Airborne Jumpwings

May 20, 2009 posted by OldWarrior

JumpwingsThis is another term for the parachutists badge. It is also affectionately known as a snowcone. This badge is awarded to all servicemembers who have successfully completed  US Army Airborne school or basic paratrooper training. The airborne course is a three week course consisting of three phases. The first week of training is known as ground week. During ground week trainees are indoctrinated into the intense physical regimen of the course and taught how to exit the aircraft along with proper landing techniques. This is probably the most important week of the program because correct landing technique is critical to avoiding injury. The most important bywords of the course are; “Keep your feet and knees together.” Seperation of the feet and/or knees upon impact with the ground will cause serious injury to the jumper. Jumpers are also taught how to assume the correct body position as they exit the aircraft and before impact in order to avoid injury. 

The second week of training is known as tower week. During tower week jumpers get to exit towers which simulate the aircraft that they will be jumping from. Each exit and landing are carefully evaluated by the instructors otherwise known as “Black Hats” because of the distinctive black caps they wear. If the student shows that he or she has mastered exiting the aircraft and landing correctly he is allowed to continue to the third week of training known as jump week.

During jump week the student must sucessfully complete five training jumps in order to earn the parachutists badge. Two of those jumps must be in full combat gear and one must be at night. This is the phase of training that sees the most injuries. 99% of all injuries result from improper landing technique. This training is open to all branches of military service to include the Coast Guard. All branches of service are authorized to issue the badge to those who have completed the training. We offer several different options to our customers who want to purchase a Paratroopers ring which is otherwise known as  an Airborne Ring.


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