Comments on: Jump Commands http://balestales.com/jump-commands/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jump-commands official website of children's author Steven Bales Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:49:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: sbales http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-9 sbales Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:22:56 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-9 Robert, You are welcome. It was a fun time for me. I will be posting some more jump memories, so check back. Robert,
You are welcome. It was a fun time for me. I will be posting some more jump memories, so check back.

]]> By: RobertC http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-8 RobertC Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:20:14 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-8 I was a Division trooper myself many years ago. It's been a long time since I heard jump commands. Thanks for posting them. They bring back a lot of memories. I was a Division trooper myself many years ago. It’s been a long time since I heard jump commands. Thanks for posting them. They bring back a lot of memories.

]]> By: sbales http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-7 sbales Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:55:56 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-7 I found that losing your weapon was not career enhancing. I found that losing your weapon was not career enhancing.

]]> By: sbales http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-6 sbales Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:53:44 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-6 Congrats on your command and posting to Division Staff. I was in the 4/68th Armor. It was a battalion of M551 Sheridans. We could put one on a C-130 with a couple of inches to spare on each side. I never saw one airdropped, but we did LAPES (low altitude parachute extraction system) them. Congrats on your command and posting to Division Staff.
I was in the 4/68th Armor. It was a battalion of M551 Sheridans. We could put one on a C-130 with a couple of inches to spare on each side. I never saw one airdropped, but we did LAPES (low altitude parachute extraction system) them.

]]> By: Sgt.Ed http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-5 Sgt.Ed Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:19:33 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-5 I remember a guy dropped an M1911A1 on Sicily DZ. After over a week they finally had to call in the Engineers with metal detectors. He was a most unhappy & unpopular individual. I remember a guy dropped an M1911A1 on Sicily DZ. After over a week they finally had to call in the Engineers with metal detectors. He was a most unhappy & unpopular individual.

]]> By: Andy http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-4 Andy Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:12:22 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-4 I commanded a Recon Troop in 3BCT (505 PIR), now at Division in the G5 (Plans). I commanded a Recon Troop in 3BCT (505 PIR), now at Division in the G5 (Plans).

]]> By: sbales http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-3 sbales Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:29:27 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-3 Andy, Thank you for your comments. It has been a few years since I Jump Mastered. You know, they change these things and they don't even ask me. What unit are you in? Andy,
Thank you for your comments. It has been a few years since I Jump Mastered. You know, they change these things and they don’t even ask me.
What unit are you in?

]]> By: Andy http://balestales.com/jump-commands/#comment-2 Andy Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:30:57 +0000 http://balestales.com/?p=20#comment-2 Steve, I am a currently serving Officer and Jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne Division. Been there a few years. Your memory is pretty good! There have been a few changes. 1- There is no longer a 6 minute warning. After issuing the 10 minute warning, we issue GET READY! 2- From there your recollection is accurate until "Stand in the door!" We now only issue "STANDBY!" at which point the #1 jumper of each row rotates into the door. Upon handing off their static line, the #1 jumper grasps with fingers extended and spread the ends of the reserve parachute, we no longer permit jumpers to grasp the doorframe. Also, as you may recall, we signal with a raised index finger 1-minute upon identifying our reference point on the ground, and then at the 30 second we no longer issue a visual sign to the jumpers, we simply do one last clear to the rear (leaning out of the door checking behind and below the aircraft for other aircraft out of position). Upon completing that action, the jumpmaster and assistant jumpmaster rotate inside the aircraft and visually signal with a thumbs up that all is okay, and then we issue "Standby!" 3- The jump caution lights now are turned on at 20 minutes. 4- Jumpmasters are the last to exit the aircraft, ALWAYS! AJ goes out after his stick exits, and the Primary goes after the AJ. My wife just bought the book for our kids, we are looking forward to reading it to them! Thanks. Steve, I am a currently serving Officer and Jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne Division. Been there a few years. Your memory is pretty good! There have been a few changes.

1- There is no longer a 6 minute warning. After issuing the 10 minute warning, we issue GET READY!
2- From there your recollection is accurate until “Stand in the door!” We now only issue “STANDBY!” at which point the #1 jumper of each row rotates into the door. Upon handing off their static line, the #1 jumper grasps with fingers extended and spread the ends of the reserve parachute, we no longer permit jumpers to grasp the doorframe. Also, as you may recall, we signal with a raised index finger 1-minute upon identifying our reference point on the ground, and then at the 30 second we no longer issue a visual sign to the jumpers, we simply do one last clear to the rear (leaning out of the door checking behind and below the aircraft for other aircraft out of position). Upon completing that action, the jumpmaster and assistant jumpmaster rotate inside the aircraft and visually signal with a thumbs up that all is okay, and then we issue “Standby!”
3- The jump caution lights now are turned on at 20 minutes.
4- Jumpmasters are the last to exit the aircraft, ALWAYS! AJ goes out after his stick exits, and the Primary goes after the AJ.

My wife just bought the book for our kids, we are looking forward to reading it to them! Thanks.

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