NiteQwill

Thanks for the input guys. Which dealers/manufacturers give military discounts? I didn't know that, that's awesome to hear! Where do you folks suggest buying used gear? I see ads posted all the time on the DZ, but they are for 120 or 150 canopies... Not exactly my cup-o-tea with my experience. "Fail, fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett

I have a unique situation that I would like your folk's opinions on... I'm a new skydiver and with the right timing, I should be receiving my A-license in May/June (if all goes well ). I'm also scheduled to deploy back to Iraq in November. I want to buy a new rig setup when/before I graduate and with the current lead time, I'm looking at a ~16 week wait. Question is: Should I just go ahead and get measured and buy my pack or wait until I return next year from my deployment (and just rent until then)? The 'money' factor is not an issue, so that doesn't need to be discussed. (Although, it doesn't HURT to save money in the long run!) Thanks again guys! "Fail, fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett

As a new jumper, I may be able to give a newbie's personal experience. The folks at the DZ make the DZ an okay, bad, good, or GREAT DZ. Period. There is nothing worse than snobby attitudes and an unwelcoming DZ. "Fail, fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett

So how did it go? I did AFF 2 this week also, easy as pie. I still have much to learn though. I have 3 more jumps in less than 2 weeks, plus wind tunnel. "Fail, fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett

Made the 2nd jump yesterday! What a HUGE improvement over the first in terms of body position, COA, etc. The turns were easy as pie. I'm doing the wind tunnel and 2 more AFF jumps in 2 weeks. I'm trying to get licensed before my next deployment to the sandbox in the Winter. I'm sure it's doable.

New to the site and jumping, recommend by some folks at Elsinore. Did my level 1 AFF... looked like a flying fish out of the water the first few seconds COA was excellent according to my JM. Everything went well (minus the frozen, numb hands not feeling the BOC handle I was the last jumper of the day at sunset) With a little instructor assistance, it pulled just fine. Perfect landing (in my perspective ). Hoping to learn more from the site and my instructors. Planning level 2 & 3 in 2 weeks. Addicted... Something I learned: So, that is what the sky is for!? "Fail, fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett