Watch the U.S. Army parachute team fly into Bank of America Stadium

Serving under the leadership of the United States Army Recruiting Command and Marketing Engagement Brigade as the ‘Official Ambassadors of the Army’, the United States Army Parachute Team annually reaches a third of our nation by performing spectacular live parachute demonstrations for the American public – manifesting the ‘Band of Excellence’ as displayed by all U.S. Army Soldiers around the world. The single main ingredient contributing to the success of the army parachute team is without a doubt, teamwork.

The Golden Knights have performed more than 21,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries, reaching more than 20,000 people per show. Through demonstrations and public speaking with the Army’s target audience, at air shows, schools, sporting events and hospitals the team is able to direct potential applicants to the on-site Army recruiters.

The more than a hundred men and women who make up the Golden Knights are separated into eight sections – The Black and Gold demonstration teams, a tandem team, two competition teams, a select training team, an aviation detachment and the headquarters section. In 1961, the team had a meeting to select a team nick name and they chose the ‘Golden Knights’. On October 15, 1962 the team confirmed the nickname the ‘Golden Knights’ on the competition field of battle. Golden, signifying the gold medals the team had won; Knights, proving that they were world champions and had “conquered the skies.”