Closing of the Green Beret/82nd(aka Fort Bragg) sports parachute club

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Something that has been entirely misrepresented in this discussion is that the club, formerly known as the Green Beret Sport Parachute Activity, is not an MWR entity. That ceased to be quite a few years ago when the bar (still known as the Green Beret Parachute Club) was separated from the actual parachute club. The entity know known as the Fort Bragg Parachute Activity is a NAF entity. That's Non-Appropriated Funds. It's a different office with a different boss. Either way you look at it, it's tragic that the club is going away. It, under the Green Beret Parachute Club name, is an institution. It was always the gold standard of military parachute clubs. By far the most experienced skydivers; by far the most experienced instructors; by FAR the most social.

I joined the club in October 1984 after I returned from Germany and started the Special Forces Qualification Course. I was 20 years old and had a USPA SL jumpmaster rating and a C license. I taught at the club, with only a short three year break, from then until I retired.

The term "Skymonkey" was coined by myself and brand-spanking-new USPA regional director Kip Lohmiller in October 1998 when a guy named Ken Cupp was still running the club. Kip and I taught many first jump courses together in that club after I returned to instructing after my little break. There is a big carved wood sign over the bar in the club's building that says SKYMONKEY. On the bar are brass plates with the names of all the instructors and current, fully-qualified jumpers who were around when we moved into that building. On the wall behind that bar are signatures from way over 100 people who Kip and I, along with other junior instructors, trained since we moved over there. There are pictures, plaques and trophies all over the walls from jump meets and demos as far back as the 1970's (and before if you know where they are stored).

The Green Beret Parachute Club was the last of THREE active clubs we had on Fort Bragg to close. First to go in the early 1980's was the XVIII corps club. The last manager of that club, Bill Verner, just got his 1000th jump award in this month's Parachutists. I had the distinct honor of re-training Bill when he retired and decided to start jumping again after nearly 20 years. I was the manager of the Raeford Parachute Center School then. Next to go, or more to the point get "absorbed", was the 82nd Club. When that happened, very few of those instructors chose to come on-board with our club. We ended up with their best gear and, unfortunately, lost our "Green Beret" moniker in the process. We then became, simply, the Fort Bragg Parachute Club.

It was right around that time that the US Army Special Forces stopped providing an active duty soldier to fill the manager job. The job was contracted out and a former 82nd Club guy got the job. The last active duty manager was SFC Richard A. Guthrie (Arlo).

Rest in peace Green Beret Parachute Club! It makes me nuts that the bar is still there, with the same name, yet the actual jump club is history. For shame!

SFC (ret) Charles W. Blue II
D-12501, AFF/SL/TM-I, PRO, BMCI
Green Beret Parachute Team, USASOC Parachute Team
20-year member/instructor of the GB parachute Club
Skymonkey ONE!

[jumper03 0]

Thanks for the history SM1. Its always nice to read about where we've come from.

It's all in boxes now and the truck is at the door.

I just smell a rat though. Some people are in an awful damn hurry to get things boxed up and out of there...

Scars remind us that the past is real

[McDuck 0]

The rumor I heard was that it's because that same rat is looking to hook some buddies up at a potential DRMO auction...but that's just a rumor.

Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28
"I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC
Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

[steve1 5]

I was a twenty year old spec. four when I walked into the Green Beret Parachute Club Bar in 1970. I was in phase II of S.F. training and figured I was rough and tough enough for about anything, but I also had serious doubts if I really had enough guts to actually skydive.

On every wall of that bar were pictures of hard core skydivers. I figured right then and there that someday I was going to be a skydiver. One of my big regrets is that I didn't jump with that club like some of my friends did. If there's anything I can do to help save the present club, count me in....Steve1

[Zena 0]

Quote

There is a big carved wood sign over the bar in the club's building that says SKYMONKEY. On the bar are brass plates with the names of all the instructors and current, fully-qualified jumpers who were around when we moved into that building. On the wall behind that bar are signatures from way over 100 people who Kip and I, along with other junior instructors, trained since we moved over there. There are pictures, plaques and trophies all over the walls from jump meets and demos as far back as the 1970's (and before if you know where they are stored).

Hey Chuck!

I was there today... and almost cried when I saw the Penske truck parked outside with 50 years of history spilling out of it. I took some farewell photos. One is the Skymonkey drawing on the wall with all the signatures (including mine... I'm also a product of the GBSPA). See photos below. I have better photos and a little video if anyone wants it.

-Zena

[Bolas 5]

Quote

The concept of fitness centers could be proved in reduction of healthcare costs, both short-term and long-term. The intangible benefits were employee morale, better person networking, and company identity.

