Recommendation:
Army Regulations require that Parachute Riggers maintain currency and are on Jump status--for which they receive monthly Hazardous Duty Pay--and can act as Malfunctions NCOs during Airborne Operations. It is a long-standing requirement that a Command can have a Rigger jump a parachute that they packed to ensure the Rigger’s confidence in their rigging process and overall safety. Personnel on Jump Status must maintain currency--requiring 4 parachute jumps per year. By Army policy, Active Duty Riggers receive Hazardous Duty pay and are on Jump Status. The AGR’s assigned to the 338th receive the Hazardous Duty pay and are on Jump Status. However, the 6 Dual Status Techs do not receive Hazardous Duty pay and are not on Jump Status. This is not consistent with the Active Duty Rigger mission. Additionally--when external customers utilize the 338th Aerial Delivery Company’s parachutes-- one of its Riggers must travel with these systems to act as a Malfunctions NCO. In order to act as a Malfunctions NCO, the person must be current and on Jump Status--requiring the unit to place the Dual Status Tech on Year Around Annual Training (YAAT), ADOS, or Split Training status. Dual Status Techs do not receive Hazardous Duty Pay--and are not considered to be on Jump Status when they are packing parachutes Monday – Friday. This is contrary to how active duty riggers on jump status, who receive hazardous duty pay and can conduct duties as a Malfunctions team or Drop Zone Safety Officer for airborne operations. When on IDT, AT or ADOS orders the Dual Status Tech do receive Hazardous Duty Pay and are on Jump Status. Hazardous duty pay is prorated for IDT. Further, the Army has numerous DA Civilians on Jump Status at locations like Natick for RDT&E purposes so there is a procedure to allow for these Dual Status Tech to be placed on Jump Status. However, it is policy that National Guard Dual Status Techs—affecting not only Indiana but all National Guard Aerial Delivery Units (Texas, Georgia, etc.)—do not receive Riggers Hazardous Duty Pay nor are they allowed to be on Jump Status while they are doing the exact same job that Riggers on Title 10 are allowed to do. RECOMMENDATION: Make the Dual Status Technician Rigger policy consistent with Active Duty Riggers.