Republic of Cuba ? About Cuban Parachutist Badges

[Guest Rick Research]

these just... dropped in... today

What I wonder is: are these ACTUALLY in the Soviet flying badges classification structure--

lowest = Unrated, THEN 3rd Class, THEN 2nd Class, and then 1st Class orrrrrrrrrr

are these for first, second, third REPEATS of qualification?

So far, we have not seen any with dangly Soviet-style pendants for actual number of JUMPS. Without such pendants, I can only suppose that these Cuban badges are NOT for number of jumps... or there would be many many more numbers than we see.

[David S]

Interesting

Most likely a combination of things like the US Para badges-

Time on consecutive jump status . . .12, 24, 36, 48 months

Different types of jumps . . . training, night, with combat equipment

Number of jumps would be more depending on level of badge

Jumpmaster status probably for the higher awards

[Paul R]

Interesting

Most likely a combination of things like the US Para badges-

Time on consecutive jump status . . .12, 24, 36, 48 months

Different types of jumps . . . training, night, with combat equipment

Number of jumps would be more depending on level of badge

Jumpmaster status probably for the higher awards

Nice!!!!

[Taz]

600 Jump Cuban Para badge "Tercera" Class. Seems to be of a lesser quality than the normal ones made in the USSR. maybe the number of jumps does not have a part to play in which class is awarded after all.

[Guest Rick Research]

Ah, that would imply 1st LOWEST, 2nd HIGHER, 3rd HIGHEST...

I can't imagine a "worst rated" after 600 jumps!!!

[Taz]

Yes that seems an extremly high jump count for what is in effect the 3rd class.

Primera ?

Segunda ? - ?

Tercera 500 - (600+)

Unclassed 1-500

I would think that after 500 reached, the jump count for the next class of badge would go down, it has to be at least over 100 more jumps though if the count has anything at all to do with the class awarded.

I don't really doubt that the Primera Badge is the highest known class at the moment, the 600 jumps would put the 1st class at about 1500 jumps!

Some of the critara David wrote seem to be an important factor in which class the para has, maybe the Cuban para just hasn't taken extra exams or tests. Below are the award critaria for the Soviet Paras as a comparision.

Paratroop Badge - After the first jump

Best or Excellent Paratrooper - After 18 jumps and additional tests

Paratroop Instructor - After 50 jumps and additional Instructor exams/tests.

Regards Eddie.

[pride]

My complete set:

[pride]

[pride]

Too dark, sorry.

[pride]

On 18/08/2007 at 20:24, Taz said:

600 Jump Cuban Para badge "Tercera" Class. Seems to be of a lesser quality than the normal ones made in the USSR. maybe the number of jumps does not have a part to play in which class is awarded after all.

 

I've asked to a cuban friend of mine, ex Sub Oficial Paratrooper and Avispas Negras. He confirm that this type of badge are 100% genuine. His answer: "Estas insignias son las que usaban en la antigua
brigada de desembarco aéreo (BDA), y se fabricaban en la antigua URSS para
nuestras tropas, ya después se comenzaron a hacer aquí mismo y los números
significaban la categoría del paracaidista, por ejemplo:

M: Categoría de Maestro paracaidista o Master

1: Paracaidista de primera

2; Paracaidista de segunda

3; Paracaidista de tercera

Y la sin numero es la que le entregan a los soldados cuando realizaban su
primer salto"