Within the ranks of the US Army, the awards PFC Mace Veit received for graduating these prestigious schools are called "Scare Badges."

One of my comrades broke her ankle during her first jump at Airborne School and another broke his foot on his fourth jump. Unfortunately, both never earned their one "Scare Badge," the silver-toned US Army Basic Parachutist Badge.

I was fortunate enough to graduate Jump School and earn my wings as a "five-jump chump." But years after I retired, I am still waiting for my promised orders to attend US Army Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, KY.