My First Time Skydiving As A Navy SEAL 

As a retired Navy EOD tech/parachutist I get asked what it’s like to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft, I tell them my first 50 jumps were night jumps, then on my 51st I opened my eyes, LOL. Glad you safely made it through your MFF training.

Man you're not kidding about the skydiving world being full of old hippies. I civilian skydived from 1988 to 2004. Man at the fun we had before 911. With all the things we did I can't imagine going through what you guys did. Much respect

Chad, thank you for these videos. Your demeanor and personality alone make these videos worth watching, aside from all the great content. Thank you again.

Thanks Chad, your stories are a inspiration to all of us old broken down guys.

Great video! I went through the Army jump school at Ft. Benning back in 2003 and that was about the most fun I had while in the Army. The first jump had me a bit nervous when the doors opened and I saw just how close 1,250 feet is to the ground but man...what a rush that was! I am only a 5 jump chump but have always wanted to try actual sky diving. Thanks for you service Chadd!

Thank you Shipmate for the continued conversation!

My first (and only) jump was from 15,000 ft. I did it for a Charity. 60 second freefall before my Tandem Instructor pulled the chord. We came out in a somersault. I remember looking down at birds circling below us. ❤ It was great 🎉

My 1st jump - 12500 ft - 20 degrees at altitude - jumped out, same thing tunnel vision and lack of awareness till 8000 ft so about 25 seconds, I was awakened by my main AFF jumpmaster shaking me by my leg and arm grips like i was some kid who got caught smashing his pumpkins on his porch at 2am holloween night... I did a practice touch checked main and reserve jump masters went for my second practice touch and wham! I was under my main at 4500 ft and watched my instructors peel off and track away.... Crazy experience.... Went on to jump over 330 civilian jumps, 12 night jumps, 2 🎈 jumps, halo training, and my 1st base jump in Moab last Oct. Thanks for sharing it brought back those memories like they were yesterday.

Not a hippie, but I am a skydiver. I second that motion that everyone should try it at least once. You’ll fall to the ground and your confidence in yourself will skyrocket.

My 1st jump was 10k my 2nd was 14k feet .. I was an 8 year 11B infantrymen and I had never went airborne.. so I was hell bent on jumping .. and you are exactly right when that door opens and that cool air hits you in the face the shit gets real .. real fast ..

In preparation for skydiving training, to get used to the height and to overcome our fear, we had to jump from the 3m and later also from the 5m tower every Friday after swimming in 10-weeks-programme. From week to week new jumping tricks like somersaults were added. We got three types of men: 1. „The ones who did perfectly jumps without any fear.“ 2. „Some guys who had some fear because of the height, standing 10min on top of the springboard and then finally to crash into water“ 3. „The fearless ones who gave all their will and passion they have to finally crash also into water.“ When they emerged from the water they looked like someone had beaten them up with a wooden slat in their face. That was a nice spectacle for the instructors. Good times! :) Greetings from the „Schwarzwald“ GER

I was never airborne in the Marine Corps but I did get into jumping for a while afterwards as a civilian. My Jump Master was a prior active Marine and his 2 sons were as well. They assisted him and were about my age. The comradery made the experience even better. Anyway, I always wondered why there were active Seals jumping with civilians. Now I know why. Thanks for the video.

Hey Chad. I was a Navy Test Parachutist in the early 90's. My 1st jump was a static line water jump. I've got about 900 jumps (military & civilian). 40-ways killed it for me bro. Too many canopies in the air and everyone is shooting for the same target (no bueno). I'm 54 and quite content on the ground these days. Love the stories and the way you tell them. Thanks for your channel.

I had anaphylactic shock from a "siete del mar" (7 of sea) soup from a Mexican restaurant. I couldn't breath, I broke out in hives, I couldn't even speak to the hospital staff. Benadryl and Epi are life savers but the upper/downer effect is hell.

