Happy Monday!
Showing posts with label Airborne School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airborne School. Show all posts
Monday, October 11, 2010
four jumps....
Happy Monday!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
What to Bring to Airborne School... for the MilSpouse
My husband is super organized and always stays on top of things. He lays his clothes out for the next day, he even sleeps in his PT's. Basically, when he wakes up, he lathers up that shaving cream, (shave, shave, shave,) brushes his teeth, changes and is out the door. However, I know there are those moments when the mind is zoned to exactly the mission at hand, and something slips through his eyes. "What day is it?" "Why am I waking up at 2am?" (honestly....what person wakes up that early? I remember those college days when we would be up until then!) I have to remind him the day and the reason he is waking up.... to finish his 5 jumps from Airborne School.
Once this sleep deprived soldier realizes what the words I am saying mean, he can proceed.
Here are some tips that I have learned thus far:
If any wives, husbands, girfriends or boyfriends come to visit I recommend first seeing if you can stay at Olsen Hall on base. It is a hotel and reasonably priced. ($36 - $75/night... cheaper then the Holiday Inn at the Gate)
If you have come to watch your soldier jump, you are allowed to watch at Fryar Field. You follow the signs from main post. There are bleachers, but be prepared to wait for awhile. Each company has between 400-500 soldiers.
Ask your soldier a day ahead of time what Chuck (squad) number they are and what number they are out the door. This will help you follow him/her from plane to field.
Bring some snacks and some water. The FRG is there too, with hot dogs, water and gatorade, but I would recommend packing some pretzels, cut up apples and carrots. (Bring $5)
Bring a pair of Binoculars.
Bring a camera.
Bring sunscreen, hat, umbrella, sweater and definitely layer incase you get warm!
You will most likely be allowed to at least say hello to your soldier after they have jumped, but they quickly move them on the bus to take them back to the main post.
MOST importantly, do not come too early before graduation. I want to make sure everyone realizes this. There is only so much money you can spend a night for food and lodging. You do not want to fork over $1,000 for this trip or have to tap into your sick days at work, because graduation was moved to the next week. One day before graduation would be best. (Typically, they are on Friday). You will probably still get to see him/her jump. The soldiers are prepared to jump, but the Airborne School is dependent on the Air Force's plane and pilots.... not to mention the fire trucks on the runway.
500 soldiers x 5 jumps = 2,500 jumps.
Good luck! If anyone else has any other tips, please feel free to leave a comment!
Once this sleep deprived soldier realizes what the words I am saying mean, he can proceed.
Here are some tips that I have learned thus far:
If any wives, husbands, girfriends or boyfriends come to visit I recommend first seeing if you can stay at Olsen Hall on base. It is a hotel and reasonably priced. ($36 - $75/night... cheaper then the Holiday Inn at the Gate)
If you have come to watch your soldier jump, you are allowed to watch at Fryar Field. You follow the signs from main post. There are bleachers, but be prepared to wait for awhile. Each company has between 400-500 soldiers.
Ask your soldier a day ahead of time what Chuck (squad) number they are and what number they are out the door. This will help you follow him/her from plane to field.
Bring some snacks and some water. The FRG is there too, with hot dogs, water and gatorade, but I would recommend packing some pretzels, cut up apples and carrots. (Bring $5)
Bring a pair of Binoculars.
Bring a camera.
Bring sunscreen, hat, umbrella, sweater and definitely layer incase you get warm!
You will most likely be allowed to at least say hello to your soldier after they have jumped, but they quickly move them on the bus to take them back to the main post.
MOST importantly, do not come too early before graduation. I want to make sure everyone realizes this. There is only so much money you can spend a night for food and lodging. You do not want to fork over $1,000 for this trip or have to tap into your sick days at work, because graduation was moved to the next week. One day before graduation would be best. (Typically, they are on Friday). You will probably still get to see him/her jump. The soldiers are prepared to jump, but the Airborne School is dependent on the Air Force's plane and pilots.... not to mention the fire trucks on the runway.
500 soldiers x 5 jumps = 2,500 jumps.
Good luck! If anyone else has any other tips, please feel free to leave a comment!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Fryar Field
This field is pretty big! :) it needs to be for all those 507th soldiers jumping! Thump, thump, thumpity, thump!! Hearts are racing fast!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
250 ft Tower
Today, 70% of LT's platoon will practice parachuting from the famous Ft. Benning 250 ft towers. I think the bigger practice should be the landing. Falling at 20 meters per second seems a lot scarier when those boots hit the soil then the actual free fall down. Good luck to my favorite LT!
