USAF uniform insignia (Parachutist Badge)

[matt1215 0]

I'm attending a convention in DC and noticing a lot of Parachutist Badges. The few I've observed today appeared to be displayed secondary to another occupational badge.

I've always gotten sideways looks since my career-field doesn't have an OB. The PB looks pretty cool, but I take it that formally adding it to one's uniform would involve more than taking a USPA license to the MPF.

[ExAFO 0]

AF- Either:

-Take USAFA's AM 490 ("5 jump chumps") and get the wings with blue thread. I've heard it's mostly hop-n-pops. The only catch is you go solo from jump 1. Those wings are basically a USAFA Fraternity pin. I'd wager 90% of USAF people wearing wings are "5 Jump Chumps."

-Go thru the Army's Airborne school, get your ass kicked, get the wings embroidered with black thread (the ones people respect).

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[leapdog 0]

This is interesting. The Marines won't let anything cross from civilian at all. To get selected for Airborne school first you have to have an MOS that needs to use that skill, IE- RECON or ANGLICO, then we have a more intense physical fitness test than the army to pre qualify for the school. Then once at the Army Airborne school it is 5 static line for basic parachutist. We don't wear all those other badges, after becoming more advanced we wear these. Pic attached.

edited to add pic

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker

[matthewcline 0]

You mean after you make your 5 additional in the "billet"?

I did that in '88 on Linus DZ. But I am Army, so what do I know about the Corp.

Matt

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!

[leapdog 0]

Yes after the 5 from the Army school in Benning we need to do additional jumps to get the gold wings. and from different aircraft.

Here is more on the subject. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachutist_Badge_(United_States)#Navy.2FMarine_Corps

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker

[Icon134 0]

Quote

-Take USAFA's AM 490 ("5 jump chumps") and get the wings with blue thread. I've heard it's mostly hop-n-pops. The only catch is you go solo from jump 1. Those wings are basically a USAFA Fraternity pin. I'd wager 90% of USAF people wearing wings are "5 Jump Chumps."

Yeah and most of them are AF Academy grads (although some are likely to be former ROTC cadets.

and if they are PJs or CROs then the freefall badge is only secondary to the Maron Berrets... but they would have gotten the badge the HARD way...

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[matt1215 0]

Quote

This is interesting. The Marines won't let anything cross from civilian at all.

I'm not sure the Air Force would either, thus the original post.

[ExAFO 0]

I knew this one jumper who whined like a little girl about the fact that his USPA D license (he had like 201 jumps) did not rate him anything on his Army uniform.


What a dork.

Edit:

P.S. If you got your wings at USAFA, don't wear them around Airborne troopers. They will fuck with you, and rightfully so. (no, not personal experience.) [/pogue]

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[leapdog 0]

It used to be that you could take a challenge test and be parachutist qualified but the army did away with that. so at one point have civilian training did help you in that regard.

That isn't the same as busting your ass doing PT and risking the broken legs and ankles.

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker

[matthewcline 0]

I think your refering to a program that was for HALO only. There are a few who post here that can explain it, I never got approved to go.

Matt

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!

[leapdog 0]

Quote

I think your refering to a program that was for HALO only. There are a few who post here that can explain it, I never got approved to go.

Matt

That is exactly what I'm talking about, Matt.

edited for spelling

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker