[NousDefionsDoc]

It was about a block walk from the Team Room. Gary takes me up and "introduces" me to the instructors. Hobu etc. tells Hobu "Don't send him back until he can fly." And leaves.

In comes this old dude in a jump suit JUST reaming some poor guy out for something.

Somebody says "Who's the grouchy-assed old civilian?"

BOOM!, instant new target for wrath.

Bubba walks in and says, "I see some of you have already met Mr. Pronier." Laughing his ass off.

I tried to steer clear of him, but he got to everybody eventually.

My time came at MACKALL on the first equipment jump. I'm dick dancing around trying to lower the rucksack and not getting anywhere. Runnin' out of altitude and ideas about the same time, so I figure "To hell with it, I'll just ride it in." We used to do it in the 82nd all the time. Well, by the time I made the decision, it was too late to turn into the wind. My best landing ever - runnin' with the wind, riding in Miss ALICE, on the edge of the road. Pain in dimensions and places hither to unknown. NO skin on the shins from the ALICE frame. I hurt so bad I couldn't breath.

Hobu lands right next to me, beautiful tip toe landing. "Break anything?" Laughing

"No, stop laughing."

"Here comes Mr. Pronier, you should run."

"I can't, I hurt too bad. I'll take the ass chewing."

"Really, I would run if I were you, even if my legs were broken, I'd run. Too late."

Mr. Pronier - "You are one dumbass SOB and you better not have damaged any government issue. NOW do you understand why they invented lowering lines? NOW do you understand why we teach you about the wind?"

"Yes sir"

"Get up and go get another 'chute and hurry the hell up, its not like the rest of us are waiting for you or anything. Wipe some dirt on that blood on your pants, I don't want you scaring the Marines."

LOL - I would have gone out any door anywhere in the world behind that man.