Funny minor mishap back when. I was G2G scholarship back in the 80s, the "Army of Excellence" era. I couldn't participate in the SMP program b/c of scholarship rules/status at the time, but I was able to get orders to jump with a local LRS company. For being the guard, this unit was pretty high-speed; they had recently deployed to the UK to train with SAS. I knew some other cadets who SMP'd with the unit and thought it would be a good way to keep my jump status. Jumping took two back-to-back drills, the first-weekend drill being admin and pre-jump training, with actual jumps the following weekend. Next Friday came, more pre-jump readiness, with two jumps scheduled the next day. Saturday morning, weather was perfect and we're geared up sitting on benches on the tarmac. I'm third man in the fourth stick of our chalk. It's a small DZ, so we're doing four passes. Next to me is Sgt Wolf, an ancient E5 who served in Vietnam and had the requisite 1,00-yard stare. He leans over and says to the guy next to me "hey man, too bad I dreamt this wasn't the jump for you" and proceeds to howl, because, well he's Sgt Wolf. The 1SG is jumpmaster, and CO is stick/chalk commander. In the air, I'm sitting back to the bird looking across the fuselage at the 1SG. After being in flight for 20 minutes or so, on command, 1st stick stands, hooks up, checks static line, equipment, etc. So now, CO is waiting for 1SG to give him "stand-in-the-door".

So I've got a prime view of what happens next. 1SG is leaning out, checking the door, leans in, looks at the red light, turns to face the CO, then turns back toward the door. CO stutter-steps forward two paces into 1SG, who, startled, steps sideways away from the door. CO takes another step and starts to turn. 1SG starts to reach for the CO, thinks better of it and pulls his hands/arms back in the "that's hot not touching it" position. CO realizes he's too soon, tries to stop, but it's too late, b/c at the same time, the stick is moving and it isn't stopping, and out the door went the CO, followed by 10 to 12 jumpers.

I was from the area, so I was part of the team that spent the rest of Saturday driving around SE [State] picking up the errant jumpers, including a very quiet CO. Other than the CO's ego, no one was seriously hurt, but they weren't within a few miles of the DZ, either. The CO landed in a small stream, a few soldiers landed in plowed fields, a couple in a small neighborhood, and one guy impressively on a little league diamond (we were jumping -10's, not much for steering). I was expecting a smoke session when we got back to the armory - for gp if nothing else - but we got nothing - it was just quiet w/random snickers now and then. Had an AAR the next morning, with a make-up jump TBD, then we were released.

Never did pursue another opportunity to jump with them again.