1126 jumps personally, in service and retired. I won't stop until my brain tells me it doesn't want to. 😁. Love yer vids Brother. ❤🇨🇦

My daughter wanted to go skydiving for her high school graduation present. It was her and her best friend, both adrenalin junkies and myself. The experience was absolutely amazing and yes, I would do it again. My profile picture is my daughter and I pre-jump.

I was a PR in the Navy. Allegedly, the old school before Pensacola, there was Lake Hurst NJ. When A school graduation, you jumped with your rig that you packed.

I’m just amazed you have kept all your certificates. If all else fails you have a future in scrapbooking for sure.

Back in the day I did a static line jump. I had line twist. They were yelling over the radio to me, but I didn't realize I was the blue and white canopy! I snapped out of it and rocked my risers, so I was ok. The scariest thing was being thousands of feet off the ground, riding in a harness. Jumping out was abject terror, but I loved it! Got a great picture too... Thanks Chad 👍

I’m starting my AFF later this year, I’m a former Army Paratrooper with 31 static line jumps but I’ve always wanted to free fall. Looking forward to progressing up to my C license. 🤘🏼😎🍻

I enjoyed your telling us about your experiences!

Skydiving is the best experience I've had besides my kids. But with military gear is such a next level. ☝️🤙

Food trucks could always find military guys wherever they were. In the Army we referred to them as the roach coach or the gut truck.

A couple hundred is a lot. You definitely got your sky time in👏

I’m a U.S. NAVY vet and I really enjoyed watching this mate! I was stationed in NAF Atsugi Japan with VFA-102 F-18 Superhornets. Thanks brother

Intense! I’m petrified of heights.

Man what a tale! Ive been through a bad allergic reaction, it was so miserable, but to add to that, being chutted up, standing up in a stick shuffling out the door thinking "omg what am i going to do!" because i cant breathe!! Ive never felt any fear greater or more urgent than that feeling that comes over you when you realize your oxygen supply or ability to breath has been cut off, nor can I imagine any more panic inducing moment than that even being possible!!! Man I love your shared experiences that youve acquired through your years of service in the Teams! Thank you Chadd for sharing them with us!!!

I think what I remember the most was exactly what you mentioned...tunnel vision and it was extremely loud from the air whipping past my big ears. Definitely fun as hell.

Another excellent video. What a story! Skydiving Hippies training SF. Awesome!

I learned how to fly a huey outta Oaxaca, MX. I always wanted my own helicopter. At Benning, we static line jumped, quite easy, fast drop. Free falls is lots of airtime, thinkin' about chow time 🌮 I took so many hits to my head, concussions as a kid, I scared the F outta my commanders. Wasn't til I was in South Korea I first skydived. Only time I was ever afraid in the military was riding MAC back stateside, no chute. I'm very accident prone, but seeing friends getting caught up atop a chute or falling into trees is funny.

So very sorry for the loss of your be beloved friend and devoted teammate...my condolences to all of his family and friends...

I just realized you posted this on the day of my birthday and my first ever skydive jump was a birthday gift to myself 22 years ago. Haven't jumped for a while now but it is fun indeed and totally agree, you have to do it at least once in your life. Peace.

Only got 55 jumps , nerves on all of them ! Free fall is great, landing safely is better. Love your content, brightens my day . Laughing my ass off !

thoroughly enjoy hearing your experiences and how you turn a rigorous and strenuous situation into a real life memory that has meaning behind it

I've never jumped from a plane but the health issues you describe are real. In my job is see serious orthopedic injury from skydiving.

Had the pleasure of Airborne school at Ft. Benning, ‘87. Couple things stand out, the excellent cadre & thorough training regimen with all the phased devices (250 ft towers included, etc) we experienced which ensured success. The prayer, in that hallowed, stain-glass chapel before our first jump w/ the Chaplin - sobering!! As stick leader (1LT), standing in the side door for my first jump, w/ two great marines behind me, and staring out and down at the ground while the C-130 pilot made his final corrections to line us up for the DZ - it got real for me at that moment😂. Lastly, waiting for what seemed an eternity for that damn light to turn green and the jump master slapping me on the ass and yelling GO! Remember looking b/w my feet and seeing guys exiting the a/c like ants - amazing indelible picture culminating the entire experience, forever imprinted in my mind!

