUT BOARD PERSONAL, STAND-UP! INBOARD PERSONAL, STAND-UP! It was getting close. HOOK-UP! This means go time, no turning back now. CHECK STATIC LINE! Trace down from the point of attachment, four in the hand, two below, and trace it to your shoulder, then trace it from the jumper in front of you down their shoulder into the first loop, and hit them on the helmet and sound off with, SAFE. CHECK EQUIPMENT! Our little jingle, Helmet, Chin Strap, Chest Strap, Left and Right Leg Strap, at each point of the jingle you touch the piece of equipment and ensure that you have everything completely closed and that nothing has come loose during movement to and on the aircraft. SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK! A slap will start at the back of the jump stick and each jumper will slap the person in front of him on the fourth of contact (buttock) and send it up the line until it reaches the jumpmaster. The jumper in the door position will sound off with, ALL O.K. JUMPMASTER! Then the nerves started kicking in for some of the jumpers. ONE MINUTE! THIRTY-SECONDS! STANDY-BY! The jumpmasters are waiting on the green light. It flashes and with a smack on the number one jumpers’ buttock he disappeared out the door. A flash of daylight and then another one left the aircraft, then another, until they were all gone. All that was left swinging in the air was the static line that pulled their chutes open. The plane turned and headed back around for the next pass. It was my turn to exit now. The process started over. At first, this morning I thought about things and wondered what would happen if my chute didn’t open and my reserve failed. The things that come to mind before you exit an aircraft. I prayed about it last night and this morning and had peace like I have never felt before. I was not nervous at all and was a comfort to some of my fellow jumpers. It was amazing to follow the commands and get ready to exit the C-130 in fight for the first time. THIRTY-SECONDS! The time was here. My chalk began to move out the door, I was number seven. I handed off my static line and pushed hard and out the door I went. WOOSH! I forgot to start counting. So did everyone else I talked to on the ground. At first I felt the heat of the jet blast and then the wind, I saw my feet, the rear of the plane go by and then a sharp smooth tug above me. A beautiful silk green mushroom was above me. My parachute opened and I had no twists or any malfunctions. The wind picked-up and I started drifting to the edge of the drop-zone. While I was floating at 1200’ it was so peaceful, no sound at all, until I heard the jumpmasters on the ground yelling at us to pull the correct slip. I was drifting towards the trees. They were only six to ten feet high, but they were still trees. I pulled as much rear left diagonal slip as I could and my feet hit the ground. I did my PLF on the dirt road next to the tree line. My parachute covered four small long needle white pine trees on the west side of the DZ. I had made it, now it was time for me to recover my parachute. I was pulling on static lines, bending the small trees over and finally secured my canopy from the tree line. My buddy drifted way off into the trees and I didn’t see him until we got back to the assembly area. I reported it to the Blackhat’s as soon as one came by to check on me. They went and picked him up.
At the assembly area we had an MRE for lunch, this time it was Cheese Manicotti. Not bad at all. I was starving, anything would have been good. We put our chutes into the back of a tractor trailer and got on a bus back to the harness shed.
