Jump #2 in Airborne school. We're in the back of the C-130 on the way to Fryar Drop Zone.

The Private to my left sees a new Butterbar next to him, puffs himself up and asks me, voice full of bravado and challenge: Hey sir - you scared?

I see what he's about. He doesn't know that I was SGT Baka until I finished OCS about 4 weeks ago and I'm a little more seasoned than the typical LT who can't land nav out of a wet paper bag.

I reply with a simple "Yeah"

He catches my tone - sees that I have concerns but I'm not pissing myself or nervous as a cat - then he calms himself, visibly unpuffs, and responds in kind: Yeah, me too.

Me: I'd have to be an idiot to not be at least a little worried. Shit happens on these jumps. Scared or not, I'm still jumping . . . but I'm going to use my fear to focus my attention on the training we got, and on doing things right. Recommend you do the same.

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PS: Some of you may recall there's a creek that runs through Fryar DZ. LT Jones, who was with me in OCS just before Airborne school, landed in the mud next to the creek on jump #3. When he initiated his PLF his left leg was already buried so deep that he ended up with a tib/fib fracture. Shit does indeed happen . . . some you can account for, some is just random chance.