And as the collective tip of the special operations spear, MARSOC Marines are constantly sustaining - sharpening their skills, and preparing themselves for the next challenge. 15, 2010.īut whether a graduate of Army or Navy airborne school, one thing remains consistent – sustainment is critical.

However, they can still attain the gold Navy/Marine Corps parachutist badge upon completing five additional jumps – like the ones conducted Dec. But because the Army owns the basic parachutist badge, NPC graduates are not authorized to wear it. Students of NPC still graduate with five jumps, just like Army airborne students. “NPC was designed for Navy special operators as an alternative to the Army’s airborne school,” said the assistant battalion operations chief for 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion. – accredited in 2008 and open only to members of the Navy’s special operations community and MARSOC’s Critical Skills Operators. Instead, they had graduated from the lesser known – and more exclusive – Naval Parachute Course, at San Diego, Calif. 15, 2010, however, had not earned their coveted wings at Benning. Some of the Marines sustaining their parachute skills on Dec. “The reinforcement of these parachute skills is critical to the overall mission,” he said.įor decades, the Army’s airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., has been the only authorized school for static line training for all branches of the military. “The special operations community relies on airborne operations, whether it be resupplying personnel on the ground or getting teams clandestinely behind enemy lines,” said the 2nd MSOB paraloft chief. Marines and sailors jumped static-line from the back of a C-130 at about 1,000 feet, and also jumped freefall from about 10,000 feet. “The more familiar you are with yourself in the air, the better you’ll be.” Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School: basic, jumpmaster and advanced military freefall. This course is one of three joint forces military freefall parachuting courses held at the John F. “It’s just like anything else – practice makes perfect,” he said. Annually, the Marine Corps receives 28 allocations to the resident military freefall jumpmaster course.

It’s important to stay current with this kind of training.”Īirborne Marines must conduct jump training every 180 days to maintain their proficiency and fulfill their annual requirement, said Gibbs. “It’s not something you just fall back into. Sam Gibbs, a jumpmaster with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. “Jumping is not a natural act,” said Staff Sgt.

Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, conducted annual parachute training, including static-line and High Altitude Low Opening jumps Dec.

Military freefall badge marines