The Essentials: U.S. Army's Parachutist Badges
“The Essentials” Series is a monthly blog strictly related to Airborne culture. We target fundamental topics such as Airborne equipment, culture, traditions, trivia, and much more.
While we have a semi-annual plan on the topics, we remain open to ideas from paratroopers like yourself. So, feel free to reach out and propose a topic, our staff writers will get in touch with you, and you might even end up writing it together!
“The Essentials” Article One: U.S. Army’s Parachutist Badges
U.S. Army Airborne units are considered some of the most versatile and disciplined units in the service. Its paratroopers have created distinct traditions and are proud of their heritage. While their traditions might not be as old as others, they stand out from the rest and have formalized their distinguishable badges and devices. These military badges, a.k.a. "Jump Wings," differ in levels and may be complemented by achievements such as combat jumps. If you're an Airborne stud, you probably know these elements by heart, but these might be pretty new and interesting to some of you.
So, grab a cup of beer or coffee and let us get learning.
The Classification of Army’s Parachutist Badges
The Army’s Basic Parachutist Badge is presented to U.S. and foreign military personnel of any service who successfully completes the U.S. Army's Basic Airborne Course. The course is a three-week program split into three phases: ground, tower and jump week. The course is usually run in Fort Benning, Georgia and the pinning of the wings in the ceremony means that the individual soldier has completed the course and conducted at least (5) completed jumps and thus is qualified to participate in airborne operations. The graduates are formally recognized as trained military Parachutists who have met all the necessary requirements.
The parachute device consists of the open parachute, which symbolizes individual proficiency, and the wings in the badge, which represent flight; together, they represent a qualified parachutist ready for action!
From Senior to Master – Above the Sky
The following two items on our list, The Senior and the Master Parachutist Badge require that all individuals, to be considered, must be rated excellent in character and efficiency, in addition to numerous other requirements. Again, this shows how stringent Airborne is about its badges and speaks highly of its eminent community.
The Senior Parachuting Badge is the next level of airborne paratroopers with specific achievements and experience. The candidate must have served on jump status with an airborne unit or authorized airborne organization for at least 24 months and have graduated from the Jumpmaster Course. To be awarded this distinguished badge, military personnel must have conducted a minimum of 30 jumps (15 must have been completed with combat equipment) and at least two-night exits, one of which must have been as a jumpmaster of a stick. An additional requirement is two mass tactical jumps resulting in an airborne problem. The badge contains a five-pointed star on top of the parachute to mark its notability. So, please start thinking about getting yours now. You know you want it! If you've already got the badge, make sure you ‘Bragg’ about it!
The upper echelon of this prestigious category is the Master Parachutist Badge which obviously has a long list of requirements. To be awarded the 'Master' a parachutist must have participated in 65 jumps, including 25 jumps while carrying combat equipment. Four of these jumps must have occurred at night, and the parachutist must have been a jumpmaster of a stick. Five of these must have been mass tactical jumps culminating in an airborne assault problem with a battalion or larger unit or a separate battery/company organic staff of a regiment or larger-sized unit. Similarly to the Senior Badge, the requirement of graduation from the Jumpmaster Course also applies. The condition is to serve in organization-authorized parachutists or an airborne unit for at least 3 years.
The Silver Wreath around the five-pointed start of the Parachute Device distinguishes the badge. When worn around airborne and military environments, the Badge gets instant notability and respect because it deserves it!
Did you know?!
In 1941, Major William M. Miley, commander of the 501st Parachute Battalion, got in touch with the Heraldry Branch from the Office of the Quartermaster General to adopt a badge to distinguish paratroopers who had completed jump training. Unhappy with the proposals, he appointed and authorized Captain William P. Yarborough to go to Washington and make the required changes.
Captain Yarborough finally designed a sketch to make all sides happy, then went through the whole process of physically handling the process, all by himself, from production design to the approval by the War Department. Finally, on March 10th, 1941, the Parachutist Badge was approved for official wear in U.S. Army uniforms, of course, upon completing the necessary requirements.
Photo Courtesy John Yountz
-
From Origins to Excellence: The Early Days of Australian Paras and their Training School Today
Read MoreAt the onset of World War II, Australia's small Permanent Army and its militia lacked any capability for parachute operations. However, the early successes of German paratroopers, particularly at Fort Eben Emael in Belgium in 1940, highlighted the strategic value of airborne forces and spurred Australia to develop its own....