But you can't put intangible benefits on a balance sheet.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[SWATcop 0]

What are they doing with all the pictures and cool stuff that was on the walls? That place was like a museum.

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[happythoughts 0]

Quote

Quote

The concept of fitness centers could be proved in reduction of healthcare costs, both short-term and long-term. The intangible benefits were employee morale, better person networking, and company identity.

But you can't put intangible benefits on a balance sheet.

If workers are sick less often, it helps, but you can't establish a cause-effect relationship.

The nice thing about getting to know people in the gym is that you know "who to call to get things done".

I call it "sneaker net". Where do I walk to?

[CDRINF 1]

We went through a lot of the same at Fort Campbell a few years back when our club closed. Very sad.

One idea I had to try to maintain the club in a way, was to fold all of the club's resources and functions under the Screaming Eagles demo team. Then have the demo team hold "team development jumps" or what ever you want to call them to maintain a large "bench" of potential jumpers. At least it would have provided an avenue to let a larger number of young soldiers learn to jump, rather than just the select few on the team. Unfortunately I had PCS'd by they time the club actually closed, so I was unable to push this.

If you think about it, it makes sense. "Back in the Day" the clubs did all the demo jumps, and that was a large reason why they were started in the 50's/60's. In the late 80's the Army split off most of the demo teams and had them become full time, command sponsored teams. The clubs became NAF/MWR activities run by civilians. Unfortunately, that put the clubs at risk. They could no longer be justified on the basis of providing demo teams, and were now subject to scrutiny of civilians only looking at profit and loss, as well as potential risk. It also made it easier for aviation commanders to refuse to provide support since it was seen as using Army assets for recreation as opposed to a mission. Loss of Army aircraft support was a huge nail driven into the coffin.

CDR

[freeflir29 0]

Damn...............UNBELIEVEABLE! I learned to jump with the GB Club finally after spending almost 3 years at Campbell when I thought fishing sounded like a better hobby. I came to Bragg from Korea in late 98 and after spending most of 99 busy with other things I finally stopped over. I made my first civilian jump in May 2000. For some reason I had never thought civilian skydiving sounded cool. I went to military S/L school in 96 but never got around to making a civilian jump. I'm so glad the GB club was there. I learned to jump for cheap from some of the best instructors in the world. I made friends there that I still keep up with like Skymonkeyone, Kip Lohmiller, and many others. I have great memories from there. It sucks the military is dumping on everyone like this. You'd think that at least during war time programs like this would be safe. With all the appreciation going on too bad it doesn't reflect in Army leadership. Shame on the US Army for letting this happen.

[slotperfect 7]

I started my civilian skydiving career with 11 static line progression jumps as a member of the GB Club in 1985, with such legendary instructors as Pete Morakon, Santos Matos, Bob Gabriel, Jesse Allen, and Fred Patterson. After a long interruption in my training, I was trained as a Military Free Fall parachutist and became a licensed skydiver and a member of the GB club once again (along with the 82nd club). I have fond memories of the club days, which ended for me once I made the Golden Knights in 1992. By the time I had moved on from there the teams had lost their military aircraft support and it did not seem the same any more.

The closing of the GB club is a sad event, which we at Ft. Bragg have gone through twice before (as Chuck mentioned). In this case it is the last one to go - I am among those that hold out hope that the tide can be reversed.

Arrive Safely

John

[jumper03 0]

Got a response from the reporter who has been doing some investigating.

here is what Ft. Bragg told him:

"I have confirmed the the club officially closed as of yesterday due to lack
of participation. If you have any additional questions please direct them
to me and I will get back with you. Thanks."


Lack of participation???? The club was busy every weekend. IN SPITE of over half the damn post being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan....

The stench of a rat gets stronger...

Scars remind us that the past is real

[leroydb 0]

Yes the stench of ulterior motives... Some know who he is, but WHY?

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[Stewie 0]

Damn, that sucks. Steve Reeves and Neal Beverly were my SL instructors there.

"Fuck that. I'll take a good ass-pounding over a bj any day." -- pyrotech

[Cherie_stcroix 0]

Although the official word given to the reporter was "lack of participation", (I heard this too), I also received word that it is because the club wasn't generating funds, which according to some policies stubstanciates closure. However, I'd like the reporter to go back and ask who ever he interviewed initially whether or not the club handlers were given any options to keep the club open or did the club handlers offer options themselves to keep the club open and if they did, what was the problem?