At the harness shed we had our reserves checked and got a new parachute. Back to the benches to gear up for the next jump. The other chalks that left the assembly area before us were already JMPI’d and ready for the bird. We started the buddy rigging again. JMPI, sit watch the video again, front and rear check, and get ready to go again. It was 1550hrs when my bird came to throw me out again. On the aircraft much of the same but this time we switched doors. I was to exit out of the right door and was the number three man. The guy in front of me had been real nervous and acting funny, he said that he was fine. All the commands went off without a problem. We started to the door and he stopped after the first person jumped and stutter stepped and caused me to get out of rhythm. I jumped and began to twist in air. This is not a problem, but it kind of a wild ride. I counted this time and got to three thousand and that wonderful tug on the shoulders, my parachute blossomed open nice and round. I had about eight twists and was wound up like a kid on a swing in the yard. I checked my canopy and it was good, and then began the process to correct my risers. I reached back behind my head pulled down and out on the risers and began bicycling my feet. This motion made me start to spin and the twists came right out. Now it was time to prepare to land again. I found myself drifting and was able to correct my drift and land almost center of the drop zone. It was a prefect PLF and I quickly gathered my gear and started to move out when Petty Officer First Class Pierce started down. I went to a knee and waited for him to land. A PLF and he was on the ground, the wind gusted and began to drag him down the drop zone. I yelled at him to activate a canopy release and he did. It continued to drag him. I ran a jumped on the partially deflated the chute and it died down. I then checked on the Petty Officer. We was grateful, it had pulled him over twelve feet and would have continued to drag him unless someone helped him out. He had dirt all over him and this fine powdery dust here made him look like a cinnamon coated sailor. We gathered hi gear a headed for the assembly area. On the way two soldiers collided in air and their parachutes collapsed. They followed all the proper steps, activated their reserves and made a successful landing. We all made it through jumps one and two. A few rolled or twisted ankles from improper landing procedures, but nothing else at this time. GOD was with each of us today and I thank him for all that HE does for us and will continue to do!
It is time for me to get to bed and try and get some rest. Formation will be at 0350hrs in the morning and we will conduct a combat jump in the morning starting at 1000hrs followed by another jump starting at 1500hrs. It will be an extremely long day tomorrow. We must get all the parachutes that the company has jumped out and shake the chutes out. This is done to help the riggers fold and put the chutes back in the harness pack trays. We will be out in the harness area until at least 2200hrs tomorrow night. The good thing we will be able to sleep the following the morning and formation will be at 1300hrs on Wednesday.
Enough for now, more adventure tomorrow.
PULL-UPS for the day: 20
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Day: April 26, 2009
Day: April 26, 2009
Weather report: mid-90’s today, humidity 24% wind calm today, that’s a first
Today is laundry and haircut day. The 1SG and I are going to Ranger Joe’s to get haircuts and he needs a new set of dog tags. We conducted a dog tag inspection on Friday and he had on the wrong set. He left his personal ones in Okinawa, Japan. The ones he has been wearing are from a Marine he lost in Iraq. He wears them in his honor and memory. He said, “He was the only Marine he lost on their deployment”. I admire him for keeping the dog tags with him and remembering the Marine that he lost serving our country.
We went and had lunch at Chili’s and it was ok. Not the best thing I have had since I’ve been here nut good. We the headed back to the barracks and for the get together. It was hot. Everyone was miserable so no one hung out very long and retreated to the comfort of their rooms.
Formation was at 1800hrs today. The recall formation was a joke. We had an accountability check and then they made us all drink a drink mix to keep us from getting dehydrated tomorrow. Our formation in the morning is at 0400hrs. We are scheduled to jump TWO times tomorrow; one normal (Hollywood) jump and the other one with full combat equipment. Wish us luck and may GOD keep us all safe!
PULL-UPS for the day: 0
Weather report: mid-90’s today, humidity 24% wind calm today, that’s a first
Today is laundry and haircut day. The 1SG and I are going to Ranger Joe’s to get haircuts and he needs a new set of dog tags. We conducted a dog tag inspection on Friday and he had on the wrong set. He left his personal ones in Okinawa, Japan. The ones he has been wearing are from a Marine he lost in Iraq. He wears them in his honor and memory. He said, “He was the only Marine he lost on their deployment”. I admire him for keeping the dog tags with him and remembering the Marine that he lost serving our country.
We went and had lunch at Chili’s and it was ok. Not the best thing I have had since I’ve been here nut good. We the headed back to the barracks and for the get together. It was hot. Everyone was miserable so no one hung out very long and retreated to the comfort of their rooms.
