A Leap of Faith to Understand

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.25.2018

Story by Sgt. Cody Parsons 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA – All American Week is an annual event for alumni, paratroopers and families of the 82nd Airborne.
2018 marks the 29th All American Week in the Divisions history.
Some of the events include the Division Run, Division Review, sports and Modern Army Combatives tournaments.
Another event, which is more interactive for the whole family, is the 34-foot tower. During All American Week jumpmasters from the Advanced Airborne School assisted families with their pursuit in conquering this event May 21-23, 2018, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The United States Army Airborne School, also known as Jump School, started in June, 1940. Jump school has three phases - ground week, tower week and jump week. During tower week the prospective paratroopers use the 34-foot tower to gain familiarity with the in-flight and proper exiting procedures of jumping from an aircraft.
Pete Long has attended twenty All American Weeks. Starting his airborne career at 24 years old. This year, at 82 years old, Long visits fellow paratroopers at the 34 foot tower which is his favorite event.
“I remember at airborne school the jumpmasters would give someone a few chances to jump out of the towers,” said Long. “Once a guy became a tower jump refusal, he was walked down the tower in front of all of the other soldiers waiting their turn. We had one soldier kicked out of the school and the next day he was headed off to Korea.”
Starting his his career in an engineer unit at Fort Bragg, Long said “I always wanted to be in the airborne. We would have the paratroopers running by us wearing sharp uniforms, in shape and looking good every time,” said Long “I wanted to be a part of that.”
Looking out of the 34-foot tower, a cool breeze hitting his face, Long hooked up to the risers on the humid May afternoon. At 82 years old the retired veteran puts a foot forward on the jump platform and waits for the command.
“Green light, GO!” yells the jumpmaster, who is in charge of ensuring the safety of paratroopers and their families during this event.
Mr. Long jumps from the tower and snaps into a good tight body position, his hands on each end of his reserve parachute and chin on chest. Although Long is one of the oldest paratroopers to exit the mock doors during this year’s event, he exits with such a purpose is seems as if his last high performance jump was just yesterday.
Sergeant First Class Rob Green, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Airborne, and his wife Laura Green were also enjoying the tower event this week.
Sgt. 1st Class Green held their two-year-old son, eagerly watching for his wife’s jump.
“My husband didn’t think I was going to jump!” said Laura as a smile beams from her face. “It was worth it as a spouse to know just a little bit of what my paratrooper is doing, which really makes it a great experience.”
Before going up the tower Laura said she thought ‘Oh I can do it!’ After climbing the stairs she became hesitant to jump receiving the “Go!” command 5 times before exiting.
“I liked it and it was a lot of fun, but I don’t think I’ll be doing it again!” laughed Laura, “All American Week is fun as a whole I would definitely recommend it to other spouses.”
Happy to have gotten another chance to relive his days as a paratrooper, Long said the camaraderie is where it is really at.
“The best part of All American Week is getting to talk to fellow paratroopers, past and present” said Mr. Long. “It makes it worth coming out.”

• Date Taken: 05.25.2018
• Date Posted: 05.25.2018 16:23
• Story ID: 278499
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US