CityView Magazine

schools and train to stay current in their military jobs. However, they have to fit all their regular military training in during the months of October, November and December, when they aren’t otherwise occupied with Golden Knights’ duties. Though there are just six women on the team this year, last year the Golden Knights had more women on the team than any other year in the team’s history. Ten of the 26 demonstration jumpers on the team last year were women. “It’s a male-dominated sport and it’s different as a female,” Tennyson said. “In regards to the style competition, the female center of balance is different.” The Golden Knights are divided into two teams, the Gold team and Black team, and their schedules allow each team to focus on either demonstrations or competing. Tennyson has done some demonstrations but said she does not particularly enjoy interacting with the press and the crowds, she prefers competing. “I’ve always been competitive and played sports growing up and it’s what I do best,” Tennyson said. The competition calendar does not fluctuate much from year to year and the team is always looking ahead and training for the next competition. Every two years they compete in the World Championship competition, which was held this year in Montenegro. Every four years they compete in the Military World Games, which is similar to the Olympics. That event will take place in July next year in Rio de Janiero. The two competition teams include Above | During practice SFC Tennyson focuses on her landing. Right | Team members take top honors at a 2010 competition. The Golden Knights’ hard work have made them the military’s most successful sports team. the nine-member free-fall formation team and the four-member style and accuracy team, of which Tennyson is the captain. During the week the team practices from the airport in Laurinburg, N.C., regardless of the weather. When the weather is too bad to jump, they go into the hanger and use a harness system that simulates jumping out of the door of an airplane and landing on a circle that is smaller than a dime with their heel. Tennyson said she enjoys being an ambassador for the Army and appreciates the opportunities that come with being a member of the Golden Knights – two more reasons to keep her head in the clouds.CV 62 | Winter • 2010/2011

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