Photo By Sgt. Juan F. Jimenez | Spc. Maraka Soule, a supply specialist assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Field...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Packed in the back of a C-130, 64 Paratroopers were crammed with hardly any room to scratch theirs noses. Some looked alarmed, some had sleepy faces, and others were full of adrenaline that couldn’t keep still. But all had one common task, to exit out an airplane flying at 1200 feet.
The jumpmaster team called the commands. “Standup,” he shouted over the loud thundering engines. The Paratroopers echoed the command.
“Hook-up,” shouted the jumpmasters as they curled their index fingers and motioned as if they were about to hook to their static line.
With each command, the anticipation built up as paratroopers prepared to exit the airplane.
Each paratrooper wears a bulk of equipment that weighs more than 80lbs strapped to their thighs and a parachute that weighs more than 50 pounds on their back.
With expectation building, the paratroopers waited for the green light to exit the airplane. They all stood in discomfort bearing all the weight that was strapped to their body.
For some, exiting the aircraft means relief, for others, just another jump and a thrilling experience. Which ever reason ran through their minds, they all wanted the weight off their shoulders.
The first jumper waits in front of the open door. He can see trees, cars and soon the drop zone.
The jumpmaster see’s the markers on the Drop zone. Green Light GO! GO! GO!
Sixty-four paratroopers wobble to the door hand off their static-line and exit the airplane.
For a twenty-year-old paratrooper the adrenaline and experience of jumping off a flying airplane couldn’t be more surreal.
Spc. Maraka Soule, a supply specialist assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division says fear is on her mind but it doesn’t stop her from jumping.
“Fear is always there, but I overcome it and I just jump,” said Soule smiling.
Soule says that even though she never lets her fear get the best of her, one day she felt something wasn’t right. “I was injured on my last jump,” said Soule.
Soule didn’t realize she was injured until a few days after her jump.
“I noticed my knee was swollen days after my jump and that’s when I knew I had to go get it checked out,” said Soule.
Soule proceeded to Cape Fear Hospital where she got an MRI and learned the extent of her injuries.
“When the doctors told me I had torn my ACL, I didn’t believe them,” Soule said bursting out in laughter. She continued, “I tore my ACL and part of my meniscus, saw the X-rays and I still didn’t believe my doctors.”
Soule said it took her a while for the information to really sink in and for her to comprehend what she was about to face.
Following her surgery, instead of feeling sorry for herself and wallowing in grief, Soule focused on getting back into shape and rehabilitating her knee.
“I wanted to get better and come back to my unit,” Soule said with a look of determination.
Soule, who is originally from Portland, Maine, underwent months of intense rehabilitation at Womack Hospital.
“I would see Spc. Soule push herself hard to get back to recovery and back on jump status,” said Sgt. 1st Class, Joel Menzel, Senior supply noncommissioned officer with 3rd Bn, 319th AFAR. He continued saying, “I would have to remind her not to push herself too hard and to stay within the limits of her profile,” he said laughing through the sentence.
Soule found motivation and support in her friends and kept reminding herself that she wasn’t going to quit.
“I have never seen someone so determined to get back on jump status like Soule,” said Spc. Frank Garza, Soule’s coworker.
“She would meet us at the gym and forced us to workout so she could get back to walking and jumping again,” said Garza.
Nine months after her surgery, Soule made a full recovery and was cleared by doctors and was allowed back on jump status.
“I just couldn’t wait to be part of the team,” said Soule.
I was a little nervous when I jumped but everything went fine and I am glad I am back,” she said with a smile.
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2015 10:27 |
| Story ID: | 172074 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | PORTLAND, ME, US |
| Web Views: | 2,102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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