This qualification requires completion of one of the following formal training programs:Ħ.3.2.1. These parachutists are not authorized to fill parachute positions elsewhere (emphasis added) unless qualified through paragraphs 6.3.1. Members on active parachute status who are quali- fied as USAF Academy parachutists are authorized to fill validated parachute positions and student authorizations at the USAF Academy. The most important issue at hand is that Cadets who complete the program do not learn a military skill, despite being awarded a badge which indicates otherwise.ĪFI 11-410 (Personal Parachute Operations) governs management of the Air Force parachuting program. But that’s not what happening at the Air Force Academy, because it’s impossible to serve as a parachutist after graduating form the Academy’s AM-490 course of instruction. While it’s true that there are many members of the Army who attend Basic Airborne Training early in their service, but never jump again, many others are assigned to jump billets later on their careers and use the skills that they were taught as Privates or Lieutenants. If you’re a static-line parachutist, you’ll wonder what they’re up to and how this translates into jump wings. The team and course operate as the 98th Flying Training Squadron, 306th Flying Training Group, Air Education and Training Command.Įach year, over 700 cadets take the AM-490 course, “Stand In The Door”, and earn their jump wings. The AFA’s Basic Freefall Parachuting course, known as Airmanship 490 (AM-490), is run by a cadre of Cadets who make up the Academy’s free fall team, the Wings of Blue. That’s because the AFA offers a course in skydiving. One of the easiest ways to deduce if an Air Force Officer is an Academy graduate is that they have jump wings (that is if they haven’t already told you). Although I worked primarily in the intelligence business, I served on jump status during various SOF assignments in both services. In spite of starting my career in the Army, I retired from the Air Force.
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