Blood wings
Encyclopedia
Blood wings is a traditional initiation rite that is endured by many graduates of the United States Army Airborne School
and sometimes practiced in other elite military training environments, including the Army Aviation and Aviation Logistics community. It is called blood pinning in the United States Marine Corps
. Although it is rare, some Air Force Academy
cadets receive their upper-class Prop and Wings
insignia via the blood wings tradition.
Upon receiving the Parachutist Badge
, an instructor or comrade of the graduate places the pins of the badge pointing into the chest of the graduate. The badge is then slammed against the graduate's chest, resulting in the pins being driven into the flesh. If the graduation is affiliated with a particular unit number (unit 15, for example), then the pin will often be pounded deeper into the muscle the same number of times (15 times in this case).
The origins of this tradition are unknown, but most likely date back to World War II
paratrooper training. This practice is fairly secretive and sparked controversy recently when knowledge of it reached the public, which is often critical about painful forms of hazing
. Blood wings are against Armed Forces Policy and are prohibited. Recipients of blood wings consider it a highly honorable rite of passage.
The offer of blood wings is usually presented by a superior to an elite soldier who has reached a significant career transition point. The superior would probably have had the same honor at his own graduation in the past. The risky offer of blood wings to a transitioning soldier is considered an honor, but the graduate nearly always has the option to reject the offer.
United States Army Airborne School
The United States Army Airborne School — widely known as Jump School — conducts the basic paratrooper training for the United States armed forces. It is operated by the 1st Battalion , 507th Infantry, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia...
and sometimes practiced in other elite military training environments, including the Army Aviation and Aviation Logistics community. It is called blood pinning in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. Although it is rare, some Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
cadets receive their upper-class Prop and Wings
Prop and Wings
The Prop and Wings is a military insignia used to identify various aviation-related units in the United States military. The Prop and Wings originated as branch insignia of the United States Army Air Service in 1920, and remained such from 1926 to 1947 for the successor United States Army Air Corps...
insignia via the blood wings tradition.
Upon receiving the Parachutist Badge
Parachutist Badge (United States)
The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy...
, an instructor or comrade of the graduate places the pins of the badge pointing into the chest of the graduate. The badge is then slammed against the graduate's chest, resulting in the pins being driven into the flesh. If the graduation is affiliated with a particular unit number (unit 15, for example), then the pin will often be pounded deeper into the muscle the same number of times (15 times in this case).
The origins of this tradition are unknown, but most likely date back to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
paratrooper training. This practice is fairly secretive and sparked controversy recently when knowledge of it reached the public, which is often critical about painful forms of hazing
Hazing
Hazing is a term used to describe various ritual and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group....
. Blood wings are against Armed Forces Policy and are prohibited. Recipients of blood wings consider it a highly honorable rite of passage.
The offer of blood wings is usually presented by a superior to an elite soldier who has reached a significant career transition point. The superior would probably have had the same honor at his own graduation in the past. The risky offer of blood wings to a transitioning soldier is considered an honor, but the graduate nearly always has the option to reject the offer.