Make History as an Aerial Ambassador
Combine your passion for skydiving with your desire for teamwork. As a Golden Knight, you’ll compete among the best and serve as an ambassador for the Army in communities across the nation and around the world.
Teams that MAKE UP the Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are made up of several expert teams and skilled professionals who all play a critical role in the Army’s success. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and even those behind-the-scenes handling jump logistics. Whether you’re jumping out of planes going 120 miles per hour or learning how to land with expert precision, you’ll embrace the thrill of adventure and feel proud while doing it.
Demonstration Team
The Demonstration team consists of 26 members committed to supporting Army recruitment efforts. They travel the country and perform for large audiences across the country at festivals, air shows, and sporting events.
Tandem Team
The Tandem team is a group of specialists in tandem parachuting, accelerated freefall parachuting, and freefall photography who give first-time jumpers—from community leaders to civilians—the opportunity to be a Golden Knight for a day. These Soldiers are chosen from the Demonstration Team to familiarize people with the U.S. Army and give them the thrill of their lives from 12,500 feet.
Competition Team
The Competition team’s expertise is in freefall formation skydiving competitions where jumpers link together to form geometrical formations within a set time limit. They compete at the national and world levels, earning some of the highest accolades in parachuting and skydiving history.
Aviation Detachment
The Aviation Detachment, known as Team 6, is a dedicated ground and air crew of Army fixed-wing aviators. They’re responsible for operating the fleet of five aircraft used by the Golden Knights during public performances and competitions.
Headquarters Section
The Headquarters Section works behind the scenes and is responsible for leadership, organization, scheduling, training, logistics, and media relations in order for the Golden Knights to perform at the highest level.
Exhibition Team
Golden Knights Extreme, also known as GKX, performs exhibitions for audiences across disciplines like BASE jumping, wing suiting, and vertical formation skydiving. GKX is the group of creative experts responsible for keeping the Golden Knights on the cutting edge of skydiving.
A Legacy of Success
What started in 1959 as a small team competing against the former Soviet Union’s skydivers is now an international icon representing the Army’s success. The Golden Knights have earned over 3,800 medals in competition while also achieving 348 world records in the process.
See the Golden Knights in Action
Get a glimpse of what it's like to be a champion of the sky. Watch the Golden Knights live, stay up to date with events near you, or download instructions to request an appearance.
EVENTS IN YOUR AREA
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 29 - Oct 1, 2023 | Great Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach |
325 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648 |
| Sep 30 - Oct 1, 2023 | Great Pacific Air Show Huntington Beach |
16071 Goldenwest St Huntington, CA 92647 |
| Oct 2 - 5, 2023 | 1st Armored Division Torch Week Fort Bliss |
1741 Marshall Road Fort Bliss, TX 79916 |
| Oct 6, 2023 | National Night Out Long Beach |
4610E Dolphin Dr Oak Island, NC 28465 |
| Oct 8, 2023 | Army Ten-Miler Washington DC |
850 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 20003 |
| Oct 14, 2023 | Sikorsky Aircraft 100th Anniversary Sikorsky Aircraft |
6900 Main Street Stratford, CT 06614 |
| Oct 14, 2023 | Army Expo at U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center US Army Heritage and Education Center |
900 Soldiers Dr Carlisle, PA 17013 |
| Oct 21 - 22, 2023 | Hammond North Shore Airshow Hammond North Shore Regional Airport |
600 Judge Leon Ford Dr Hammond, LA 70401 |
| Oct 21 - 22, 2023 | Thunder Over The Rock Airshow Little Rock AFB |
1225 Vandenberg Blvd Little Rock AFB, AR 72099 |
| Nov 1 - 4, 2023 | National Future Farmers of America Indiana Conventions Center |
100 S Capitol Ave Indianapolis, IN 46225 |
WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A GOLDEN KNIGHT
While there's an opportunity for all members of the Army to become a Golden Knight, positions are highly competitive and meant for those dedicated to being a skydiving specialist. Soldiers must meet these requirements to be considered:
- Qualified: Airborne qualified or willing to attend U.S. Army Airborne School
- Experienced: Performed a minimum of 100 military or civilian free-fall jumps
- Disciplined: Clean military and civilian criminal or disciplinary record
- Approved: Must have submitted an application packet for approval
Every Golden Knight is a Soldier First
To become a member of the Golden Knights, you must first become an Army Soldier. Explore the variety of career opportunities the Army offers and see what it takes to join.
Don’t worry, there’s no obligation if you reach out.
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
What is the time commitment for part-time service?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?
How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can I join ROTC at my age
Can I join as an Officer?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out, .
We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.
Questions you may have right now
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you
- How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?
Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- What are the ways to serve part-time?
You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- How do I become a health care provider in the Army?
You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.
- What types of medical careers are available in the Army?
There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- What are the benefits of joining ROTC?
ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.
- How do I prepare to join ROTC?
When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.
- Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?
Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.