We reported that day, recruits; brash and raw,
With eyes agog at what we saw.
Lofty towers, nightmares of webbing and steel,
Ranks of instructors, who's wrath we would feel.

But we learned, slow and sure,
That for every mistake, there was a cure.
We were treated worse than dogs, and then
We were told to brace up, to act like men.

PT and drill, sweating under the hot summer sun
Little did we know, our torture had just begun.
Day after day, we swore we'd quit, we'd drop, we'd die,

But something gave us strength for just one more try.

Push ups we mastered, with vigor and vim,
We did a thousand at an instructors whim.
We'd try on our chutes for a practice rig
Then come, "drop soldier, that's a gig."

Finally one day, with breaths abated,
We heard the news, long awaited.
Remember what you were taught, without it you're
sunk.
Monday morning you're going to jump.

Somehow our new found courage faded away
When we awaken that fatal day.
No one was boisterous or jolly as before,
Countenances were grim and sour.

We arrived at the flight line, timid and shy,
Feeling we might not make it, but we surely would
try.
Then before we had a chance to lose our nerve,
We were strapped into a T-ten and reserve.

Then towards the plane, we filed down the ramp
Walking with leaden feet, and foreheads damp.
Before a few more minutes went by,
We were strapped in and ready to fly.

The engines began to rev, the wheels began to roll
And we devoted our thoughts to the status of our
souls.
We started remembering every tiny sin,
Feeling glum, but still trying to grin.

Then we were off, the terrain grew small
And again we devoted our thoughts to the status
of our souls.
Would it open? We really didn't know.
And if it didn't, where would we go?

The command "get ready" we heard loud and clear,
Stand up and hook up, tight and secure.
Check your equipment and let it be known,
That you've checked your buddy's as well as your
own.

The check points we've passed, the DZs below,
The green light is on and out we go.
We try to count, but only a gasp
Was torn from our throats, in a tortured rasp.

Soon a sharp tug and then a soft plop
Told all was well on our first drop.
We had lost our fear which was all about,
We'd do it again without a doubt.

What separates them from the rest
These men with silver wings
Troopers from the sky above
In whom devotion springs
What spirit so unites them
In brotherhood they say
Their answer loud and clear,
"Airborne All The Way"

These are the men of danger
As in open door they stand
With static line above them
And ripcord in their hand
While earthbound they are falling
A silent prayer they say
"Lord be with us forever,
Airborne All The Way"