Military Skydiving License: how to get it in 2026

Updated on September 19, 2026 · 9 min read

The military skydiving license is a recognised qualification that certifies the ability to perform parachute jumps according to Armed Forces standards. It is a highly qualifying credential, required to operate in specialised military units and often useful for gaining extra points in public competitive exams.

Difference between a military and a civilian parachutist license

Not all skydiving licenses have the same value, especially in competitive exams or in the military field. The military skydiving license is issued exclusively by structures of the Italian Armed Forces, such as the Parachute Training Centre (CAPAR) of the Folgore Brigade, the 9th Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" or Special Units such as the GOI of the Navy. This license is identifiable by the presence of the star on the badge, the distinctive symbol of military paratroopers.

In contrast, the A.N.P.d'I. military parachutist license (National Association of Italian Paratroopers) is issued by a recognised veterans' association that works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. While not a military qualification in the strict sense, it is considered of military interest and is often recognised in competition notices, provided it is issued following jumps carried out from military aircraft and with a hemispherical canopy parachute with automatic opening via a static line.

The military path and the civilian AFF path compared

The two routes lead to different licenses: the military one starts with enlistment and trains you for static-line jumps, the civilian one starts at an ENAC-authorised school and trains you for freefall.

How to get the military skydiving license

To obtain a military skydiving license, you must enlist in the Armed Forces and pass a specific course at an authorised school, such as that of the Folgore Paratrooper Brigade. The course includes:

• Intensive physical training
• Theory and technique of airdrop
• Training jumps from military aircraft
• Psychological and tactical evaluation

The military parachutist license number is a progressive code issued at the end of the course, which is entered in the official registers and identifies the person who obtained the qualification.

What are the requirements to access the military path?

The requirements are set by the recruitment notices and change with the service, the role and the unit: the current notice is always the only valid reference.

Broadly speaking, the selection checks:

• Age and citizenship requirements stated in the notice.
• Minimum educational qualification for the role applied for.
• Psycho-physical fitness and passing the physical efficiency tests.
• Assignment to a paratrooper unit: airdrop training depends on the posting you receive, not on the application alone.

The A.N.P.d'I. course is open to people who have not enlisted, from the age of 16: there the requirements are set by the branch running the course.

The A.N.P.d'I. course and the military jump qualification

For those who are not enlisted but wish to complete the A.N.P.d'I. military skydiving course and therefore obtain a military-type qualification, it is possible to attend an A.N.P.d'I. course, which issues a qualification certificate recognised for competitive exams. The course lasts an average of two months and includes:

• Theoretical and practical lessons
• Athletic preparation
• In-depth study of jump materials and techniques
• Three airdrops with hemispherical canopy parachutes (static line)

The license issued at the end of this course does not have the star on the badge and is formally a civilian license of military interest, but it can still be considered valid in Armed Forces competitions, as indicated in the official notices.

An important development came in September 2024, when the Council of State legitimised the use of the hemispherical parachute even from civil aircraft, provided it is used in activities of military interest, effectively authorising A.N.P.d'I. courses to have full validity in this context.

What kind of jumps do you make on the military path?

On the military path you make static-line jumps: the canopy is hemispherical and opens automatically thanks to a line attached to the aircraft. There is no freefall, and the jumper is not the one who triggers the opening.

It is a difference of purpose rather than level, and everything else follows from it:

• Altitude: on an airdrop it is whatever the mission requires, normally far lower than the 4,200 metres of a sport jump (what altitude you jump from).
• Opening: automatic via static line in the military, triggered by the student from the first AFF jump.
• Canopy: a hemispherical canopy that comes straight down, against a gliding sport canopy you fly to landing.

The value of the license in public competitive exams

In numerous competitions for Initial Term Volunteers (VFI), Carabinieri, Air Force, Army or Navy, the score of the skydiving license in public competitions (military or civilian) can be worth up to 1 additional point. However, it cannot be combined with other licenses of the same level.

For this reason, it is essential to read every notice carefully: some recognise only the military license issued by official bodies (such as CAPAR), while others also accept the one obtained through A.N.P.d'I., provided it is issued in a regulated context.

Furthermore, the military parachutist license number may be requested during registration or during qualification verification, so it is important to keep it together with the documentation issued at the end of the course.

Military or civilian parachutist license: which should you choose?

In short: the military license if you are aiming at a career in the Armed Forces or at extra points in public exams, the AFF course if what you want is freefall.

The difference between a civilian and a military skydiving license depends on your goals:

• If you want to pursue a career in the Armed Forces, the official military license is essential.
• If instead you want to obtain a qualification useful for competitive exams without enlisting, the A.N.P.d'I. course is a valid alternative, also open to civilians aged 16 and over (with parental authorisation, if minors).
• For those who wish to continue with freefall (TCL), a further dedicated course will be necessary, such as the AFF course, since the basic license only covers the use of the hemispherical canopy parachute with automatic opening.

What you do not need in order to start jumping as a civilian

To start as a civilian you need neither a military license nor previous experience: the minimum age and medical fitness are enough.

• You do not need to be enlisted, nor to have done military service.
• You do not need a previous license: you start from scratch.
• You do not need equipment: parachute, harness, altimeter and helmet are provided by the school.
• You do not need special athletic training: good health and following instructions are what count.
• There is no upper age limit: the only limit is the minimum one, 16 years old.

If you are a civilian and want to fly, the route is the AFF course

If your goal is freefall, the route is the AFF course: you learn to exit the aircraft, stay stable, open on your own and fly the canopy, with instructors beside you from your first jump at 4,200 metres.

It is explained level by level in the 7 levels of the AFF course, while the steps up to the license are covered in how to get your skydiving license.

The military skydiving license represents a prestigious qualification, useful both for a military career and for gaining higher scores in public competitions. Whether it is a military or civilian parachutist license, the important thing is to understand the differences between the qualifications, the required prerequisites, and the value each certificate can have depending on your goals.

To get the most out of this qualification, contact your local A.N.P.d'I. branch or consult the Armed Forces' official notices: only then can you make an informed choice about the path best suited to you. If instead you dream of sport freefall, contact us to discover our courses.

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