Parachute Wings

[Derek Blevins]

I know you guys must resent people who claim to be members of your Corps as much as we do. We call them 'Walters' after the Danny Kaye film Walter Mitty.

We currently have a British film stunt-man whose 'CV' states he was a Royal Marines Commando, among other things; SAS, SBS etc.

He has now admitted that he was only in the Reserve, and never served as a 'Regular'.

One of his many claims is that, "In 1991 I qualified for the USMC coveted Gold Parachute Wings."

We would appreciate any background information about the award of these Wings.

Regards, Derek

[Sixguns]

Master jump wings (gold) would have required about six weeks of training. Marines most often times earn this badge as a result of completing a U.S. Army parachutist course of instruction. More often than not, the course is held at Ft. Benning in Georgia.

Sixguns

[Kalbo]

Derek,

After jump school, a Marine will wear the "dreaded lead sleds" (silver wings). Once the Marine completes 10 jumps, he/she will become a Gold Winger after the Gold Wing cereromony. How easy or hard this cereromony is depends on the unit and the Gold Wingers doing the "pinning"

FYI, Marines without jump wings are called "Legs".

Hope this helps.

Kalbo

[Derek Blevins]

Sixguns and Kalbo

Thanks for that, it's all helping to build a picture of what it is he is claiming to have achieved!

Do you have any idea how common it is to have a 'non- American' serviceman complete this course, and what would be the point of them qualifying for Gold Parachute Wings. There must be a considerable cost involved.

How easy, (is there a long waiting list?) and how common is it, for US Marines to achieve Gold Wings? Is it based on the unit to which they are posted, having a Para role?

Many thanks, Derek

[Kalbo]

Derek,

We had a couple of 'non-American' servicemen in our class - I think it may be pretty common, but as far as them getting Gold Wings, I don't think so - I never heard of anyone other than Marines getting the Gold Wings.

Is it based on the unit to which they are posted, having a Para role?

Pretty much Yes - That is what makes it hard to achieve. There are alot of quotos given out for Jump School to administrative type, people in the service acdamies, etc. They all get the dreaded lead sleds - but proprably won't get the Gold Wings, because all their jumps will be at Jump School. No unit jumps.

Hope this helps.
Kalbo

[trimmerjr]

You must be in a jump unit to get gold wings i.e. Recon/Angilco/Air service support/seals ect..

[Derek Blevins]

Thanks for all your help, and the information you have provided has been added to that gathered elsewhere to counter his many other claims to fame!

You are now all honorary members of 'Royal Marines Walter Busters'.

May we wish you and yours a Very Happy Christmas, and a Peaceful 2004.

Once a Marine, Always a Marine

Regards, Derek

[Sticky blue]

Hello Uncle Derek!
As an update to Derek's post:
It would appear that our Walter has been... errrmmm... how do I put this?
Very liberal with the truth!
He was a reservist and has possibly done some courses but as a reservist we can not prove, or disprove, any of his claims.
Sadly there is nothing our government can do, should that read will do? There is no law that can stop anyone making ridiculous claims... nothing!

Thanks for your time guys.

Lt General, His Royal Highness Sticky of Blue VC, MBE, MSM, Congressional Medal of whatever I want, Gold Para Wings, Brown Wings, VD, Scar and Bar If I forgot anything it is because I haven't awarded myself with it yet!!

[steve evans]

As another Bootneck I will say the same as Derek and Sticky have said.

This bloke has used every avenue to get where he is! To me he is not a MARINE but a waste of time!

ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE! he is not by any means a MARINE.

He has played at doing the SBS and the SAS courses but was a partimer.

He has never fired a gun in anger or had a weapon fired at him!

I jumped out of aeroplanes (for money, Para pay) This person now jumps out of cars and gets set on fire! I will get me coat!

Kin cannot get me head round people who do it half heartedly.

STEVE EVANS

[oldanglico]

Derek, could not help getting in on this one. I served with 2nd Anglico '79 to '81. (On Exchage duties) Even though I was a parachute trained Royal Marine I had to complete 10 jumps to get my USMC "Gold"wings. Believe me when I say the ceremony was painful. Regards, Jimmy Millin PS Fantastic tour of duty!

[Derek Blevins]

Jimmy
Great to hear from you, and to see your background.

As you achieved your Gold wings as a Royal Marine, is it possible that someone from RMR London could have achieved the same thing in 1991?

How come the ceremony was 'painful'? There's got to be an interesting story here!

There are a number of former 'Royals' on Tony Lang's excellent web site www.onceamarinealwaysamarine.co.uk. Come and join us. That extends to our USMC friends as well.

Best wishes, Derek

[firstsgtmike]

Derek,

Until you receive a more definitive answer, the pinning on of jump wings is just that, with the emphasis on "pinning".

[crew]

that's pinning to the flesh and bone, to make sure they stay on.

[leroy8541]

After completion of the infamous 10th jump you are/were, called out to the tree, all of the gold wingers in the battalion were waiting in line for you to arrive in a white T-shirt. it is a gauntlet type of initiation. The senior man would then present the new addition with his wings by pinning them thru the t-shirt and into your chest by any means he sees fit.

[leroy8541]

Pentagon brass 'disgusted' by Marine hazing ceremony
January 31, 1997
Web posted at: 9:30 p.m. EST
From Correspondent Jamie McIntyre

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Under fire for allowing a hazing ritual known as "blood-winging," Pentagon officials acknowledged Friday that the painful rite was not an isolated incident.

The Marine Corps has court-martialed or disciplined about 80 people since 1994 for hazing or more serious offenses, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen said Friday during a televised news conference.


But the graphic video of "blood-winging" -- first broadcast Thursday by CNN -- has clearly shaken U.S. military leaders.

In the video, taken in 1991 at a training camp for Marine paratroopers in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, a group of men can be seen performing a forbidden ceremony in which they pin paratrooper jump wings directly into others' chests. Marines were shown writhing and crying out in pain as others pounded the spiked medals into their chests through tee-shirts