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For U.S. paratroopers, the jumpmaster is the first person they see when they step onto the loading ramp of a military aircraft and the last person they see before stepping out the door at 1,500 feet carrying 150 pounds equipment in the dead of night.
That’s why the jumpmaster takes his job very seriously, and ensuring the mission is accomplished in a safe manner is always the jumpmaster’s No. 1 concern.
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Company played host to a jumpmaster mobile training team from the U.S. Army Jumpmaster School at Fort Benning, Ga. The team held a jumpmaster certification course at Rhine Ordnance Barracks Feb. 15 to March 5.
Attention to detail, safety and dedication are the most important elements of a jumpmaster’s duties.
“Jumpmasters are the key to success in airborne operations,” said Master Sgt. Jeffery Bond, the head instructor for the course. Sergeant Bond has been a jumpmaster instructor for three years and a jumpmaster for 10. “Without jumpmasters, airborne units cannot do their missions.”
The three-week course to become certified as a jumpmaster included classroom instruction and hands-on training designed to teach the jumpmaster candidates how to identify deficiencies with personnel and the rigging of their equipment and
parachutes.
The candidates learned about the duties and responsibilities of a jumpmaster, including inspecting the equipment and the aircraft used in the airborne operations, inspecting the paratroopers, conducting actions inside the aircraft, conducting pre-jump training, and learning the nomen-clatures specific to airborne operations.
Sergeant Bond added that usually only 50 to 75 percent of students who attend the class graduate.
“It’s difficult and challenging, but it gives you pride and honor knowing that you have accomplished something that not everybody will,” said Sgt. Adam Seeker, a rigger with the 5th QM Co.
Before attending the jumpmaster qualification course, paratroopers are required to maintain airborne status for at least one year and must complete a minimum of 12 static line jumps, Sergeant Bond said.
“At times it can be pretty intense but overall pretty enjoyable,” said
Col. Timothy Brown, 435th Contingency Response Group commander. “If we have a mission, I want to lead my Airmen from beginning to end.”
About a dozen airborne riggers from the 5th QM Co. attended the jumpmaster training as well as Soldiers from Special Operations Command Europe and Airmen from Ramstein. They all learned that attention to detail, safety and dedication are the most important elements of being an effective jumpmaster – one that is entrusted with the safety of U.S. paratroopers.
