92R Parachute Rigger

About the Role

Take your skills to new heights as a Parachute Rigger in the Army National Guard. You will be responsible for the safety of the personnel and equipment using the parachutes you pack, requiring incredible attention to detail. Chutes of varying sizes must be precisely packed and maintained. You will also maintain parachute materials, including patching, sewing, and storage of chutes, packs, and web gear.

To test your chute-packing abilities, you will jump using a chute you packed yourself. Training, including airborne jump training, will fully prepare you for this responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Rig supplies, equipment, and vehicles for airdrop
• Perform technical, routine, and in-storage rigger-type inspections on cargo, extraction, and personnel parachutes, as well as other airdrop equipment before, during, and after each use
• Inventory, clean, receive, store, and issue all airdrop equipment used in airdrop operations
• Use and maintain machines and tools for fabrication, modification, and repair of parachutes and other airdrop equipment
• Inspect, test, and install extraction and release systems
• Maintain air-sea rescue equipment and repair inflatable rafts and other survival equipment

Skills You’ll Learn

• Maintenance of air-sea rescue equipment
• Repair of inflatable rafts and other survival equipment

Helpful skills include knowledge of shop mechanics and science, high attention to detail, and an interest in contributing to the safety of others.

Civilian Career Opportunities

Through your training, you will develop skills and experience applicable to civilian careers with parachute rigging and supply companies, commercial parachuting schools, some government agencies, and survival equipment manufacturing firms.

Training

Job training for a Parachute Rigger consists of 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Instead of paying to learn these skills, you will earn a regular paycheck and qualify for tuition assistance.

Benefits

• Paid training
• A monthly paycheck
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Federal and State tuition assistance
• Retirement benefits for part-time service
• Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage)
• 401(k)-type savings plan
• Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000 for existing loans)
• Health care benefits
• VA home loans
• Bonuses, if applicable

Most non-prior service candidates will earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change.

Requirements

• Military enlistment in the Army National Guard
• Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
• Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
• Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)

Programs and benefits are subject to change. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.