VIP Culture denounced as cause of death in airborne death; in what other ways does the VIP culture impair the force?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 13:43:24 -0400

The 18th Airborne Corps has determined that the VIP culture contributed to a training accident that killed a bright and revered O-6. http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/07/31/3311768/army-vip-culture-led-to-parachute.html.

This denunciation of VIP culture centered on a safety and training issue, but how deep do you think the problem goes? Share your stories if you can.

Army “VIP culture” led to parachute accident that killed former JBLM officer

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 1 at 2014 2:23 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:23:52 -0400

Sir, a very tragic and preventable accident.
I believe this is the first time I've ever seen a shift away from the 'VIP Culture' in the Army and I'm happy to see it. I am dismayed that it has taken an even such as this to bring about this long overdue change.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson has, in my opinion, made a very strong statement in his implementation of corrective actions. I certainly hope that those changes remain in place. There is no room for 'exceptions' for anyone in an area as dangerous as this. There is plenty of blame to go around, but after the fact helps no one. The important thing now is change going forward. His actions were not the typical 'knee jerk reaction' that we are used to seeing, but a very thoughtful, and enforceable plan of no exceptions to doing what is RIGHT.
Again.. I just wish it hadn't taken such a tragedy for this to happen.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 1 at 2014 7:29 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:29:13 -0400

Well, in my experience, the VIP culture led to a field-grade putting soldiers at risk for his own purposes and an eventual BCD for said field-grade.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 10:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 22:59:13 -0400

This is a shame. Rank should never be used in this way. I recall hearing about this but didn't realize it was an officer and the circumstance surrounding it.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 10:07 AM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 10:07:49 -0400

While the article does indicate VIP culture being a portion of the blame, what actually killed the COL according to the article was a probable weak exit combined with improper packing and drop altitude. I'm not supporting a VIP culture at all, but there were some very concrete things that could have been fixed by the jumper, the rigger, and the JMs that would have allowed for a safe landing. People act or fail to act.

The most intriguing section to me was " Wright’s parachute was not packed to the latest standards and had two small flaws. The unit, known as the 11th Quartermaster Company, was known as a sweatshop in the Army. Officials had demanded a restructuring of the company after the 2011 death of another paratrooper Staff Sgt. Jamal Clay. The overhaul never happened, Cavoli wrote."

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 4 at 2014 7:55 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 19:55:27 -0400

Pi$$ poor all the way around. Just goes to show how the domino effect gets kicked off by one lousy call. I feel bad for the COL's family for something so preventable.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2014 10:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 22:10:58 -0400

Humility is a diminishing tenet.

Response by SFC Cornelius Walsh made Aug 5 at 2014 8:21 AM

SFC Cornelius Walsh — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 08:21:31 -0400

I have no problem at all as a Jumpmaster with taking the Senior leadership to the side and conducting their pre-jump training on the DZ since their schedule often does not afford them the time to conduct it elsewhere, with the same lead time as the main element.

When it comes to airborne operations, The JM Team outranks everyone on the DZ. I will not ever compromise my integrity, since that could kill someone. If a CSM/GO wants to chew me out for making them go through a safety brief and pre-jump training, that's fine. I will respectfully inform them that it is required, and that's that.

I've scratched people from jumps before for pulling 'VIP' games on the DZ - I'll do it again.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 9:45 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 09:45:57 -0400

Sir,
Very interesting article. Col. Wright's death is certainly a tragic one but hopefully because of it the military learns a lesson and does not repeat it's mistakes. I think Gen. Anderson hit the nail on the head.