U.S. Army Golden Knights Selection And Assessment Begins
Sixteen individuals hoping for a spot on the U. S. Army's
official parachute team have begun the rigorous assessment and
selection process to determine if they'll earn the right to wear
the official Golden Knights patch. This year, two women and
fourteen men will test their mettle and high-altitude "hooah"
during a six-week assessment and selection program. Those who
successfully complete the program will be "knighted" in a special
ceremony.
U.S. Army Photo
To be selected, soldiers must be on active-duty status,
have completed 100 free-fall parachute jumps and have an exemplary
good military and civilian record.
The U.S. Army Parachute Team originally began as the Strategic Army
Command Parachute Team, or STRAC, in 1959. Two years later the team
was officially recognized and sanctioned as the United States Army
Parachute Team. In 1962, they adopted the nickname "The Golden
Knights." Serving under the United States Army Accessions Command
and The United States Army Accessions Support Brigade, the Golden
Knights are based at Fort Bragg, NC.
For 50 years the Golden Knights have been wowing audiences at
air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandem
jumps. Two demonstration teams travel all over the country
performing aerial demonstrations at air shows and special events in
support of Army recruiting goals. The two competition teams travel,
competing nationally and internationally at various skydiving
competitions, continuously bringing home gold, silver and bronze
medals. According to their official Web site, they are the most
successful U.S. Department of Defense sports team.
(L-R) Sgt. First Class Greg Windmiller, Staff Sgt. Derrick
Coleman, Sgt. First Class Tom Bovee, and Capt. Michael
Funderburk
The Tandem Team focuses on bringing the public closer to the
Army experience as well as the sport of skydiving. "The Tandem Team
enables the Army to reach out to influential citizens and give them
a taste of the professionalism, leadership and teamwork that is
involved in giving them a tandem," said Lt. Colonel Joe Martin,
U.S. Army Parachute Team, "Golden Knights."
The Golden Knights not only perform at air shows, compete on an
international level and perform high profile tandems they also
visit high schools and work with local recruiters showing young
adults what type of opportunities the Army has for them.
The Golden Knights have performed more than 15,000 shows in all
50 states and 48 countries.