THE PARACHUTE JUMP TRAINING

Parachute Regiments are specialist unit in the armed forces trained for special operations. The equivalent of the parachute regiment in the Ghana Armed forces is the Airborne Force. Even though the Airborne force receives parachute training because of its special role, all regular career officers of the Ghana Army are required to undergo a 10 week parachute training to be able to operate alongside the Airborne Force when the need arises. I find it difficult to forget 24 March 1999 because it was my first day I ever did my first parachute jump.

Military training is difficult and dangerous and even more difficult for officers because they are supposed to lead troops and take decisions in difficult situations which are analysed by the media most times after the dust has settled. Officer Cadets in the Ghana Military Academy undergo parachute training aimed at building their confidence, teamwork and endurance. These are requisite attribute of great leaders both in the military and the corporate world. I was part of the class of 1999 of 50 cadets and I believed that my confidence, endurance and teamwork skill was going to be developed if I survived the parachute jump training.

The officer cadet course is in two phases. Phase one is the Standard Military Course (SMC) and phase two is the Regular Career Course (RCC).The parachute training takes place at the RCC stage in the northern region of Ghana where the weather is hot and dry. We start training from 4 am to 4pm carrying 40kg sandbags or logs running and walking intermittently for about 30 km, and drop whatever we carry, return to barracks and go for them in the afternoon when the sun was hot. Our worse enemies were the Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) and the Parachute Jump Instructors (PJIs) whose work it was to ensure that every item on the training programme was taken care of. The training is a requirement especially for regular Army career officers to gain the commission of the President of the Republic of Ghana.

The parachute training is a two part ten week   rigorous training which demands physical fitness and a high level of endurance. Eight weeks is devoted for physical fitness, ground training and a host of drills   from the time you board the aircraft through to the time you land and fold your parachute. Obstacles crossing were routine for the 8 weeks ground training and some were so dangerous that a little mistake could be fatal if strict orders and instruction were not adhered to. We are expected to cross obstacles in teams and it was the responsibility of each member in the team to ensure every member crosses if not the whole team goes through the whole obstacles again. It was at this point that I developed and came to appreciate the essence of team cohesion.

Each day of the 10 weeks ended with the sense of accomplishment and I developed the feeling that everything was possible with determination. .Again, I realized that what really unlocks ones potential is daily effort and not strength or intelligence. After almost 14 years of the parachute training I can say that the objectives of the training which was confidence building, teamwork and endurance was achieved to the fullest.