3 Of 7, you're the best thing on the internet.

Thanks for sharing! Love these episodes. Feels like I'm talking with good buddies. I am suprised yall did not use the Army free fall school.

Chad love the content . Stay alert.

I love the jump.......I did see a canopy tangle so main release hit reserve pull

My favorite jump school rotation was marana AZ..

Both static and free fall. Mostly hollywood jumps. Good stuff.

Anaphylaxis and skydiving seems like a bad mix. Glad you realized what was going on before you jumped!

Great experience Chadd. Eye opening too. Like the saying goes, as a pilot, why jump out of a perfectly good plane, but I'm a helicopter pilot, so it wouldn't make sense anyway.

Crazy story. Man that is the deffinition of stress! Thank you!!!

You share your experiences vividly, it is informative and entertaining.

Great story Dude....I enjoy your experiences

Thanks for your service. I’m not a military guy but my dad was. I agree with your view of skydiving. I’ve done two jumps so far. It’s certainly thrilling. I also scuba dive too.

Ive hauled jumpers in the past. One guy asked me where he was going to land? I told him to look for the boat, i told him that's if you missed it! Another guy told me to slow down so he didn't roll down the side of the plane! Told him if i slowed down more, wed fall out of the sky

Death by Sandwich, sounds like a 90s rockband. I've jumped 3 times. The last one was 17 years after the first 2. Panic set in when I got to the door. When my instructor and I jumped out, it was awesome. Still got the taste at almost 50.

Now that's a ferocious story! You had the good sense to get medical attention but the same sandwich lady, same allergic reaction, damn! Thanks for making the video.

I was deployed 2× and almost collected all 2 DD 214s

Great Job Chadd,Thank you for sharing your experience it is inspiring Brother!

Skydiving was offered on weekends for a dollar a jump when I was in the 101st. After packing my chute for the 3rd time on a hot sticky day I came within a second of releasing my chute as it wasn’t inflating. Luckily it did but I remember my heart pumping so fast thinking I was going to need my reserve

chadd i enjoy your videos serious you are my hero thank you from the bottom of my heart i did 25 in the air force reserve and three active duty field artillery army at ft hood texas

Dude- we had a NOE ride on MC130 out of Iraq and we were PACKED AF on that bird. My dude was puking in his shirt almost all of us had to choke it down to Kuwait😅😅😅

Indeed a fantastic feat you have gone through, and nobody will truly understand your heart & desire. Heart to become what your mind was set on. Only a tiny percentage of people will accomplish your experiences and only a fraction of that! So much dang heart!!

👍💪 I did one…a tandem jump out of Marana, Az. SUPER FUN! Glad to hear you made it through your medical emergency.

This is so much fun to listen to your stories!!!

I wonder if my ticker would be strong enough to take the excitement of jumping of a plane. I am truly getting a kick watching this videos and hearing your story.

When I'm watching these videos...it's like I'm sitting there with a group of people enjoying a cup of coffee listening to your experiences.

Brother, I love your videos! You are a true inspiration to me. Please keep them coming.

Thank you, good story.

We wanna see Chadd’s musical talents next 😆

Luv ya brother thank you for your service keep ‘Em coming.

I was fortunate to have my first of 2 dives being solo (not tandem) about 20 yrs ago. Had the goal to get my own chute and jump everyday. I loved it. Understandably not for everyone but I highly recommend it. I believe that it’s all tandem now if that is a consolation for the hesitant.

would love to just shake your hand and have a chat. Thanks Chadd

I feel you. You were lucky to make it to the ground. I have the allergy experience with Arugula, Celery and Lettuce. If I look at Arugula my throat and tongue start swelling. I got one on you. If I eat anything with any form of celery, my balls swell to the size of softballs. Epi-pen and Benadryl are the only hope, and they are a horrible combination. Take care.

