[Trevor]

You should look into the Advisor
http://www.suuntowatches.com/advizor.htm

An altimeter would be the best function for a paratrooper.

The Altimeter features:
Current altitude: range up to 29,500 ft / 9,000m - resolution 10ft / 5m
Ascent/descent rate in ft/min or m/min
Difference measurement function allows zeroing of the altimeter for following vertical progress between stages
Automatic 24-hour memory stores altitude and ascent/descent rate for every hour
Logbook stores total ascent/descent, average ascent/descent rate, number of runs skied, duration of log

A compass would easily come in when falling to the earth.

Hope this helps

	Suunto Advizor - Click for more info The Suunto Advizor - featuring a Heart Rate Monitor using Suunto's proprietary HR technology - simultaneously shows your heart rate, altitude, and vertical ascent/descent data. The Advizor memory stores your total training time and your maximum, minimum and average heart rate during training - plus your time spent in / above / below your pre-set target heart rate. There's even an audible alarm to alert the user when your upper or lower heart rate limits have been exceeded.

	Compass Compasses are sensitive, absolutely crucial instruments to precision navigation. The earth's magnetic field, inclination, and your longitude and latitude all influence the horizontal plane of a compass needle. As a result, compasses are balanced for different geographical zones. Suunto Compasses overcome this limitation to traditional compasses by using a simple 'Two Zone System'. With a Suunto Compass, the only 'balancing zones' are the northern and southern hemispheres. In addition to this innovation, certain Suunto Compasses come equipped with useful features like luminous needles and marks, centimeter/inch scales, magnifying glasses, clinometers, sighting notches, and more.