Free Fall

Filecard Info

Code Name: Free Fall

Paratrooper

File Name: Arndt, Philip W.

SN: 664-2781-BS10

Primary Military Speciality: Paratrooper

Secondary Military Speciality: Infantry

Birthplace: Downers Grove, Illinois

Grade: E-5

Before a qualified paratrooper can take the grueling Airborne Ranger training course, he must attend a three week Ranger Indoctrination Program that is guaranteed to weed out 40% of the candidates. Next, there´s a three week Pre-Ranger Program to prepare the candidates for the full eight weeks of unprecedented stress, pain, discomfort, snake-eating, forced marching, sleeplessness, and jumping out of an aircraft with knives between their teeth, just like actual combat, but without live ammo. Free Fall enjoyed every minute of it!

“Here is a trooper who exemplifies the very best we can produce. Someone who is highly motivated, possesses an unparalleled degree of technical skill and boundless fonts of energy and determination. He can run faster, jump higher, and do more push-ups than any soldier who has ever survived Ranger School. He has a Master´s degree in Eastern Philosophy and is honest to a fault. His only problem is that his ego is about as big as the Grand Canyon!”