Well, I freaking did it. I wasn’t sure I still had it in me. But I finally have static-line jump number 34 under my belt. I did number 33 at the end of my Active Duty career back in February 1988. Last March I joined an Army Reserve unit that is on Airborne status (Civil Affairs).
After a couple of cancelled jumps, we finally broke our dry spell last weekend when we steps out of a C-23 Sherpa at 1,500-feet. I tell you what; it scared the ever-living shit out of me!! I wasn’t even sure I still had it in me. While I landed like a sack of potatoes, I did walk off the DZ without any injuries.
Here is a picture of me (a “Born-again Cherry”) along with three other Cherries (this was just their sixth jump). Notice all the “Cherry” stickers?
On a sad note, I have been transferred out of my unit (the company I was assigned to is scheduled to deploy early next year) because my status was just changed to non-deployable due to a medical condition. While I have the option to stay with the current Battalion, I have decided to request that I be transferred back to the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve). If my condition ends up getting stabilized for at least 12-months, then I will reconsider re-joining the USAR.
After 4-years of Active Duty (as an 11C1P), 8-years in the Army National Guard (Aviator), and 5-months in the Army Reserve (I am currently a CPT and assigned as a Team Leader); nobody can say that I have not done my part. I feel kinda guilty that my Soldiers will be going into harm’s way without me though. But unfortunately, this is something that is beyond any of my control.
