Post by parajag on Jul 1, 2016 3:31:52 GMT -8
Yesterday I graduated from US Army Jumpmaster School at Ft Benning.
This 3-week long course was one of the most difficult things I have done since taking the bar exam. We were tested on nomenclature, pre-jump (actions during descent), PWAC (practical work in the aircraft), general Jumpmaster subjects, and JMPI (Jumpmaster personnel inspection). Out of 61 students, 43 finished. Many people take the course 2-3 times to pass. The success rate for first time takers is about 30%.
The JMPI test is notorious and the most difficult part of the course. Students receive 40 hours of JMPI instruction, inspecting the main and reserve parachute and combat equipment. We spent day after day in JMPI circles, half the class rigged and the other half inspecting, switching back and forth. All this, of course, in the sweltering Georgia summer heat against which any air conditioning is rendered mostly useless. One student literally passed out during the circles and had to be taken to the hospital. (He checked out ok and returned to the class.)
The JMPI test involves inspecting three jumpers, one with combat equipment, in 5 minutes, without missing any major deficiencies, and not more than two minor deficiencies. If you inspect out of sequence, put your hand or finger in the wrong place, use incorrect nomenclature, or omit a command ("hold," "squat," etc.) you fail. You get three attempts to pass. If you score above 80% on the previous tests, you get "reentry" which gives you two additional attempts to pass JMPI. Lucky for me I got reentry because I passed JMPI on my last and final attempt. 5 minutes on the nose and I missed nothing.
By the way, female Ranger School grad CPT Kristen Griest, was in my class. She passed JMPI on her first attempt and graduated second in the class.
I'm glad to have completed this course, which has been a goal of mine for a long time. I already have duties lined up later this month. I will be pretty busy because JMs are very in demand for local units to conduct their ops.
And of course I'm looking forward to using what I have learned in future ops with RCPT and ADT.
This 3-week long course was one of the most difficult things I have done since taking the bar exam. We were tested on nomenclature, pre-jump (actions during descent), PWAC (practical work in the aircraft), general Jumpmaster subjects, and JMPI (Jumpmaster personnel inspection). Out of 61 students, 43 finished. Many people take the course 2-3 times to pass. The success rate for first time takers is about 30%.
The JMPI test is notorious and the most difficult part of the course. Students receive 40 hours of JMPI instruction, inspecting the main and reserve parachute and combat equipment. We spent day after day in JMPI circles, half the class rigged and the other half inspecting, switching back and forth. All this, of course, in the sweltering Georgia summer heat against which any air conditioning is rendered mostly useless. One student literally passed out during the circles and had to be taken to the hospital. (He checked out ok and returned to the class.)
The JMPI test involves inspecting three jumpers, one with combat equipment, in 5 minutes, without missing any major deficiencies, and not more than two minor deficiencies. If you inspect out of sequence, put your hand or finger in the wrong place, use incorrect nomenclature, or omit a command ("hold," "squat," etc.) you fail. You get three attempts to pass. If you score above 80% on the previous tests, you get "reentry" which gives you two additional attempts to pass JMPI. Lucky for me I got reentry because I passed JMPI on my last and final attempt. 5 minutes on the nose and I missed nothing.
By the way, female Ranger School grad CPT Kristen Griest, was in my class. She passed JMPI on her first attempt and graduated second in the class.
I'm glad to have completed this course, which has been a goal of mine for a long time. I already have duties lined up later this month. I will be pretty busy because JMs are very in demand for local units to conduct their ops.
And of course I'm looking forward to using what I have learned in future ops with RCPT and ADT.