Narrative Essay On Jump Day

Atheist do not exist I joined the military in November of 1986. During airborne training was my first experience of a self proclaimed atheist having doubts about God's existence. 60 soldiers had gone through three weeks of intense training. The cadre had everyone run at least four miles every day in formation, anyone not completing the run was sent home. One whole week was dedicated to learning the proper way to fall/land. An airplane shell is used for training. Jumpers learn how to sit, stand and shuffle to the jump door while safely on the ground. Soldiers jump from the door, six inches off the ground, and perform a PLF (parachute landing fall). After satisfactory performance in the mock airplane soldiers move to the jump towers. Before 'jump

The soldier that is about to jump gets a second harness check by a certified 'jump master'. The command "stand in the door" is then given and the jumper moves to the edge of the platform with his toes over the edge. The jumper hears "Go" and feels a slap on the buttocks. The jumper jumps six inches high and thirty inches out from the door. Another soldier has just completed phase two, the 30 foot jump tower. Jump week has finally arrived. Five jumps, 2 jumps at night, need to be made before a person graduates from Airborne school. Everyone is double checking their parachute and 'ruck-sack'. A 'ruck-sack' is similar to a civilian back pack but it can hold 60 pounds of gear. When everyone is ready to board the plane the fear and excitement can be felt in the air. At 3000 feet in the air and flying to our 'drop zone', you can see people turning pale and some soldiers have to use their barf bags. The soldier next to me waits for me to finish my prayer then says "Sheldon, add me to your prayer, OK?". The soldier next to him said "I am an atheist but just in case there is a God, will you add me too? Thanks". All of us completed our jumps and