Golden Knights show civilian leaders the Army way

STAFFORD, Va. (Oct. 14, 2014) -- "Jumping out of plane at 13,000 feet with the U.S. Army; I jumped at the chance," said acting United States Park Police Chief Robert MacLean, one of a hand full of National Capital Region commercial and government leaders that participated in what most would agree is the Army's most exhilarating community outreach program; a tandem parachute jump with the Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights' mission is part of the U.S. Army's recruiting and public relations efforts and the jump over the Stafford Regional Airport in Virginia was a part of that mission. The team conducts parachute demonstrations, tandems and competes nationally and internationally in order to create a greater propensity to serve in the Army by helping connect America's people with America's Army.

"Doing this with such elite Soldiers really gives a person a different perspective on what the Army is all about," said Stuart L. Solomon, Chairman of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. "It was easy to put my life in the hands of these Soldiers, as a Nation, we do this every day."

Over the last 53 years, the United States Army Parachute Team has created hundreds of millions of positive impressions for the Army by conducting over 16,000 shows in 50 states and 48 countries, reaching an average of 60,000 people per show, averaging over 30 million impressions annually. The Team conducts over 850 tandems each year and has jumped with distinguished