Jumpmaster Course Offers New Training Opportunity

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Story & Story by SGT Dan Purcell   -   Posted Aug, 2005
     Special Forces Soldiers representing both National Guard and active duty components from around the United States reached new heights during a Jumpmaster Program conducted at Camp Murray May 5-20.

     The training venue combined new techniques and equipment during a 16-day course of instruction that introduced a new main parachute that offers Soldiers greater mobility and maneuverability than the current parachute in use.  It also provided the Guardsmen an opportunity to help rewrite the training and safety manual governing the program.

Special Forces Soldiers train up during the Jumpmasters Parachute Inspection (JMPI) phase of the program. Students must complete three inspections within five minutes in order to pass

      According to Captain Argo Carbury, Jumpmaster Course officer in charge, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th SF Group (Washington National Guard), what makes this program different from all the rest is that this is the first static line jumpmasters course in the Army to employ the new parachute.

     “Not only did we receive approval from USARSOC (United States Army Special Operation Command) to teach this course, we will actually be assisting in writing the regulations for the program with a focus on Special Forces,” Argo explained.  “The difference between this new program and the old one are not great but they are subtle.  It’s going to take our smart guys to determine what those differences are and think about how those regulations can be changed.  We have been given that leeway, so we want to do it smart.”
     “So far, as a National Guard unit to be given this responsibility is a pretty big thing.  It’s a lot of trust and autonomy that is being given to us, but we’ve earned their respect for the things we’ve done over the last three years,” Argo added.

     The course, normally 15 days long, is broken down into classroom exercises, practical exercises, testing and then actual training inside the aircraft.

Jumpmaster Instructor points out critical checkpoints

Jumpmaster Instructors observe students door check proceedures

      “We added an extra day of training because the students are getting more time for the practical parachute inspection which is the huge litmus test as far as Jumpmaster Courses go,” Argo said.  “They are getting additional hands on time with the aircraft which other programs do not offer as well getting between four and five jumps as opposed to the standard two jumps.  They’re getting a lot more experience on varied aircraft than other programs offer."
     Prior to the practical exercise and testing, the 58 students received classroom instruction on course requirements and equipment.

     “Jumpmaster Parachute Inspection (JMPI) training is the base phase for students.  The 40 hour block of instruction is where they get to learn the sequence for inspecting the equipment prior to jumping,” Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Jensen, Utah National Guard, assistant instructor explained.  “The inspections are timed because they have to check three jumpers in five minutes.  These inspections include two Hollywood (jumping without equipment) and one with a full combat load.”

     Five minutes for three inspections isn’t a whole lot of time, and passing the course is dependent on the students’ ability to pass the JMPI according to Staff SGT. Michael C. Wiley, A Co. 1-19 SFG, senior instructor, Static Line Jumpmasters Course.

After completing the JMPI portion of the course, students enter the Practical Working in Aircraft (PWAC) phase of training. Here they learn to inspect the aircraft, proper exit procedures and arm and hand signals.

Student’s board a C130 that will deliver them to there designated drop zone

      "When it comes to the Jumpmaster Course, the only thing students are thinking about is the JMPI.  You have all these other classes that they are required to take before and after JMPI, but everyone is focused on JMPI because you have only five minutes to inspect three jumpers, two Hollywood and one combat, and that’s not a lot of time,” Wiley said. 
     “So that is what they have come to pass because if you pass, everything else is just follow on, if you don’t pass JMPI then you can’t move on.  What kills a lot of students is that they only have two chances to test and get it right,” Jensen added.

     “The JMPI is the last check before exiting the aircraft and it is says that I have inspected your chute and I’m telling you that you are that I have physically checked your parachute and equipment and there is nothing wrong with it and you are good to go,” Wiley added.

     According to Jensen, the instructors then check the equipment for gigs of which there are three: Major, Major-minor and Minor.  A major defect can kill or injure a jumper and a minor gig might include something like a twisted waist band.

Boarding the aircraft

Jumpmaster Instructor offers some last minute instruction

     Those students that complete the JMPI phase then enter the next phase which is the PWAC (Practical Working in the Aircraft).  Here they learn to inspect the craft, hand and arm signals, proper exiting and recognizing the drop zone.

     The last phase of the program includes day and night jumps that incorporate everything the students have learned.  The emphasis during the jumps, as with all parts of the training, is safety.

     At the conclusion of the course a graduation ceremony was held.  Graduates received certificates officially recognizing them as Jumpmasters.

     “These guys that graduated will be able to go back to their units and teach, some will be teaching the next course being offered in the next couple of months, Wiley said.  “They are very competent and professional and have a leg up on those that have never used the new parachute, so other Soldiers will be drawing from their experiences.”

Out the tailgate of a C-130!

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