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The Golden Knights organization is made up of five different sub-teams, or sections: the demonstration team, the tandem team, the competition team, the aviation team, and the headquarters.

The demonstration section consists of 26 members who travel around the United States, performing at various events in support of Army recruiting. The demonstration team travels the country and the world performing for large audiences during various events, including festivals, air shows, and sporting events.

The tandem section provides Soldiers, heads of state, celebrities and other VIPs the opportunity experience the thrill of skydiving. The Golden Knights Tandem Team is responsible for bringing the exhilarating experience of free fall to Soldiers and other VIPs all over the country. Some of their notable passengers include President George H.W. Bush, Chuck Norris, Bill Murray, Geraldo Rivera, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and Tiger Woods. The team performs tandem jumps at their training drop zone in Laurinburg, N.C. They also travel to tandem camps around the country.

The competition section travels around the world to jump in various skydiving competitions. The Golden Knights competition teams have earned the highest accolades in parachuting competitions, earning 460 national championships, 100 world championships, 32 national team titles and 10 world team titles. Over the past 52 years, the team has also broken 348 world records, including military records held in the Counseil International du Sports Militaire (CISM). 

During freefall formation skydiving competitions, a specified number of jumpers link together to form geometrical formations within a set time limit. These competitions usually provide for an eight-way team and a four-way team. Other categories include: style, accuracy, canopy piloting, free-flying and vertical relative work.

The aviation team is comprised of the pilots, crew chiefs, and mechanics responsible for flying and fixing the team's two Fokker C-31 Troopships and three DeHaviland Twin Otters. The Golden Knights rely on a dedicated ground and air crew to maintain the aircraft used during performances and competitions. Currently, the Golden Knights utilize the C-31A Friendship, and the UV-18 Dehaviland Twin Otter.

C-31A TROOPSHIP

The C-31A F-ship is the primary support aircraft for the Golden Knights’ Black and Gold Demonstration teams. It is modified with two large doors that are used for jump operations. The Golden Knights have accumulated more than 27,000 hours of flight time on the C-31 since 1985, and it is widely considered one of the most reliable cargo and transport aircraft in the world.

UV-18 DEHAVILAND TWIN OTTER

The UV-18 Dehaviland is the primary support aircraft for the Golden Knights’ Competition and Tandem teams. This Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft is powered by two Pratt and Whitney PT6-27 turbine engines, and is capable of dispersing up to 14 parachutists very quickly from take off. The performance capabilities of the UV-18 Dehaviland allows for multiple training jumps to be conducted during the duty day, which allows the Golden Knights Competition teams to prepare more efficiently for national and worldwide competition.

MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT TEAMS

The Golden Knights support team is comprised of a maintenance officer NCOIC (Noncommission Officer In-Charge) and four enlisted military flight engineers. Soldiers are assigned to the Golden Knights maintenance and support teams only after a thorough review of their service records, performance history and the completion of an interview.

The headquarters team organizes and provides logistical support for jumps and events. They are also responsible for getting the word out to the public whenever the Golden Knights are scheduled to perform.

The headquarters team is responsible for the leadership, organization, scheduling, logistics and media relations for the Golden Knights mission. Departments include Command Group, Operations, Administration and Media Relations, Parachute Maintenance and Supply.

Golden Knights are Army Soldiers first, but they also have a unique history and creed that sets them apart.

In 1959, nineteen Airborne Soldiers from various military units formed the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team (STRAC). Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. gathered the Soldiers with the intent of competing in the relatively new sport of skydiving, which at that time was dominated by the Soviet Union. That year, the U.S. Army team began representing the United States on the international competition circuit, and performed their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia. Two years later, the Department of Defense announced that the STRAC team would become the United States Army Parachute Team.

By 1962, the team earned the nickname the "Golden Knights". "Golden" signified the gold medals the team had won while "Knights" alluded to the team’s ambition to conquer the skies. 

Since then, the Golden Knights have conducted more than 16,000 shows in 50 states and 48 countries, reaching an average of 60,000 people per show. The team has earned the U.S. Army 2,148 gold, 1,117 silver, and 693 bronze medals in national and international competition. Team members have also broken 348 world records.  

The Golden Knights are one of only three Department of Defense-sanctioned aerial demonstration teams, along with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The team is composed of approximately 95 men and women, which includes four parachute units, an aviation unit and a headquarters. The demonstration teams, which use five dedicated aircraft, perform at more than 100 events per year. The tandem section is known for taking Soldiers, celebrities and heads of state on jumps, and the competition section focuses on winning national and international skydiving events.

The Golden Knights are always looking for new team members to perform and compete during the group's demanding schedule. Spots on the Golden Knights team are highly competitive and candidates must show a skill and dedication far beyond the average skydiver in order to earn a place.

If you think you have what it takes to become a Golden Knight, you can find the application packet below. Applications are due by July 15th, and tryouts are held each year from September through October.

In order to become a member of the Golden Knights:

You must submit your application packet for approval with your chain of command.