-
The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret
Read MoreBlue Air Assault Berets: A Brief Chapter in Military History In the accounts of military tradition, berets have often stood out as symbols of honor and excellence, providing soldiers with an extra element of pride. They adorn soldiers' heads, signifying their commitment to a unique calling. While everyone in the...
-
Operation Dragoon: Allied Invasion of Southern France in 1944
Read MoreOperation Dragoon, originally codenamed Anvil, was the Allied invasion of Southern France that began on August 15, 1944. It was a critical complement to the D-Day landings in Normandy, aiming to open a second front and facilitate the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. This blog will provide details of...
-
Operation Musketeer: The Jump on the Suez Canal
Read MoreThe 1956 Suez Crisis, also known as the Second Arab-Israeli War, was a complex conflict involving multiple nations and interests. At its core, the crisis was a confrontation over control of the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway for global trade and oil transport. Operation Musketeer, a unique joint military operation...
-
Reexamining D-Day Airborne Operations
Read MoreThe Stage is Set for the Most Pivotal Airborne in History As the grand strategy for Operation Overlord took shape, the Trident Conference in Washington in May 1943 became the crucible where its fate was forged. The flanks of Normandy's beaches emerged as the cornerstones of liberation, demanding control to...
-
Unmanned Aerial Systems Will Become Integral to Airborne Operations
Read More"Attack your enemy where he is unprepared; appear where you are not expected." Sun Tzu Airborne Operations Have Changed Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into airborne operations has not just reshaped tactical strategies and operational capabilities in modern warfare, but it has also provided a significant strategic advantage. This paradigm...
-
Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces – Always First!
Read MoreFrom Soviet Doctrine to Leading in the Frontline Upon the fall of the Soviet Union, several Airborne Forces of the Soviet Union were integrated into the Ukrainian Ground Forces under the name of the Ukrainian 1st Airmobile Division. For their first 20 years, they became the go-to division in Ukraine's...
-
Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.: A Tribute to Valor and Command
Read MoreColonel Ralph Puckett Jr., an exemplar of courage and command, departed this life at 97 years old, bequeathing a heritage of inspiration to countless warriors and citizens. His distinguished service record, adorned with acts of gallantry and altruism, traversed dual conflicts and a multitude of commendable deeds, meriting the top...
-
The 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans
Read MoreThe 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans The 82nd Airborne Division Association is leading the charge in bringing all the previous and current warriors of the All-American Division together and inspiring them to keep the fighting spirit alive. Its roots go back to the Great War,...
-
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers
Read MoreThey were born out of a doomed operation, but their role has become irreplaceable. Their brothers in arms count on them in the most difficult of times while they remain the enemy’s worst nightmare. Battle-proven, always resilient, and lethal, they are highly respected among all the services and have often...
-
Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam
Read MoreSoldiers take cover in a crater during the Vietnam War (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Army) Operation Hump is a legendary operation conducted jointly by Australian and American Airborne forces in Vietnam. The Friendly composition consisted of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, as well as a battalion from...
-
Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers
Read MoreWisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers Hear ye, hear ye! Young paratroopers, we believe you deserve some valuable advice because you are at a stage where you need it to shape your military career. Because we care, we reached out to our community to...
-
Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened
Read MoreOperation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened In the early 1990s, Haiti's democracy was in constant crisis, and the island was being governed by unconstitutional leadership. The regimes kept changing but lacked national and international legitimacy, leading to U.N. sanctions. The United States created a multinational force (MNF) to...
-
The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day
Read MoreThey called it "The Iron Rain." On the fateful day of June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord, more than 13,000 paratroopers from the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions leaped into the night sky, their hearts racing, their minds set on one goal: the liberation of Europe from...
-
Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq
Read MoreTransporting you from your favorite reading nook literally into the boots of the 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq, Boots on the Ground by Karl Zinsmeister details the story of the frontline in a way that often isn't covered in the headline news story. A frontline reporter traveling with the 82nd,...
-
The Essentials: The C-17 Globemaster
Read More"The Essentials" Series is a monthly blog related to Airborne culture. We target fundamental topics such as Airborne equipment, culture, traditions, trivia, etc. While we have a semi-annual plan on the topics, we remain open to ideas from paratroopers like yourself. So, feel free to reach out and propose a...
-
The Filthy Thirteen: The True Story of the Dirty Dozen
Read MoreTightly bound to one another in times of war, unforgiving in the way they approach a battle, and legendary in their bravery, the story is told of the US paratroopers of the US 101st Airborne Division in The Filthy Thirteen. Finding the courage to parachute behind enemy lines in the...
