| Unit Name: | U.S. Army Jumpmaster School |
| Dates: | 1971-present |
| Type: | Military training |
| Role: | Advanced special skills training |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Headgear worn by special skills instructors, known as "Black Hats" |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Beret flash of the U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School at Fort Liberty |
| Identification Symbol 3 Label: | Beret flash of the 1st Bn, 507th Inf Reg who conduct all parachute training at Fort Moore |
The United States Army Jumpmaster School trains personnel in the skills necessary to jumpmaster a combat-equipped jump and the proper attaching, jumping, and releasing of combat and individual equipment while participating in an actual jump that is proficient in the duties and responsibilities of the Jumpmaster and Safety; procedures for rigging individual equipment containers and door bundles; personnel parachute components by their specific nomenclature and characteristics; procedures and standards required to conduct a JumpMaster Personnel Inspection (JMPI); the duties and responsibilities of the Drop Zone Safety Officer; the presentation of the Jumpmaster briefing and sustained airborne training (SAT); and the execution of the duties of a Jumpmaster and Safety from a USAF aircraft during a day/night combat equipment jump.
In order to obtain the coveted Jumpmaster rating, an individual must complete a series of requirements. Since 1950, only those in the ranks of Sergeant and above may perform any Jumpmaster duties.[1] The individual must be a graduate of The U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School at Fort Liberty, North Carolina,[2] The United States Army Jumpmaster School at Fort Moore, Georgia[3] or the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Jumpmaster School Mobile Training Teams (MTT). In order to enter these elite military schools, the individual must meet the following standards:
The three Jumpmaster schools are each roughly three weeks in length and consist of six key examinations:[4]
Students are expected to come prepared for class and to spend the time required to learn the material presented throughout each day. Upon arrival each student should already know all of the nomenclature for both the T-10 and T-11 parachute systems.
Generally speaking, it takes a potential jumpmaster at least two attempts to pass the course (less than 30% of attendees earn a first time Go). In recognition of this, returning students are commonly referred to as “alumni” by their Black Hat instructors. There is also a common joke that those who pass on their first attempt actually tested out early from the “full six week course”.
Upon completion of the course new jumpmasters are expected to report to their units with a thorough understanding of the basic skills presented in class. They should then familiarize themselves with their units SOPs, so that they can keep up with the accelerated rate of learning required to keep up with their unit's operational tempo. Above all else they should always stress rehearsals.
The student who graduates the jumpmaster course with the highest standing receives the Harry "Tug" Wilson Award. This award is named after Warrant Officer Harry "Tug" Wilson, the U.S. Army's most experienced airborne jumper during World War II, who served in an instrumental position within the Army's elite Parachute Test Platoon, testing multiple new parachute systems under a variety of conditions.