Spartan first sergeant earns coveted Master Parachutist badge

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - After 18 years of service and multiple combat deployments, a company first sergeant earned the coveted master parachutist badge, the highest-level airborne skills award here, March 6, 2016.

The master parachutist badge is awarded to jumpmasters who've proven themselves as experienced airborne troopers through their demonstration of exemplary skills and leadership.

The badge is awarded to a jumpmaster who has conducted 65 jumps from an aircraft and served on jump status for a minimum of 36 months.

The coveted title of "Jumpmaster," describes an individual who manages and leads combat-equipped paratroopers on missions involving both training and actual combat operations. Paratroopers who complete airborne jumps into combat zones can wear the appropriate-level combat jump device.

Today, 1st Sgt. Herbert Gill, a native of Pulaski, Tenn., a jumpmaster and company first sergeant for U.S. Army Alaska's Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division earned that rare title of "master ready jumpmaster" after exiting a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flown by Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment "Sugar Bears," onto Malemute Drop Zone.

"Today was my 65th jump from a CH-47," said Gill. "I was able to get my master wings. So now I'm a master ready jumpmaster."

The newly-pinned jumpmaster said that with this new moniker come many more challenges.

"Every 180 days I have to make sure I'm pulling duties," said the Tennessee native. "Touching static lines and getting out there."

"I have to constantly open the manuals and see what's changing and what's not changing," added Gill. "Check on your [Jumpmaster Personnel Inspection] (JMPI) sequence because you know if you don't use it you lose it."

Batavia, Ill. native, Capt. William Longwell, commander of the Spartan Brigade's Headquarters Company praised Gill for such an incredible accomplishment.

"He's a great NCO and a great leader within this organization," said Longwell. "He achieved something that not that many people are able to achieve on a regular basis."

"To be able to watch him do that; JMPI people and being that true airborne leader was pretty neat to watch today."

For Gill, the ability to stay on jump status wasn't always there as the needs of the Army had to be met.

"I've been on jump status since 1996," said Gill. "I had a break in jumping for about nine years and just fought to get back to it. I just love it."

While Gill has been on jump status for some time now, his experience with airborne goes back to Fort Bragg, N.C. and his father serving as a paratrooper there, where he first became mesmerized with being airborne.

"I've been watching jumping since I was probably two or three-years-old," said Gill. "I remember there on Sicily Drop Zone with my father."

"It's just been something I've always wanted to do and always love doing," said the master ready jumpmaster.

Gill also had some words of encouragement for those Soldiers who are thinking about becoming jumpmasters and those who are striving to get to the master parachutist level.

"Just go do it," said Gill. "Get into school whether it's Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, or one of the [Military Training Teams] that come up here."

"Quit playing around with the idea and just go do it."

After nearly 20 years of continued service Gill still feels he has more to offer the Army and especially the Soldiers.

"There's still stuff that I have to do," said the company first sergeant. "I still got to stick around, help Soldiers out. I'm not done yet. There's still a lot I can give to the military."

As a testament to his commitment and the faith the Army has in his leadership, Gill will be moving on to the next phase in his career as he prepares to attend the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas this September.