Ein bier, bitte.

Yup... still is.

   Facebook me!

Rigger's Pledge

I will keep constantly in mind that until men grow wings their parachutes must be dependable.

I will pack every parachute as though I am to jump with it myself, and will stand ready to jump with any parachute which I have certified as properly packed.

I will remember always that the other man's life is as dear to him as mine is to me.

I will never resort to guesswork, as I know that chance is a fool's gold and that I, a rigger, cannot depend on it.

I will never pass over any defect, nor neglect any repair, no matter how small, as I know that omissions and mistakes in the rigging of a parachute may cost a life.

I will keep all parachute equipment entrusted to my care in the best possible condition, remembering always that little things left undone cause major troubles.

I will never sign my name to a parachute inspection or packing certificate unless I have personally performed or directly supervised every step, and am entirely satisfied with all the work.

I will never let the idea that a piece of work is "good enough" make me a potential murderer through a careless mistake or oversight, for I know there can be no compromise with perfection.

I will keep always a wholehearted respect for my vocation, regarding it as a high profession rather than a day-to-day task, and will keep in mind constantly my grave responsibility.

I will be sure-always.

"The sergeant is the Army." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower

As I recall, the chutes that I had contact with were the T-10, the reserve, and the 100 Ft. heavy drop chute.  There might have been others, but those I remember.  My question is: Do the riggors pack all these different chutes in the course of their day, or are they specialists assigned by chute type?

All the way, sir!!!

Riggers learn how to pack all chutes in school and over time might work all areas but typically you are assigned to a section of pack platoon and that dictates what chutes you work with. Pack platoon is broken into Light Pack (Mains and Reserves) and Heavy Pack (Cargo)

Pack platoon handles chutes, while the repair section obviously repairs air items, the Heavy Drop riggers work out there at HD and rig loads with the detail crews and then you have riggers at green ramp handling the chute and load controlling. Others with more recent experience can certainly chime in.

I was happy to be placed in Pack platoon.. Light Pack which is kind of the rock star of rigger areas... its the one that gets a lot of the glamour for dog and pony shows and also affords the mighty PACK AND GO hours where you have a daily number to hit (25 or 35) and once you hit it.. youre out for the day. Most of the time I never saw anything past 1500 in the shed.

   Facebook me!

1600... hhehe, by then I was in Civis and likely off post. To each his own but I just loved light pack, built in exercise every day as you ran up and down the table and muscled those parachutes into the bag.

Not to mention it helps knowing the procedures even after all these years and I dirty pack my T10 here at the house for demonstration.

   Facebook me!

Next question:

As I recall, the main chutes had to be used in a specific period of time, or they would need to be opened and repacked.

If this is correct, how were the resrves handled?

All the way, sir!!!