[kd5xb 1]

The Air Force has done the same thing to Aero Clubs, closing many under false pretenses, like "losing money", etc. The sad truth is that an Air Force wing commander doesn't want to be held responsible for what some Aero Club pilot might do, and I bet the Army leadership is the same way. In the end, "leadership" will get what they want and the absolute best thing a group can do about it is to form their club off base, out of reach of the "leadership".

Take it from me, I know -- when the Aero Club I was a member of was closed, NAF took OUR $9000 repair fund and split it between the Officers Club and the Enlisted Club. That was money from ALL of us who had rented airplanes, and NAF just up and decided it wasn't ours any more.

And the IG just didn't want to hear about the fact that NAF was running two sets of book on us in order to make their claim that the club was broke.

Take it from me -- if a club is off-base, the "leadership" has no way to close it down.

Now that my rant is done, let me say that I remember when Fort Braqg had multiple clubs, and I always thought that was pretty special. It's beyond sad that the last one is about to be gone, I think it's shameful and I would almost be willing to bet that there is something shady going on there.

Earl

I'm a jumper. Even though I don't always have money for jumps, and may not ever own a rig again, I'll always be a jumper.

[KNewman 0]

I agree totally with you about the golf courses. The golf courses are around so the retirees have something to do during the week. I learned how to jump with the club and couldn't have done it otherwise. The closing of the club will make it difficult for the lower enlisted folks who want to take up skydiving. Another aspect of this story is the history that skydiving just lost. The club has been around since 1957, and has produced a lot of well known skydivers. It was an avenue for the Golden Knights to recruit jumpers other than the HALO dudes. The profits from AAFES and other venues are supposed to be used to support MWR activities. MWR was never meant to be a stand alone for profit activity. It was meant to support our troops. Killing the club will not save taxpayer money, as the money has already been earned through profits payed by........you guessed it, the troops who work their asses off and can no longer play as hard as they work.

Sorry for the rant, but it is a sad day when leadership cares more about the money than the troops.

Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

[Skymonkey2 0]

I don't post much on here, but I have reading this thread now for a while and IT TEARS ME UP, SM1 and myself (SM2) created an atmosphere that had not been in the club for many years. We made the activity some place where skydivers could come and hang out learn about skydiving. It is a crying shame to all the members and former Activity Mangers that put there blood swet into it. All that great history that SM1,Greg O, and myself went out to find and hang up is all gone. Here to all the SKYMONKEY'S PAST AND PRESENT THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND TIME TO MAKE THE GB CLUB ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LEARN SKYDIVING AND ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO JUST HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS.... SM2

AFFI-E, Tandem I-E, S/L I-E, IAD I-E, Coach I-E
Students are our future teach them well

[GQ_jumper 4]

Hey Chuck, the GB club put me up on my first jump, Raul BC was my AFFI and Tony Yost got me in touch with him. That lush got me into this sport I miss him

This sucks that the close has to close.

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

[SWATcop 0]

Look what I found in a box of old BDUs, I guess its a collectors item now.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7da36b3127cce836336949cfb00000016108AauXDJm5cuE

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

That's funny! I still have three of my old Green Beret Parachute Team shirts, too. I amost even wore one of them up here to VA on this trip. If I had, I would have been bopsy twins with Greg "Big Country" Taylor; he was wearing his yesterday when he showed up for the contract.

Chuck

[D2909 0]

I went all over the post trying to find the place, but when I realized all those WW2 barracks were gone, I was given directions to a new building. I went inside and it reminded me of a fast food chain. Wonder what happened to all those photos and trophies?

D2909

[scottherbert 0]

I, too, learned to skydive at the GBSPC in 1970/71. I started jumping a 28' flat circular LL (you had to be approved to move up to a 7 gore TU) -- later I jumped an old worn out ex-USAPT Mark I PC. Back then I was really hot jumping a PC.

In 1971, we jumped out of an old Otter, occasionally a Huey, and often at Raeford.

I was later a member of the Trojan SPC club on Ft Devens (10th SFG).

I was at Bragg when the 18th Abn Corp club closed and I will freely admit that although I was in SF, I jumped most of the time with the 82nd club -- almost every weekend!

I have a strong suspicion that aircraft flight hours might have been a bigger issue for the clubs than anything else.

It's really too bad. Particularly now that Special Forces will be putting 100% of new SF volunteers through HALO (MFF) school and knowing how difficult it is to remain current and skilled at freefall in the various active SF Groups, having the parachute clubs gave us another means of keeping up with our skills.

I will miss the clubs...

[megamalfunction 1]

Pretty spooky thread. I was browsing the forums today and saw this post from "LeroyDB". He's no longer with us.