any former Airborne / Paratroopers? is this device used for hooking up before a jump?

May 14, 1980 more than 150 female Paratroopers of the 82nd

Airborne School: What It's Really Like Learning to Jump > U.S.

What's the deal with this? : r/army

Army Airborne School replaces J-1 training parachute after testing

Air Force, Army planners find ways to see greater jump in airdrops

Airborne School: What It's Really Like Learning to Jump > U.S.

What Army Paratroopers Go Through At Airborne School

Airmen make it rain Soldiers in Predictable Iron > 446th Airlift

Spartans jump into Big Lake to practice water landings > Joint

Mass tactical hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy