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Most of the military jumpers have worn out backs, knees, etc from all the extra weight. Even if they wanted to jump for fun, they basically can't. At least that
by giantg2 3y ago
Most of the military jumpers have worn out backs, knees, etc from all the extra weight. Even if they wanted to jump for fun, they basically can't. At least that's for the guys I know.
- bell-cot 3y ago> from all the extra weight. It ain't just the weight. Military jump situations are seldom optimized for joint safely - jumping at night, landing on rough terrain, etc. And neither military culture nor hostile defending forces encourage a "if you think you might have injured a joint, then remain in place and signal for medical attention..." approach. (My cousin served from the later 70's to early 10's, mostly in the 5th Special Forces Group. Plenty of action, but rather tight lipped on details - as he should be.)
- longerthoughts 3y agoNot sure when the people you know were jumping but I've heard a few older (non-military) guys at drop zones complain about shoulder, back and hip issues from harder openings with the rigs they used in the '90s and early '00s. Parachutes are typically sized according to weight to manage rate of descent, so the extra weight shouldn't be an issue. Given the context I wonder if the military just calibrates around faster rate of descent because it's risky to stay in the air too long.
- giantg2 3y agoThe extra weight is a factor in the harder openings. There are multiple different rigs even today, so I'm not sure if it's specific to one or another.
- longerthoughts 3y agoah true, openings would still be harder - bigger canopy only saves you on landings
- 0_____0 3y agoThat's exactly right.