The family that rains death from the skies together, stays together
Posted on 06/17/2005 10:04:13 AM PDT by real saxophonist
GSU student makes history with her father
Father, daughter first to attend airborne school simultaneously
Special to the Herald
As the daughter of a man who has made the U.S. Army his career, Georgia Southern University student Glory White has always possessed a keen appreciation for the military life.
She even joined the Army Reserve while she was still in high school, and then signed up for ROTC upon her arrival at GSU.
White will take her commitment to a new level — and make a little history in the process — when she goes to airborne school with her father next week at Fort Benning in Columbus.
According to a Fort Benning spokesman, Sgt. 1st Class Richard White and Glory White will be the first father and daughter to simultaneously attend the school, which has been training paratroopers in every branch of the U.S. armed forces for 65 years.
"I think it's neat that my dad and I have the opportunity to do this together," said Glory White, who is enrolled in GSU's school of nursing. "I know it's going to be a challenge, but I'm really looking forward to it."
After beginning with practice jumps from a 34-foot high tower, the three-week course will culminate with a series of leaps from a plane flying at 1,250 feet.
"This is something I've always wanted to do," said Richard White, who is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the dental clinic at Fort Stewart in Hinesville. "And when Glory told me she wanted to do it … well, I was just very happy. I'm extremely proud of her."
The second of four children in her family, Glory White enlisted in the Army Reserve shortly after turning 17 years old. She went through basic training during the summer between her junior and senior years at Richmond Hill High School.
"I've always believed that the Army has a lot to offer," Glory White said. "I know it's done a lot for my dad."
Following her graduation from high school, she considered the military as an immediate career option, but chose to first attend college. Once at GSU, she earned a nursing scholarship through the ROTC program.
In addition, Glory White won a Bothwell A. "Snag" Johnson ROTC Honors Scholarship, which is presented to ROTC students at Georgia Southern who rank in the top of their class academically and possess exceptional leadership and potential.
Displaying brawn as well as brains, the 19-year-old also captured the Iron Eagle Award by notching a perfect score on the Army Physical Fitness Test — three times in a row.
"I've always been really good at the physical requirements," Glory White said. "Our ROTC commanders encourage us to get as much training as possible, and I thought airborne school would be a good experience."
So did her father, who will celebrate his 44th birthday on July 11. Ironically, that is the same day that Richard White and his daughter expect to make their first actual jump from a C-130 plane.
"Now that will be a great birthday present," he said.
The family that rains death from the skies together, stays together
"Glory"..waht a GREAT name..wonder if it's her given name, or shortened from Gloria..
Put your knees in the breeze!
82nd ABN 1/508th BN Bco
"fury from the sky"
Nope, it's Glory. She and her family attended church with my family. Glory's going to make an outstanding officer - she's a very impressive young woman... The whole family are a great bunch of folks.
An interesting fact they didn't mention is that her Mom served in the Marine Corps.
Very proud of them both ... But Richard, from one old soldier to another, jump school at our age in JULY? Glory got the brains and the beauty from her Mom, troop!
ping
Airborne School will run her ragged. That's their job, and they are very good at it. Though I've a feeling that she and her dad will make it.
Especially is she's doing her Qualifying Jumps from a Herk.
All she'll have to do is stand up. Do an Equipment Check and head for the door.
Good luck to the Whites!
Jack.
Statesboro has a special place in my heart....great to read such a good story from there.
They will get JumpWings from Benning not Air Assault Wings
LOL! I went in the fall. Georgia is gorgeous in the Autumn.
She'll do fine. She topped out her training battalions' PT scores at Ft Jackson last summer - female & male. She's petite, but tough as nails.
The Army's got a lot to be proud of in these two.
ABN ping
Bump
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