Formation was at 1800hrs today. The recall formation was a joke. We had an accountability check and then they made us all drink a drink mix to keep us from getting dehydrated tomorrow. Our formation in the morning is at 0400hrs. We are scheduled to jump TWO times tomorrow; one normal (Hollywood) jump and the other one with full combat equipment. Wish us luck and may GOD keep us all safe!
PULL-UPS for the day: 0
Day: April 25, 2009
Day: April 25, 2009
Weather report: low-90’s today, humidity 48% wind is about 15 SW
It is Saturday and I tried to sleep in but it did not happen. I was awake at 0430hrs as usual. I attempted to go back to sleep but had a few problems sleeping. I tossed and turned so I just lay around and watched T.V. I went out with Kirvin and was going to meet LT Corley and his wife but they were not able to make it. We went to Outback and ran into several people from our platoon and pretty much took over the patio and just talked about the course and instructors and hung out. It was nice to get to know our people better. We finally broke the hang out up around 2200hrs. I haven’t been up that late since I have been here. I was turning into a pumpkin and needed to go to sleep. Tomorrow we have the grill reserved in our common area and are going to grill out and have some social time. Off to bed.
PULL-UPS for the day: 0
Weather report: low-90’s today, humidity 48% wind is about 15 SW
It is Saturday and I tried to sleep in but it did not happen. I was awake at 0430hrs as usual. I attempted to go back to sleep but had a few problems sleeping. I tossed and turned so I just lay around and watched T.V. I went out with Kirvin and was going to meet LT Corley and his wife but they were not able to make it. We went to Outback and ran into several people from our platoon and pretty much took over the patio and just talked about the course and instructors and hung out. It was nice to get to know our people better. We finally broke the hang out up around 2200hrs. I haven’t been up that late since I have been here. I was turning into a pumpkin and needed to go to sleep. Tomorrow we have the grill reserved in our common area and are going to grill out and have some social time. Off to bed.
PULL-UPS for the day: 0
Friday, April 24, 2009
Day: April 24, 2009
Day: April 24, 2009
Weather report: low-90’s today, humidity 44% wind is about 5 SW
We started the day with a 4.2 mile run after our normal 0530hrs formation and finished with our normal 100 four count flutter kicks, push-ups and side straddle hops. It was nice and cool when we started PT. The air reminded me of the marsh on the way to Edisto Island and the honeysuckle was in full bloom this morning on the run. It was a great day for PT and our LAST ONE! We finished the training portion of the Airborne School today and next week will begin practical exercise, exiting an aircraft while in flight. For breakfast I had the normal raisin bran, gogurt, and milk. Not to heavy but just enough to hold me over until lunch, I knew it was going to be a hot one today.
0830hrs and we were back in formation waiting to start our last training day. What a relief to be finished with all the trainers and finally start putting together our equipment today. That’s what we thought anyway. It turns out we had two more classes and we had to clean and turn in the tower range before we could go pack our rucksacks. Our first class was a refresher from what we have learned from day one with demonstrations by the Blackhat’s. It was an awesome demonstration! We then began our clean up and prepared to move out to the harness shed. The harness shed is the location we will get into our parachutes and combat gear. It was time to pack and secure our rucksacks for a combat jump on Monday. NOT YET! We had another class. This class was a demonstration on the Jumpmaster inspection prior to boarding the aircraft. It was very interesting to see them conduct their ritual. I would try to explain how this is conduct but would not be able to do it justice. It is a well oiled process that checks every buckle, fastener, harness strap, static line, helmet, chin strap, and anything else you can think of on the jumper. The fail rate for the jumpmaster course is over 50% per class. It is a brutal course and should be. We trust their expertise with our lives. They are a vital and essential part to any successful Airborne Operation. Now, time to harness the rucksacks.
My chalk (our jump order) finished the exercise first with out any failures on the pack. This was good and bad. It was good because all of us were proficient in the procedures of setting up the equipment for the jump. The bad part was waiting the other 12 chalks to finish so we could return to the company area and be released. After and hour they were all finished. My butt was sore from sitting on the wooden benches in the harness shed. Hopefully next week (jump week) will run a little more efficiently. Lunch was MRE’s again and I had chicken breast this time. Not to bad!
