Virginia Guard’s 183rd RTI trains new rappel masters – Sept. 25, 2012

Virginia Guard rappel masters from the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute teach Soldiers from around the country the essential components of Rappel Master Personnel Inspection Sept. 25 during the U.S. Army’s five-day Rappel Master Course at the RTI. RMPI requires rappel master students to inspect three rappellers, one without combat equipment, one with a load-bearing vest and a weapon in semi-combat mode, and one in combat mode with the addition of a rucksack, all within three minutes and thirty seconds while identifying all major and all but two minor deficiencies. The course began Sept. 24 and concludes Sept. 28 with the Aircraft Command and Control Test. During the course, Soldiers hoping to become rappel masters learn how tie and utilize common knots used in rappelling operations, how to inspect, rig and maintain rappelling equipment, how to inspect rappel seats of rappellers, aircraft command and control during rappelling operations as well as hand and arm signals and hook-up procedures.