Mr Tim.
When your in your C-130, do you still do the Band Of Brothers "STAND UP! Check Equipment!" etc etc etc?
I can answer that for you....for british paratroopers it's still exactly the same today.....
'Stand up, fit Equipment'
[PJI instruction to fit bergen/container to hooks and attach reserve chute]
'Prepare for equipment check'
[PJI checks container/weapon, routing of rope, main chute, reserve chute and helmet]
'Tell off for equipment check'
[Troopers call their stick number out with 'OK' and pat the person's shoulder in front - yanks used to smack the blokes arse in front, probably still do!]
5 ok
4 ok
3 ok
2 ok
1 ok - Port/Starboard stick ok
[Number 1 in the door tells PJI he is OK, calls the port or starboard stick as OK and gives a thumbs up]
[Loadmaster gives 5/10 minute warning and further warning for final run]
PJI's open para door, prepare step and confirm wind deflectors have deployed
PJI's call troopers to door when 2-3 minutes out.....
Red on {all troopers shout red-on to give warning to entire stick]
Green on [PJI's shout and clear strops on each jump]
....Go..2, 3, 4, 5.......
[PJI's shout half-second timing to ensure no colliding in slip-stream at rear of airframe from both para-doors]
Troopers breathe sigh of relief when out of sweaty aircraft having being stood up from anything from 10-40 minutes with 150lb of kit dangling off their tits. Look up, check canopy, steer into clear air-space and carry out drills before screaming into the floor about 25knotts and not being able to carry out para roll that they spent weeks perfecting!!