Now, the only caveat to all of this is that, in order to properly inspect equipment, it has to be worn by someone.  So, 50% of the time was spent wearing a parachute with combat equipment, and 50% of the time was spent inspecting the “would be” jumper.  After the first day of wearing the parachute harness (often with combat equipment) . . . I was so sore that I could not even lift my right arm and touch my hand to my head.  My back felt like it was in an extreme state of spasm, and I was thinking to myself, “Oh, man, I’m not going to make it.”  Fortunately, one of my Chaplains near by had 800mg Motrin and the day was saved.  Praise God for modern medicine! 

     And if the conditions in the sun baked Clam Shell were not hot enough, once you put the parachute on along with the helmet - one must always add combat equipment.  So, as if the regular load did not weigh enough, its always nice to add an extra 50+ pounds of equipment with a ruck and weapons case.

      Throughout the two days of refresher training, the Advanced Airborne School Cadre walked around and inspected everyone to ensure no one was making any critical errors.  More than a dozen times, I was stopped by the Cadre and corrected on my sequence of inspection and procedures.  You see, I have not performed duties as a Jumpmaster since I was back in Germany in 1999.  Plus, a lot of the equipment has been improved and changed.  So, I felt that I was doubly challenged.

 

  

      Finally, the test came.  In previous Jumpmaster courses, a jumper would be rigged (dressed up in the parachute and combat equipment) with three deficiencies – a major, and two minor deficiencies.  If an inspector missed one major . . . it is an automatic failure.  Why?  Because a major deficiency could cost a paratrooper his or her life, limb, or eyesight.

        I failed the first test.  Initially, I was presented with two jumpers one in combat equipment (weapons case & ruck sack) and one Hollywood (only the parachute with reserve).  Talk about demoralizing!  All I could do was think, “Man, here I am a Master Parachutist, and I’m a flunky” or non-current Jumpmaster.  It was a long two hours before I was finally able to retest.  I was praying hard and reviewing sequence over and over in my head.  However, in the end, the Lord graced me with fast hands, surety in eyesight, and a slow clock!  The prayer of a Jumpmaster student is, “Dear Lord, let my hands be fast, my eyes be sure, and the clock be slow.”

     Again . . . as always, thanks for your prayers and support of America's young men and women who serve!