Thank you man ! Injoy as always !

When I was active duty navy in mid 70s... I had a beard about long as Chad's. Regulations said it had to be well trimmed, and that was it! Today, I'm 70 yrs old and shave 2 to 3 times a week. Just thought I'd mention it. Go Chad!

Im glad I subscribed , love your honesty

Love hearing your stories.

Never did skydiving but of my first six plane rides, I only landed with the plane once. Army Airborne School as a 18 year old. Total of 15 jumps. Last one was 49 years ago.

I did a tandem jump, I must say that was one of the best emotional feelings that I personally expierenced. I agree, normally everyone should jump at least 1 time in their life, it´s a blast, and at the same time the emotional high is unexplainable.

Been there my brother. I would curl the nose when I packed my chute. My SF Career was ended on a Halo Jump in Eloy AZ during team certifications. I was jumping a brand new chute with 0 jumps on it on a Wall Locker Jump Turn Pull. It was the opening that did me in. It crushed my entire spine...I ended up fused 4 levels in my neck and 2 levels in my lower back. 6/14/14. Thew end.

Love it dude! Airborne

Thanks

Cheers Chad, love these stories. all the best Ian

Great story God bless

Cant do a cartwheel, cant handle a sandwich from a roach coach. It's a miracle you made it through buds

i love these stories , keep them up they are very intresting

Canopy open faced into the wind the other day, on my second tandem. Hung up there like one of those big jet airliners waiting to land.

Glad you made it safe. Did you find out what you were allergic to? Be blessed be a blessing.

Lol, transition from static line to Freefall is a fun journey . Two different worlds for sure

I love this series and always look forward to a new one.

I know I’m late to the party but I’ve enjoyed the adventure so far!

Riding a Bull vs jumping from a plane. Man I can't even think how you get the same feeling. Yahooooo

When I was 19 I quit college and ended up on a chainsaw crew on the Canadian border. Just for the hell of it, I went skydiving twice at a tiny airfield out of an old Cessna 152 with no doors and oil leaking down the side. I'm glad I did it and it was an experience, and I can confirm the culture of the regular skydivers that were there as Chadd describes them.

I invested a lot of time into climbing before I skydived. Only did it once because a fall is easy. Cool experience, though.

Love the channel! Keep up the awesome work!

Ft Lewis WA 1980 CH-47. I remember getting thumbs up on the bird, I remember landing good, had to be good I wasn’t hurt. Ha How was it? Repack and out a couple lifts later. Good stuff. Have an all the way day. 🇺🇸

Altitude weather is good 👍 guy pull up in van with 4 instructor

I guess life went full circle now your a cool hippy great video thanks man you are one cool dude.

Thanks for the video. I was on a live fire range at ft Lewis Washington. I was maneuvering through the range and was attacked by by yellow jackets the medics gave me epinephrine and benadryl, I was out it for the rest of the day.

Thanks, Chadd!

I’ve been hit with the epipen and Benadryl IV. I was too far gone into the shock to feel it though. Didn’t even know the paramedic hit me with the needle. Never felt a thing

You are *The Man*.

Hahahahahahaha. I burst out laughing at the hippie line because that's exactly what it's like. Great video 🪂it's surprising, though, that someone would get that far in the pipeline and DOR. That said, while I always enjoyed it, jumping out of a perfectly good plane is not a natural act. Screaming, "Geronimo!", out of the ass end of an aircraft ain't for everyone.

@7:58 - That's why that dude jumped out over Raleigh with damaged landing gear and without a parachute! (The pilot landed the damaged aircraft safely).

I did a tandom, first and only jump, thought i would love it as I’m a bit of an adventure seeker... I hated it. While free falling i experienced the Worst ice cream headache ive ever had, the wind stung like heck through my jump suit and then the harness somehow managed to pinch the skin on the inside of my legs near my jewels once we were under canopy. Needless to say that broke me of any desire to get jump qualed.