Military Freefall Parachutist Badge

The Military Freefall Parachutist Badge is a distinctive military insignia awarded to qualified personnel of the United States Army and United States Air Force. This badge signifies expertise in military freefall parachute operations, an advanced form of parachuting involving high-altitude military parachuting.

Qualification and Training

To earn the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, the candidate must first be a qualified parachutist, having earned the Parachutist Badge. This involves completing the basic jump training to become jump-qualified. Subsequently, the individual must undergo rigorous ground training and fulfill the requirements of the Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course.

Course Requirements

The Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course includes several challenging components:

Night Jumps: Conducting parachute jumps under low-light conditions.
Combat Equipment: Managing jumps while equipped with combat gear.
Oxygen Jumps: Performing high-altitude jumps requiring oxygen support.

Upon successful completion of these elements, the individual is awarded the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge.

Master Military Freefall Parachutist Badge

An advanced version of this badge, known as the Master Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, is available for those who qualify as Master Military Freefall Parachutists or Jumpmasters. This involves additional training through the Military Free-Fall Jumpmaster Course, where participants learn the responsibilities of a jumpmaster in freefall operations.

Insignia and Recognition

The Master Military Freefall Parachutist Badge is distinguished by a star and laurel wreath centered above the badge. Furthermore, both basic and master badges can be adorned with small bronze and gold stars, known as Combat Jump Devices, representing participation in combat jumps.

Historical Context

Military freefall operations have been an integral part of the modern military since the development of techniques and equipment that allow for strategic insertions of forces via parachute at high altitudes. The establishment of the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge serves both as a symbol of this capability and as recognition of the skills and bravery required to perform such operations.

Related Personalities

The badge has been awarded to notable military figures such as John F. Mulholland Jr. and Mike Vining, who have made significant contributions to military parachuting operations and training.