Golden Knights’ cycle helps Miami Battalion soar
By Donna Dixon, U.S. Army Parachute Team Media Relations
March 20, 2014
Miami Battalion maximized opportunities with the Golden Knights as the team descended into their winter home at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Fla., for its annual certification cycle.
The U.S. Army Parachute Team’s presence in the Miami Battalion area opened doors for recruiters to build relationships with their COIs. Ambassadors for the Army, the Knights supported recruiting efforts at job fairs, numerous high school events, and sporting events.
The USAPT was a valuable recruiting tool in Miami Battalion’s bilingual target market. Several of the parachute team Soldiers conducted bilingual interviews with Spanish-language broadcasters, Univision, and Telemundo.
One of the most impressive recruiting tools in the Golden Knights arsenal is the Tandem Team, led by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Jones.
“The tandem team enables the U.S. Army to reach out to influential citizens and Soldiers giving them a taste of the professionalism, leadership and teamwork that encompasses them receiving a tandem parachute jump,” said Jones. “This will hopefully result in a positive impression of the Army and encourage them to tell young citizens about the many opportunities available to them.”
Among the 180 tandem jumpers were local celebrities like the NBA Miami Heat’s mascot “Burnie,” who became a YouTube favorite. Media personalities including David Goodhue, an Upper Keys Florida Reporter; Haley Hinds with WINK-TV; Angela Alvarez from Univision 23; and Joyce Kaufman-Delaney of 850 WFTL, all have stories of a lifetime to share with their readers and viewers.
The COIs who impact recruiting long-term, however, are the school superintendents, principals, counselors, law enforcement officials and firefighters.
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph C. Hawkins knows first-hand the opportunities the Tandem Team provides to the recruiting center level.
“The Golden Knights may only be here for 60 days, but their contribution is an advantage throughout the year,” said the Perrine Center NCO. “They provide an invaluable service to the local Army Recruiting community by offering tandem jump opportunities to local school officials, COIs and VIPs. It gives us, the local Recruiting NCOs, an opportunity to give back to our schools and thank our local supporters.”
When the U.S. Army Parachute Team dons its distinguished flight suits and maroon berets to accompany recruiters into a stadium, a school auditorium, room or special event, heads turn, people begin to stare and some even stop dead in their tracks. Most do not realize that together, the Golden Knights represent an image of what the U.S. Army is – “The Epitome of Elite Soldiers” throughout the world.
By Donna Dixon, U.S. Army Parachute Team Media Relations
March 20, 2014
Miami Battalion maximized opportunities with the Golden Knights as the team descended into their winter home at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Fla., for its annual certification cycle.
The U.S. Army Parachute Team’s presence in the Miami Battalion area opened doors for recruiters to build relationships with their COIs. Ambassadors for the Army, the Knights supported recruiting efforts at job fairs, numerous high school events, and sporting events.
The USAPT was a valuable recruiting tool in Miami Battalion’s bilingual target market. Several of the parachute team Soldiers conducted bilingual interviews with Spanish-language broadcasters, Univision, and Telemundo.
One of the most impressive recruiting tools in the Golden Knights arsenal is the Tandem Team, led by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Jones.
“The tandem team enables the U.S. Army to reach out to influential citizens and Soldiers giving them a taste of the professionalism, leadership and teamwork that encompasses them receiving a tandem parachute jump,” said Jones. “This will hopefully result in a positive impression of the Army and encourage them to tell young citizens about the many opportunities available to them.”
Among the 180 tandem jumpers were local celebrities like the NBA Miami Heat’s mascot “Burnie,” who became a YouTube favorite. Media personalities including David Goodhue, an Upper Keys Florida Reporter; Haley Hinds with WINK-TV; Angela Alvarez from Univision 23; and Joyce Kaufman-Delaney of 850 WFTL, all have stories of a lifetime to share with their readers and viewers.
The COIs who impact recruiting long-term, however, are the school superintendents, principals, counselors, law enforcement officials and firefighters.
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph C. Hawkins knows first-hand the opportunities the Tandem Team provides to the recruiting center level.
“The Golden Knights may only be here for 60 days, but their contribution is an advantage throughout the year,” said the Perrine Center NCO. “They provide an invaluable service to the local Army Recruiting community by offering tandem jump opportunities to local school officials, COIs and VIPs. It gives us, the local Recruiting NCOs, an opportunity to give back to our schools and thank our local supporters.”
When the U.S. Army Parachute Team dons its distinguished flight suits and maroon berets to accompany recruiters into a stadium, a school auditorium, room or special event, heads turn, people begin to stare and some even stop dead in their tracks. Most do not realize that together, the Golden Knights represent an image of what the U.S. Army is – “The Epitome of Elite Soldiers” throughout the world.
Photo by Donna Dixon, U.S. Army Parachute Team Media Relations
Golden Knights Black Team Soldier Pfc. Jason Wenger, left, demonstrates arching to a JROTC student at a high school event in Miami Battalion.
Golden Knights Black Team Soldier Pfc. Jason Wenger, left, demonstrates arching to a JROTC student at a high school event in Miami Battalion.