My Army Experience

Words simply cannot describe my experience on Sunday, January 6, 2013.  I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane from 12000 feet above the ground.   "Why" you ask?  Because I had the opportunity!



My adventure began weeks ago when LTC Michael Smith of the UH Army ROTC program emailed me with an invitation for someone to represent the University of Houston in San Antonio in January, and as part of the weekend adventure, that "someone" would be jumping tandem with the elite US Army Parachute Team - The Golden Knights.  



I accepted the offer in less than 2 seconds!  The team took us through a very informative training (knowing that we wouldn't remember a thing once our toes hit the open door of the plane), showed us how the parachute was carefully inspected and packed, and handed us our flight suits, helmet, goggles and gloves and sent us to go "suit up".  Next we stepped into a giant harness that would be connected to our army expert (tandem instructor).



The Golden Knights team treated us like family, made jokes to calm any fears, and reassured us that we were about to embark on an amazing adventure.



We climbed aboard the distinctively painted C-31 and prepared for takeoff.  As we climbed to the jumping altitude, my tandem hero, SSG Jon Ewald, talked me through the steps we were about to take.  He connected us together with various gadgets, checked and double checked the connections,  and kept reminding me to smile.  I am certain that the reason I never felt any fear was because of the confidence and caring personalities of this entire team.



When the side door of the plane opened, I knew it was almost time.  I was so excited about what I was about to experience, yet I had a peacefulness and calmness over my entire being.  I knew I was in good hands.  I put my toes on the edge of the plane where the door used to be and Jon said, "ready, set, go" and out we were....free falling at about 120 miles per hour for somewhere around 7000 wonderful feet.  AMAZING doesn't begin to describe it.  I saw the videographer zooming around me - first to my right, then to my left, then he was underneath us....it is absolutely unbelievable how they can control their flight during free fall.  As I took in the breathtaking majestic view of the earth from a new perspective, I said thank you to God for everything He had made possible for me on this day!



At close to 5000 feet the parachute was deployed and we took a sudden jolt that took my breath for just a moment, and then as quick as a snap we were smoothly coasting slowly toward the ground.  It was at that moment that I was overwhelmed in the most positive of ways by the beauty and power of this experience!  



We landed smoothly on our feet thanks again to the expertise of SSG Ewald and the first thought in my head was "I'm ready to do this again!"  

 

My sincere  gratitude goes out to the men and women of the US Armed Forces for your patriotism, bravery, sacrifice and protection!  And thank you to the Golden Knights for a memory that will stay with me for all eternity!

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“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”  - Elmer Davis