"SHOUT OUT WHAT YOU WANNA BE.....AIRBORNE"
Bad news for the specialist who thought he could get away with chewing tobacco in the training area yesterday. This poor soldier was heading to SF's Q school. I am not sure if he will still be able to after he was dismissed from airborne school with a "Do Not Return" stamp. If you are heading to Airborne School, try to resist the urge to smoke, chew or whatever else. It's seriously not worth getting "the boot" if you are a lifer interested in attending all of these schools!!
On my end, we (Uncle Mark, Bear (the Chow), Kady (kitten), Spencer & Pierre (boy cats) are enjoying our days here in GA. Today is the most beautiful day! There is a little bit of wind and the sky is perfectly blue with some exceptionally beautiful clouds. With all of his trees in his 1 acre back yard, a little bit of sunshine streams through. It's like God is saying hello to the trees.
Yesterday, U Mark made Italian Wedding Soup and I made two pumpkin pies. DELICIOUS!
(Pictures are taken from my cell phone... not the best quality. I forgot my camera adapter.)
Kady
Spencer and Pierre
Ms. Bear
"SHOUT OUT WHAT YOU WANNA BE.....AIRBORNE"
Bad news for the specialist who thought he could get away with chewing tobacco in the training area yesterday. This poor soldier was heading to SF's Q school. I am not sure if he will still be able to after he was dismissed from airborne school with a "Do Not Return" stamp. If you are heading to Airborne School, try to resist the urge to smoke, chew or whatever else. It's seriously not worth getting "the boot" if you are a lifer interested in attending all of these schools!!
On my end, we (Uncle Mark, Bear (the Chow), Kady (kitten), Spencer & Pierre (boy cats) are enjoying our days here in GA. Today is the most beautiful day! There is a little bit of wind and the sky is perfectly blue with some exceptionally beautiful clouds. With all of his trees in his 1 acre back yard, a little bit of sunshine streams through. It's like God is saying hello to the trees.
Yesterday, U Mark made Italian Wedding Soup and I made two pumpkin pies. DELICIOUS!
(Pictures are taken from my cell phone... not the best quality. I forgot my camera adapter.)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week one almost...
Word to wives/girlfriends of soldiers attending airborne school; let them rest!
Please say a prayer for the soldier who broke his ribs yesterday practicing how to land. There is so much pressure (literally) on the soldier's body, feet and neck. Every move needs to be exactly as instructed. This poor fellow did not have his elbows/arms correctly at his side and when he landed (20 meters per second = fast) His arm landed first and his elbow dug into his rib. OUCH! The first week is almost done, and I know my almost airborne soldier will be needing/receiving some much needed foot massages and neck rubs.
This morning they did combatives PT in their ACU's under a pavilion. They were shrimp crawling, eel sliding and frog hopping all with their bodies on the ground. I am almost positive my soldier was bitten in the forearm by a nasty brown lacrosse spider. Hopefully, since his car wouldn't start this morning (darn battery), and I have his phone, he will not need me to come rescue him. He is in the army... I doubt he needs me! HA!
Almost Friday Milspouse friends... do you have any exciting plans with your military family?
Please say a prayer for the soldier who broke his ribs yesterday practicing how to land. There is so much pressure (literally) on the soldier's body, feet and neck. Every move needs to be exactly as instructed. This poor fellow did not have his elbows/arms correctly at his side and when he landed (20 meters per second = fast) His arm landed first and his elbow dug into his rib. OUCH! The first week is almost done, and I know my almost airborne soldier will be needing/receiving some much needed foot massages and neck rubs.
This morning they did combatives PT in their ACU's under a pavilion. They were shrimp crawling, eel sliding and frog hopping all with their bodies on the ground. I am almost positive my soldier was bitten in the forearm by a nasty brown lacrosse spider. Hopefully, since his car wouldn't start this morning (darn battery), and I have his phone, he will not need me to come rescue him. He is in the army... I doubt he needs me! HA!
Almost Friday Milspouse friends... do you have any exciting plans with your military family?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Airborne school
1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000
That is how many seconds it takes to jump out of the 34 ft tower and I am pretty sure the count off before the chute opens. Actually, it takes 4 seconds for the chute to open and if in 7 seconds it doesn't, you better use your reserve!
Preparing for the 1200 ft drop:
Count those steps. Watch that foot placement. Tuck your chin. Make sure you hold onto your reserve shoot like a cheeseburger.
