In the year of 1942, during World War 2 the first Canadian paratroopers started training. The first Airborne unit, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was formed, going into its first battle on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It was disbanded when W.W. 2 ended, but Canada has had paratroopers in the Canadian Army, leading up to the creation of The Canadian Airborne Regiment in 1968, based in Edmonton, Alberta.
The author Sean Gilligan joined in 1983, as an RCR recruit. Sent to 3 Commando for training, this book explains how an untrained trooper goes through Selection, leading to the Basic Parachute Course. If successful, the inductee goes through another six months of extensive training as a platoon member. The final part of Selection involved the Airborne Indoctrination Course, two weeks of Hell. Finally if passing this course, the soldier is awarded the Airborne coin and becomes a full fledged Airborne soldier. This story focusses on a three year tour with the Airborne Regiment, in Canada and abroad. Also what happened after leaving the Airborne. After release from the Canadian Forces in 1987, the author transitioned to civilian life, but continued parachuting. Decades later, he is one of some 3000 active skydivers in Canada. This is a story of parachuting, the risks and skills required and why do it at all.
Lastly it deals with injuries during jumping and the recovery process. Included are the many near misses and close calls with death itself. Having survived these near death experiences, the author has as proven insight into those presently facing danger in harm's way overseas or at home. Ultimately parachuting is still a valid skill today, used in many applications from military parachute units in many countries, search & rescue, fire fighting, pilot training, Special Forces HALO insertion into enemy held zones, fighting the War on Terror, Astronaut training to civilian skydiving competitions to the casual everyday one time tandem student. It is not for most humans, but in the hands of a gifted, highly skilled person, it is a vital tool to have. It is also a good read for those interested in knowing why a sane person would risk life by exiting a serviceable plane in any condition (within safety limits) at altitudes exceeding 30,000 feet. For an elite warrior however, parachuting is one of the first steps to becoming one of the world's best.
