In the United States Army, parachute riggers are responsible for repairing and maintaining textile and canvas items. They also mend webbed equipment and clothing and help prepare an array of supplies for airdrop operations. From a technical perspective, parachute riggers perform crucial inspections on all airdrop cargo and equipment, examining and installing extraction and release systems for the drops. Additionally, they inventory all airdrop equipment, cleaning and tracking it after each operation.
Men and women who wish to pursue a career in parachute rigging must complete 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training followed by 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Throughout this 16-week course, aspiring riggers learn parachute rigging techniques, how to maintain air and sea rescue equipment including oxygen equipment, and how to mend such survival equipment as inflatable rafts.
About the author: A former Parachute Rigger for the United States Army Reserves, John DellaDonna currently serves as a Certified Public Accountant in Mableton, Georgia. In his spare time, John DellaDonna enjoys golfing, attending college football games, and traveling.