so i talked to the Garrison CSM today...

[bloody_trauma 2]

I asked him about bringing the Fort Polk Sport Parachute Activity back...

he asked me if theres were many people interested in seeing it come back... of course i said yes...

I'm going to pursue to what ever end i can about getting Ft polk's military jump club running again...

I'm going to start an online petition...
anyone here willing to sign a petition to the garrison command and MWR director to that effect?

If any of you have any Ideas on the matter or would be willing to lend a hand in this effort send me a PM or post it up... I think we can make this work. Blue Skies...

Fly it like you stole it

[redlegphi 0]

Since an online petition will clearly not be representative of how many jumpers are actually on Fort Polk, my recommendation would be to gather up all of the local military jumpers and get their names, in order to give the Command Team a good idea of how many jumpers there actually are out there. Good luck!

[bloody_trauma 2]

good idea, i'll put a notice in the post newspaper.

Fly it like you stole it

[bloody_trauma 2]

heres what i found in AR 215-1
Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities

Parachuting.

Installations with suitable ground and aircraft resources may establish and maintain sport parachuting
programs for sport parachuting instruction and related activities for eligible patrons. Establishment as a PO will not
be authorized. Policy on parachuting programs is outlined below.
(1) Programs will be operated in accordance with SOPs that meet requirements and standards specified in the
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), parts l, 65, 91, and 105; the United States Parachute Association (USPA)
Skydiver Information Manual (SIM) (to include Section 2, Basic Safety Requirements, contained therein); and applicable
Army policies and procedures.
(2) Instructors will hold a current USPA instructor rating, method specific (static line, accelerated free fall, and
tandem). If an USPA-certified instructor is not available, an individual holding a USPA Class D license and
jumpmaster rating will be appointed as an instructor when recommended by the installation sport parachuting safety
officer and approved by the garrison commander.
(3) All jumpmasters will hold a current USPA jumpmaster rating.
(4) Equipment used will be maintained and inspected by FAA-certified riggers and in accordance with FAA
standards. All participants will provide a statement of physical fitness, as required by SIM, part 4.08.
(5) Military aircraft made available for Army parachute jumping will be limited to those that have been tested and
approved for military parachuting. Jumps from aircraft that are owned, leased, or rented by Army flying activities are
prohibited. Use of commercial aircraft is authorized if aircraft is FAA certified and supports sport parachuting.
(6) Procedures used in rigging aircraft for sport parachuting will be no less safe than those prescribed for military
parachuting in FM 3–21.220.
(7) Surplus personnel parachutes and related air items obtained from a Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office
(DRMO) must be certified airworthy prior to use by an FAA-certified rigger.
(8) Training programs will be administered by rated instructors as defined in this regulation. The levels and types of
training offered are based on the availability of qualified instructors.
(9) Day and night sport parachute jumping in all USPA options, subject to the availability of qualified instructors,
jumpmasters, and ground safety personnel, may be offered.
AR 215–1 • 31 July 2007 71
(10) Demonstrations and the performance of public relations events, in accordance with this and other Army
regulations (see, for example, AR 360–1), is authorized.
(11) Resale of merchandise necessary or incidental to sport parachuting programs, operation of MWR snack bars,
and similar food and beverage operations will be subject to policy in this regulation.
(12) Use of military aircraft will be at no additional expense to the Army. The scheduling of military aircraft for
sport parachute jumps must coincide with either scheduled flights or aircrew training requirements. Sport parachuting
missions will not be used as a basis for exceeding programmed flying hours.
(13) Garrison commanders may loan Army equipment, including military parachutes and air items, to sport parachuting
programs if use of operational units for training and mission requirements are not precluded.
(14) Surplus equipment, including parachutes and air items, may be obtained from a DRMO at reduced or no cost.
(15) Requests to establish sport parachute programs will be submitted through command channels to the address
below. Requests will include the number of projected users and a breakout of the patrons by category; estimated
growth potential; a list of installation and community facilities available for use; the source and proposed use of
program funds and the source of aircraft support; and, finally, the point of contact: Commander, Family and Morale,
Welfare and Recreation Command, ATTN: IMWR–CR, 4700 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302–4418.
(16) Garrison commanders (or designees) will appoint an installation sport parachuting safety officer (ISPSO).
Where possible, the ISPSO is a USPA safety and training advisor. The ISPSO supervises all aspects of sport
parachuting safety within the command or installation and is a member of the installation safety council, reporting
directly to the installation safety officer.
(17) Each program has a sport parachuting safety officer (ASPS0), subject to approval of the ISPSO and the USPA
conference director. The ASPSO is responsible for the sport parachuting safety program, to include—
(a) Certification of student parachutists’ advancement from static line to free-fall jump qualifications.
(b) Ensuring that instructors are qualified in accordance with this regulation and that jumpmasters hold a current
USPA jumpmaster rating.
(c) Appointing a drop zone safety officer (DZSO) to control sport parachuting operations at a specific drop zone
(each DZSO must hold a USPA class C or higher license or, if no C license or above qualified individual is available,
the ISPSO may authorize a B license holder to act as the DZSO).
(d) Ensuring compliance with USPA basic safety requirements and maintenance of equipment by FAA-certified
riggers in accordance with applicable FAR.
(18) Jumpmasters will control all jumps and discuss each jump with participating parachutists before boarding the
aircraft, ensuring that each understands the type of jump to be made and is familiar with aircraft exiting procedures.
(19) Instructors will plan and conduct the training of student parachutists in accordance with FAR and USPA
requirements.
(20) Equipment will satisfy requirements outlined in SIM, Section 2 and Section 8, paragraph 8–3. Additionally,
students will wear military or commercial boots that extend above the ankles (no hook laces). Licensed, qualified
persons may wear foot gear that covers the foot only. Tennis or running shoes are acceptable; sandals will not be worn.
Hard helmets, such as hockey helmets or equivalents will be worn, except that USPA license holders and tandem
students may wear soft helmets. Gloves and appropriate warm clothing will be worn if the temperature at jump altitude
is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Shatterproof goggles and a functional altimeter will be worn on all jumps. All students
will use automatic deployment devices. A light, visible for a minimum distance of 3 miles, and an illuminated altimeter
will be used on all night jumps.
(21) In case of injuries or fatalities, the provisions of AR 600–8–1, AR 385–10, and AR 385–40 prescribe actions to
be taken. The DZSO will assist in the investigation of nonfatal accidents. The ASPSO and a FAA-certified rigger will
assist in fatal accident investigations. Completed accident investigation forms will be attached to the Army accident
investigation report. These forms may be obtained from U.S. Parachute Association at U.S. Parachute Association,
1440 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304, with a copy of the report provided to the Army Risk Management Insurance
office (IMWR–FM–I), 4700 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22304–4418.
(22) The program manager will safeguard, supervise, and administer the program and maintain records of jump
activity by date, time, place, and jumps by category of patron; and comply with all operational and reporting
requirements contained in this regulation and DOD 7000.14–R, volume 13.
(23) Eligible patrons must be at least 16 years of age to participate. The parent or legal guardian of any person
under the age of legal majority will give written consent before the Family member may participate.

