Senior Airman jumps 'blue to green'

Published Dec. 12, 2007
By Trisha Schmalz
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- In the new year Charleston AFB will send one of its own to the Army as the first Airman ever to become a member of the U.S. Army's Parachute Team, the Golden Knights.

Senior Airman Michael LaRoche, an aircraft electrical and environmental systems maintainer with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, will make a permanent change of station to Fort Bragg, N.C., where he will spend the next four years as a member of the Golden Knights Aerial Demonstration Team.

In September, Airman LaRoche attended the eight-week U.S. Army Parachute Team Assessment and Selection at Fort Bragg.

"Out of the 12 candidates who began the course, I was one of four selected to join the parachute team," Airman LaRoche said. "It means a lot to be the first Airman ever to join the team. I saw this as an opportunity to try out for what I would consider to be my dream job, and knowing that I might be the first Airman to make it motivated me even more."

The U.S. Army Parachute Team Assessment and Selection is an intense eight-week program where the candidates are put to the ultimate test.

"Every day we jumped six to eight jumps," said Airman LaRoche. "You are not evaluated on just your skydiving and parachuting skills, but also on how you work with a team and your personality."

After being selected to become a member of the Golden Knights, Airman LaRoche had a career-changing decision to make.

"I knew going into the program that I would be crossing into the Army if I was selected," he said.

Airman LaRoche will transfer into the Army via the current Blue to Green program, which allows eligible active-duty members to cross over into the Army where they can either remain in their current career field or retrain; the decision is theirs.

The Black and Gold Demonstration Teams spend more than 250 days each year on the road canvassing the country performing at air shows and sporting events for more than 14 million spectators according to the U.S. Army Golden Knights.

Airman LaRoche first became interested in the Golden Knights in 2006 when he attended a four-day inter-service event where he was able to meet the Golden Knights and had the opportunity to go skydiving with the team.

"During the inter-service event, I learned I didn't have to be in the Army to try out for the team," said Airman LaRoche.

This prompted Airman LaRoche to begin the application process with the approval of his commander.

"I was fortunate to have the support of my chain of command and co-workers here at Charleston," said Airman LaRoche. "I couldn't have made it without their help, for which I am very grateful."

Assessment and Selection Program requirements are:

· Must be an enlisted member
· Must have a minimum of 150 freefall parachute jumps
· Be willing to attend Army Airborne School
· Have a flawless military and civilian record

Air Force members interested in applying for the Golden Knights Assessment and Selection Program can visit the Golden Knights Web site at ww.armygoldenknights.com.