I cannot really tell which soldier is my husband, but as far as I can tell they are all hot, tired and ready to get out of the sun. I feel bad that I found myself a perfectly shaded tree to sit under and watch.
My almost airborne soldier is drinking water like it's going to run out. The black hats (cadres = instructors) are making them drink some powder to increase the electrolytes after PT. Holy cow!
Speaking of PT, my husband ran his 2 mile in 14 minutes. Way to go babe. You are definitely going to fit right into that ranger or airborne battalion. 38 people failed there PT test. People are also dropping bc of the intense heat. Be careful boys and girls.
Officers are allowed to stay on post at the hotel if they are on orders and do not have to pay for it. Definitely didn't know any of that until later on.
Anyone have any tips about Ft Benning or airborne school?
That is how many seconds it takes to jump out of the 34 ft tower and I am pretty sure the count off before the chute opens. Actually, it takes 4 seconds for the chute to open and if in 7 seconds it doesn't, you better use your reserve!
Preparing for the 1200 ft drop:
Count those steps. Watch that foot placement. Tuck your chin. Make sure you hold onto your reserve shoot like a cheeseburger.
I cannot really tell which soldier is my husband, but as far as I can tell they are all hot, tired and ready to get out of the sun. I feel bad that I found myself a perfectly shaded tree to sit under and watch.
My almost airborne soldier is drinking water like it's going to run out. The black hats (cadres = instructors) are making them drink some powder to increase the electrolytes after PT. Holy cow!
Speaking of PT, my husband ran his 2 mile in 14 minutes. Way to go babe. You are definitely going to fit right into that ranger or airborne battalion. 38 people failed there PT test. People are also dropping bc of the intense heat. Be careful boys and girls.
Officers are allowed to stay on post at the hotel if they are on orders and do not have to pay for it. Definitely didn't know any of that until later on.
Anyone have any tips about Ft Benning or airborne school?
34 Foot Tower
This video demonstrates a little bit about what LT will be doing this week. It's a pretty physical week. Waking up at 4 am, PT, and being out in the hot, hot sun! 99 degrees today. Soldiers need to pay attention to their water intake. There is no excuses to dehydration. HYDRATE! Good luck to all that go through this process.
A quick recap of the week for anyone interested:
Week 1: Learning to Jump. Learning how to exit the aircraft.
Week 2: 350 feet Tower Jumping
Week 3: Hop on that C130 and Jump (5 times). Graduation. Pinning on the wings!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Follow Me
"Welcome Home!"
I love when the guards greet you at the gate with that expression. I know they did not do it at Sill, but it makes me happy here. Airborne. Wish it was me training to jump out of planes. Pretty Bad-Ass! I know I will be skydiving soon . . .
After watching or favorite Maize and Blue team pathetically win this afternoon, we made dinner for our family for letting us stay with them and then saw "The Town."It was pretty great. (The movie and the dinner). There were a few scenes that were unnecessary to see, but other then that it was a decent Ben Affleck movie. It really made me want to visit Boston. . . SOMEDAY SOON!
I love when the guards greet you at the gate with that expression. I know they did not do it at Sill, but it makes me happy here. Airborne. Wish it was me training to jump out of planes. Pretty Bad-Ass! I know I will be skydiving soon . . .
After watching or favorite Maize and Blue team pathetically win this afternoon, we made dinner for our family for letting us stay with them and then saw "The Town."It was pretty great. (The movie and the dinner). There were a few scenes that were unnecessary to see, but other then that it was a decent Ben Affleck movie. It really made me want to visit Boston. . . SOMEDAY SOON!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Airborne Ranger
SO......
Airborne School
Ranger School
He got a spot! It will be great for him to reach these goals he has aspired to since he joined the Army.
Our current plan will be for him to return from Korea soon. Then, we will caravan down to GA. Hopefully we will make some stops, in between Michigan and Georgia, with Mr. Charlie, before Aaron starts Airborne School soon!
Aaron will luckily get nights and weekends off during his 3 weeks of Airborne School, but for the 9 weeks at Ranger school he will NOT be able to leave post at all. He will be in intense training in a field somewhere at Ft. Benning. Look out Uncle Mark, you may have company coming (me)! :)
I know this army life is confusing for most of you since it's always changing. It is for me too! I think words of advice are to go with the flow, flexibility, open minded, have fun, ENJOY LIFE!
I know this army life is confusing for most of you since it's always changing. It is for me too! I think words of advice are to go with the flow, flexibility, open minded, have fun, ENJOY LIFE!
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