We have a recall formation on Sunday at 1800hrs for manifest. The manifest roster is the roster we are assigned on the aircraft. I am in: Chalk 3, Second Stick, 7th Jumper. So what does that mean? That means as the aircraft passes over the drop zone on the third pass I will be the seventh paratrooper out the door, AIRBORNE!
Tonight I will be going to dinner with Alan the Marine 1SG again, and tomorrow I will be having dinner with 1LT Nick Corley and his wife. On Sunday my original group is going to grill out at the company area and just hang-out. We have become a pretty close knit group due to the nature of the training. It is like no military training I have ever been to. We must trust our stick to do all the right things every time in order keep all the service members safe. I cannot wait to get home and will keep in touch with a few of the fellows I have met during my training here. AIRBORNE!
PULL-UPS for the day: 30
Weather report: low-90’s today, humidity 44% wind is about 5 SW
We started the day with a 4.2 mile run after our normal 0530hrs formation and finished with our normal 100 four count flutter kicks, push-ups and side straddle hops. It was nice and cool when we started PT. The air reminded me of the marsh on the way to Edisto Island and the honeysuckle was in full bloom this morning on the run. It was a great day for PT and our LAST ONE! We finished the training portion of the Airborne School today and next week will begin practical exercise, exiting an aircraft while in flight. For breakfast I had the normal raisin bran, gogurt, and milk. Not to heavy but just enough to hold me over until lunch, I knew it was going to be a hot one today.
0830hrs and we were back in formation waiting to start our last training day. What a relief to be finished with all the trainers and finally start putting together our equipment today. That’s what we thought anyway. It turns out we had two more classes and we had to clean and turn in the tower range before we could go pack our rucksacks. Our first class was a refresher from what we have learned from day one with demonstrations by the Blackhat’s. It was an awesome demonstration! We then began our clean up and prepared to move out to the harness shed. The harness shed is the location we will get into our parachutes and combat gear. It was time to pack and secure our rucksacks for a combat jump on Monday. NOT YET! We had another class. This class was a demonstration on the Jumpmaster inspection prior to boarding the aircraft. It was very interesting to see them conduct their ritual. I would try to explain how this is conduct but would not be able to do it justice. It is a well oiled process that checks every buckle, fastener, harness strap, static line, helmet, chin strap, and anything else you can think of on the jumper. The fail rate for the jumpmaster course is over 50% per class. It is a brutal course and should be. We trust their expertise with our lives. They are a vital and essential part to any successful Airborne Operation. Now, time to harness the rucksacks.
My chalk (our jump order) finished the exercise first with out any failures on the pack. This was good and bad. It was good because all of us were proficient in the procedures of setting up the equipment for the jump. The bad part was waiting the other 12 chalks to finish so we could return to the company area and be released. After and hour they were all finished. My butt was sore from sitting on the wooden benches in the harness shed. Hopefully next week (jump week) will run a little more efficiently. Lunch was MRE’s again and I had chicken breast this time. Not to bad!
We have a recall formation on Sunday at 1800hrs for manifest. The manifest roster is the roster we are assigned on the aircraft. I am in: Chalk 3, Second Stick, 7th Jumper. So what does that mean? That means as the aircraft passes over the drop zone on the third pass I will be the seventh paratrooper out the door, AIRBORNE!
Tonight I will be going to dinner with Alan the Marine 1SG again, and tomorrow I will be having dinner with 1LT Nick Corley and his wife. On Sunday my original group is going to grill out at the company area and just hang-out. We have become a pretty close knit group due to the nature of the training. It is like no military training I have ever been to. We must trust our stick to do all the right things every time in order keep all the service members safe. I cannot wait to get home and will keep in touch with a few of the fellows I have met during my training here. AIRBORNE!
PULL-UPS for the day: 30
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