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My recommended Packing List:
1. Pillow and Blanket
2. Running Boots (Garmont NFS) and Running Shoes (Hoka’s) Bring running inserts.
3. Comfortable shoes for hotel (Crocs are great if parking lot floods)
4. Buy / bring your own Canteen.
5. Laundry bag, laundry detergent (tide pods are best + easier to carry), dryer sheets.
6. Hydration Packets with Electrolytes (Drip drop is good)
Ground Week (Week 1)
• The 1st week has 2-mile runs (from the parking to the training area and back)
• During the first week you run before and after lunch to the training area.
• Introduction of how to land properly to minimize injury and to get familiar with the gear (parachute bag). (Also, introduction to your 5 points of performance).
• Begins with two physical assessments:
o Flex Arm Hang - where students perform a pull-up and remain in place for 10 seconds. Same technique used to perform a “Slip”, where paratroopers grab the handles called ‘risers’ to adjust the direction of the parachute.
o Reach Assessment - assesses a student’s ability to reach the cable in the aircraft.
• Instructors (Black hats) teach students how to wear their parachute harness and use their gear correctly.
• Students learn a technique called the parachute landing fall (PLF), which helps them land safely. Students use the lateral drift apparatus. A zip line they slide across and then let go and land.
• The first week I did the 34FT Tower and 2nd Week I did the 34FT Tower again (with ruck)
Tower Week (Week 2)
• The 2nd week has 3-mile runs (from the parking lot to the track surrounding the 250 FT Towers; 1-2 laps and back)
• 250FT Tower Demonstration you may have to do, When I went in April 2023, they took volunteers. They are bringing this tower back, but I would recommend waiting until Jump Week to prevent any injuries.
• Students are again evaluated until they have developed a proper exit technique at the 34FT Towers.
• Last exercise- The improved swing landing trainer.
o An opportunity to practice a parachute-landing fall
o You are rigged into a harness that swings like a literal swing from a playground. The instructor pulls a cord that causes you to fall. You will have to do this a lot.
• Instruction on how to rig a Molle 4K Ruck into Jump Configuration (group / with battle buddy)
Jump Week (Week 3)
• NO PT This week! (No running except to the airfield in OCPs)
• Students apply their training in five different jumps at 1250 FT (3-day time, 2 night time)
• Begins with a jog to the airfields where students pick up their parachutes
• Instructors inspect every inch of the parachute to ensure that nothing can injure the jumper or cause a malfunction.
• Must successfully complete all five jumps to receive airborne wings or “Silver Wings”
• Don’t be a jump refusal, REMEMBER all your training.