Fly it like you stole it

[JohnRich 4]

What's "CSM"?

[bloody_trauma 2]

Command Sergeant Major- these are almost the highest ranking enlist soldiers that the army promotes to, they pretty much run things in the military. so the garrison CSM, is in charge of all the facilities and programs on the post, including morale, welfare and recreation (MWR), MWR does things for soldiers like we can rent triton bass boats and fishing gear, and they used to be the ones who had all the equipment and over saw the DZ here. but for what ever reason the club went away years ago, back in the 90's i think. i think maybe enough time has past to reacquire an interest in it.

Fly it like you stole it

[matthewcline 0]

You may end up having to rent on weekends when it comes to A/C.

Although the Colt would be fun to jump from again.

Pay close attention to the lines about Army Aircraft use. I have/had been invovled in the fight your stepping into for nine (9) years.

And you may be right about the Garrison CSM running Facilities, but A/C he has little power over, win the AVN BGD CDR over and your going to have a good time. If you can get the UH-60's or CH-47's for a weekend a month and lease a C-182/206 the others you can have success.

You will need a Manager, so someone is handling the DZO Admin type stuff.

Matt

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!

[CDRINF 1]

What Matt Cline says about the aircraft is absolutely right. Check out AR 95-1. The reg specifically says you can't schedule A/C just to support skydiving. The key is that the supporting aviation commander buy into the use of the aircraft. If he agrees that it is a valid training mission for his pilots, you are golden.

I was involved in trying to keep the Campbell club afloat around 2000 and helped start the Polk club in 1998. What helped us is that the Rucker club had just shut down and we got all of their gear, which saved us a bundle. Not sure if that stuff is still around somewhere at Polk, but you could ask. We also had strong support from the command group who had all done tours at Campbell. They understood the value of having a club at a remote place like Polk. We used to jump on Honor Field. It lasted about 2-3 years and then a new airfield commander showed up who raised hell about flying skydivers. I was gone by then, so I don't know how it all ended, but 9-11 did not help.

CDR

[bloody_trauma 2]

yeah, man, this task is daunting!!! I'm waiting to hear back from the CSM about what i dug up so far, i need to come up with something like an action plan and submit it to him, and then convince the aviation command to get behind us, right now its just me and my wild dream!!! but thats where it starts, a little gumption, perseverance and HUGE CAJONES MANG!!!

Fly it like you stole it

[popsjumper 2]

Damn good stuff, dude. It's great to see someone willing to take the bull by the horns and run with it. Good luck, man. Hopefully it will be (please excuse the naval reference) smooth sailing for you.


Oh...please excuse the mixed metaphor also.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[bloody_trauma 2]

hmm i wonder if the USPA can help

Fly it like you stole it

[BlindBrick 0]

Quote

Not sure if that stuff is still around somewhere at Polk, but you could ask.

I own a large chunk of it. Let's just say that the DRMO guys de-mil'ed it with extreme prejudice. With a few exceptions, the cost of getting it airworthy again was far more than its value.

-Blind

"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

[bloody_trauma 2]

the government appears to have very deep pockets... well see how this works out, i'm just waiting on reply back from the CSM

Fly it like you stole it

[matthewcline 0]

I sent a proposal to USPA to help with the clubs when Mr. Needles was still the ED. Haven't seen any thing come of it other than some e-mails stating "this is a great idea!".

Your better off asking the Golden KNights SGM if he has some advice or influence.

The pool of qualified personel for the GK is getting a bit thinner as all the clubs are gone and of course the other four Army teams would like to keep the folks they have with them.

Matt

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!