This is a great video that showcases basic Free Fall training that the SEALs go through. It's also a great tribute to former SEAL, Shane Patton (KIA Afghanistan June 28th, 2005).
Skydiving is one of the things I miss the most about being in the Teams and I can't wait to get some jumps in this winter down at my local drop zone in San Diego, CA. I did my initial MFF training with the Army at Bragg and Yuma. They have a great school and ironically for a Navy guy I've also been to a lot of Army Schools. Airborne, Parachute Rigger and Stinger Gunner.
Video highlights:
Notice the difference in Kit and color of the jumpsuits that change throughout the video. The gray suits indicate a beginner and the first part of training without combat kit. You can tell the guys are just learning how to get stable in free fall and you can really see the instructors giving them hand signals indicating instructions and what maneuvers to do next.
5:06 into the video you'll notice what NOT TO DO! Reminds me of some Jordanians we had in my class. They couldn't get stable period, AND they came to jump school with over a hundred jumps. They told me their training in Jordan was basically the following: Get thrown out of the plane, scream as you fall to your death, check altimeter and pull rip cord. The would literally scream while tumbling head over butt to the earth until pull altitude....crazy funny to watch on the highlight reel.
Once they kit up (flight suits and cammies), you can see a big difference in exits and stability control. If you guys like this stuff/commentary, let me know and I'll work on showcasing some other units as well. There's some great stuff out there on Army, Air Force and USMC skydiving (sorry coast guard...). Here's a look at some wind tunnel training. Enjoy!
Out Here-Brandon
Basic Maneuvers Explained:
Stability: When these guys practice exiting the plane and getting stable in flight.
Right and Left Turns: Using a visual reference point on the horizon you turn 360 right and left
Forward glide: Hands brought into shoulders/chest, allows you to track without giving up too much altitude.
Tracking: Arms brought behind and hands below the thighs. Tracks you forward but you lose a lot of altitude.
Wave off: Waving hands over your head prior to pulling. This indicates to potential jumpers above that you are about to deploy your chute and to get the hell out of the way!
