I am attending Jumpmaster School. How do I prepare?

Another entry in Jeff's "succeed at schools" log

I attended the USASOC JM course, not AAS @ Benning or Bragg, so things may be different.

1) USASOC course does not have to memorize and recite prejump...however you are graded on your confidence while you read a section of it. So be familiar with prejump, don't just show up without any idea of how prejump works or sounds.

2) Refresh your math before you go. You will be doing math, simple algebra, but still, knowing how to calculate distance, rate, time can save you some trouble and keep your "reentry".

3) Buy good hand cream. During JMPI your hands are rubbing all over webbing and clothing. Your hands will dry out, hangnails will catch and tear, skin will crack, aka your fingers may actually be bleeding. Some people use super glue, I found what works if right before you begin your sequence to rub good hand cream into your cuticles and knuckles, and do it again as soon as you finish. Keep them moist and they won't tear or rip, and you will be able to continue the course pain free. Super glue can continue to tear more and just make the course that much more painful.

4) exercise your back before you go. You will be in the parachute for hours at a time, so don't be surprised when you have a sore back.

5) Don't mess up PWAC, it's the easy part of school, but you can still fail, study your hand signals and order of operations.

6) Nomenclature and prejump: you already know it. You hear it every time you are on a jump. It should not be surprising because you've heard it all at least 12 times to even be admitted to the course. Not to say you don't need to study, just that many people get intimidated by the amount of items you need to memorize for nomenclature. Much of it you know - main lift web, leg strap release assemblies, waist strap, diagonal/horizontal backstraps. You've heard it a million times if you've been to jump school.