US Army Ranger 1983–2002

Training is relentless and block leave short. Parachuting is one of the most common insertion methods used by the Rangers. To stay jump-certified a Ranger must jump at least once every three months, although they usually jump twice a month, sometimes weekly. Low-level parachute jumps are used for airfield seizures or as a means to rapidly deploy large numbers of soldiers in a short amount of time. Typically, it takes a Ranger battalion 30 minutes from the time of the jump until fully assembled and ready to move toward their intended target. Parachuting at a Ranger battalion is not the same as jumping at Airborne School. The rucks weigh more, both doors of the aircraft are shot-gunned and almost emptied simultaneously, and finally, the Rangers move fast and furiously once on the ground.

A typical Ranger parachute drop begins with sustained airborne training. The companies assemble at an area in the Quad on wooden bleachers where they listen to a briefing. They have already received mission briefs and are fully aware of the task before them: a night drop into the desert to assault a defensive line in the mountains, for example. Now the jumpmasters detail the drop zone, such as the expected wind conditions and myriad other details, all vital to the successful execution of the parachute assault. Once briefed, the Rangers jog to an area behind their barracks to practice parachute landing fall (PLF) techniques and emergency procedures, including water landings, electrical hazards, hung or intertwined jumpers. Platoon sergeants yell ""double-time"" to initiate the jog and the formation of Rangers breaks out with the famous airborne cadence of ""Airborne, airborne, all the way, airborne, airborne, everyday. We like it here, we love it here, we’ve finally found a home.""

Hours later the Ranger and his company gather in the Quad with rucks and weapons. The manifest is called, and Rangers line up in their positions for final loading. All Rangers cross load, in the event that one of the aircraft is lost either by accident or battle, there will be enough men spread through the various other aircraft to accomplish their missions. Otherwise, one lost aircraft could spell doom on an entire mission objective. Dog tags are checked against the manifest and everything is physically verified. Finally, cattle trucks, large enough and uncomfortable enough to carry cattle, arrive and the Rangers are driven to a nearby airfield where they unload, draw parachutes and begin the process of donning the equipment. Although newer parachutes are used and trained with, the Regiment prefers the T-10, as it limits the mobility of the jumper, thus avoiding midair collisions.

The complete package is cumbersome and precise: one Ranger, parachute on his back, a reserve to his front and directly below it, his upside-down ruck with 15-foot lowering line. A weapons-carrying container, the M-1950, is tied down to his left leg; underneath the parachute harness is his LBE, and finally his Kevlar is on his head. Ranger buddies give each other a cursory once-over as Ranger jumpmasters check their equipment. All Rangers are helped into a prone position where they wait for the signal to load onto the birds. Finally, the Rangers help each other up and they waddle toward the aircraft which seems to be miles away. Under the excruciating weight of their packs, the men can take only tiny steps of 6–12 inches; their backs ache, and it is a matter of pride not to rest as they struggle toward the bird. Once loaded and seated, finally clear of the foul-smelling aircraft fuel, the paratroopers are already tired. There is no room in the C-130. The Ranger cadence of ""C-130 rolling down the strip, 64 Rangers on a one-way trip,"" tells little of the complete lack of space. The Rangers are packed like sardines in a tin can, their knees interlocking with those of the men facing them.