Competition Teams head to Switzerland for CISM

Twelve members of the Golden Knights are heading to Bouchs, Switzerland this week for the 35th World Military Parachuting Championships as part of the yearly Conseil International du Sport Militaire, or CISM. These jumpers will be competing in Mens 4 Way Freefall formation, Womans 4 Way Freefall Formation, Style and Accurracy competitions. Each year countries from around the globe send their best skydivers from their Armed Forces to compete at an Olympic style competition.

CISM began in 1948 with five participating nations. From those five “founder nations”; CISM has grown to 126 member nations today. The United States joined the orginization in 1951. The aim of CISM is the encouragement of military sports and the development of friendly relations between the Armed Forces of the various fields related to sport and physical fitness.

The official CISM motto is:   SPORT means Peace
                                                         SPORT is the opposite of war
                                                         SPORT is a cure for war
                                                         SPORT is international
                                                         SPORT brings nations closer

CISM is endeavoring to substitute the playing field for the battlefield. The two official languages are English and French. CISM has an official flag, anthem, and march, which is utilized at all CISM events. CISM is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and offers approximately 25 team and individual sports annually being hosted by one of the 126 member nations. The United States historically hosts one CISM World Championship a year, as well as one regional CISM Championship.

The team will begin the 35th World Military Parachuting Championship on 16 July with Opening Ceromonies and end on 24 July with Closing Ceromonies that mirror that of any World Olympics. 

The United States delegation is lead by Chief of Delegations SGM Steven Young, Golden Knights Team Sergeant Major and Team Captain SFC Dave Herwig.  The mens 4 Way Team is lead by SFC Eric Heinsheimer, CW2 Jason Harris, SSG Ryan Ray, SGT Mike Laroche and SSG Chris Acevedo(Style and Accuracy). The womans team is lead by SFC Elisa Tennyson, SFC Angela Nichols, SSG Dannielle Woosley, SSG Laura Dickmeyer and LTC Rhonda Reichel(US AirForce). While SSG Joe Jones will be shooting freefall video for both teams.The 4 way portion of competition will have to complete 8 rounds whil e Accuracy completes 10 rounds and Style completes 5. The Style and Accuracy portion will be scored by individual and team.

You can follow the Team as they go for the Gold here on our blog and follow us on Twitter @armygk.  Depending upon the internet capabilities, daily updates on scores and the events will be posted.

Tagged as: Competition