Parachute rigger
This is to help them better understand how the equipment they prepare and maintain works, and to help ensure that each parachute is professionally packed to a safe standard.
Later, however, the flow of reinforcements for the parachute battalions posed an acute problem and it was decided to remedy this situation by training paratroopers in Canada.
On 1 April 1998 the former Canadian Forces Parachute Maintenance Depot (CFPMD) was amalgamated into CPC as Support Company.
CFLAWC became the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Land Advanced Warfare, in addition to its previous focus on delivery of training.
Training Company is organized into four subject matter expert (SME) platoons for the conduct of the majority of the courses at CFLAWC.
Riggers have played an important role in the American military since the advent of the use of the parachute for aerial insertion of troops, supplies, and equipment into combat zones.
After 1950, the U.S. Army assigned the Quartermaster Corps with the mission of aerial delivery, including parachute rigging.
A parachute rigger course was established at the U.S. Army Quartermaster School at Fort Gregg-Adams in 1951, and has continued since then.
According to an Army News Service story, "while most of the course involves physical training, soldiers are also familiarized with such Airborne operations as parachute landing falls, rigging equipment and actions in the aircraft."
The U.S. Army MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) designation for parachute riggers is graded in five skill levels, from 92R1P to 92R5P.
The course provides training on inspecting, packing, rigging, recovering, storing, and maintaining air item equipment.
Air Drop Phase - Includes instruction in cargo parachute packing, rigging supplies and equipment for airdrop, types and limitations of aircraft.
Aerial Equipment Repair Phase - Trains fundamentals and procedures of inspection, classification, and repair of maintenance of personnel, cargo, extraction parachutes and airdrop equipment to include the service of High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) Automatic Ripcord Release (ARR).
Throughout the course, the student is constantly reminded of the fact that all parachutes must be packed with meticulous care to insure proper functioning.
Service members from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces also attend parachute rigger courses at Fort Gregg-Adams.
United States Air Force parachute riggers are trained at Sheppard AFB in Texas.
"[4] Airmen attend a 3½-month course learning to inspect, pack, and repair emergency parachutes, as well as a wide variety of other types of aircrew equipment.
Parachute Rigger, or "PR", became an enlisted job rating in 1942, but the name changed during the 1960s to Aircrew Survival Equipmentman.
The United States Navy parachute riggers are now trained at Naval Air Station Pensacola during a 12-week (55-training-day) school.
Seat Survival Kits and Life Preservers finish out the entire course of instruction, where they will graduate upon completion.
The Navy Enlisted Classification Code (NEC) of 7356-Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (IMA) Technician is awardable upon completion of advanced C-level training.
An original statement providing rating/rank description and time-in-service on a unit letterhead signed by the Commander, Division Officer, or Supervisor will be required for FAA licensing.
They inspect, maintain, pack, and use specialized premeditated personnel static-line and free-fall parachute systems.
Air Delivery Specialists also serve in other USMC units that have an airborne capability such as reconnaissance units (both division and force level), US Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Companies.
Air Delivery Specialist assigned to any of the aforementioned units, provide additional combat support as they are integrated into those formation's quick reaction force.
U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technicians (ASTs) inspect and maintain all personnel and aerial delivery parachutes.
Additional certifications are available to permit rigger As to pack tandem and Pilot Emergency Parachutes (PEP).
The practical test consists of inspecting and repacking 20 reserves, along with hand sewing and a simple machine-sewn patch on a canopy.
There is no written test for Master Riggers, but the oral exam is far more extensive, including identifying dozens of material samples.
The Master practical exam starts with assembling and adjusting a sewing machine, then doing a major canopy repair that includes a seam, reinforcing tape and line attachment.
