Warriors. Paratroopers. Riggers.

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Omari Bernard
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  "I will keep in mind that until men grow wings their parachutes must be dependable" is the opening sentence to the United States Army Parachute Rigger's Pledge and a vow to their fellow Soldier. Riggers realize the importance of their military occupational specialty and, more importantly, the lives of their fellow Soldiers they hold in their hands every day.
"It is absolutely critical in our mission that we are always sure," said Sgt. Jerica Ogle, 4th Quartermaster Detachment, and a native of Middleborough, Ky. "That's why there are so many rigger checks and technical inspections throughout the pack process and even afterward to ensure that the jumper lands safely.

There are three different types of parachutes that are packed by the 4th QM. The MC1-1D, the T-10D, and the T-10R Soft Loop Center Full Reserve. Each parachute rigger has to stop at certain stages when an inspector tester goes over to check that it is being done correctly and only then can the packer continue on to the next stage.

"Each inspector tester has at least four people to check," Ogle said. "In order to progress on to the next check a packer needs to get the inspector's attention, so they may inspect and clear them to continue on to the next step."

They do so by simply saying "rigger." The procedure begins with laying out the parachute, ensuring the lines are in order and inspecting for holes. As a rigger packs a parachute, an inspector observes and ensures the process is correctly performed. An "in-processor" and final inspector further checks the process and the parachute.

"There are three sections of riggers," said Spc. David Fosbinder, 4th QM, and a native of Nashville, Tenn. "There are packers who pack personnel chutes, [aerial delivery], which pack heavy chutes and rig up loads to be dropped, and there is a maintenance section for handling chutes that aren't good."

The parachute is inspected several times throughout the entire process. First is the packer, then the inspector tester - the final inspection - and then further inspections before actual use. Riggers perform their duties with full knowledge that if they mess up any part of the pack up a Soldier could die, and if found to be the result of the parachute, the packer and inspector tester are liable.

"If anything goes wrong with a parachute during a jump it is investigated and if determined that the rigger is at the fault then they are held liable and it is considered attempted murder," Ogle said. "You will go to jail."

Parachute riggers take pride in their work, Ogle said. Just to be sure, they even jump their own parachutes for the sake of proficiency and accountability.

"Being a parachute rigger is a lot of fun," Ogle said. "There are a lot of opportunities that you do not get in a lot of other career fields. You have the opportunity to jump out of a plane, pack your own parachute and perform proficiency jumps. If I'm willing to trust and jump my own chute, then it means that the jumper should be able to trust it also."