Most people never personally know their heroes. Their heroes might be movie stars, politicians, great men or women who have done mighty things. They are the ones who seem to be in the spotlight of life. Yet not all heroes receive these accolades and notoriety.
Who are these heroes? Some are full time soldiers. Others are your next-door neighbors, grocers, pharmacists, physicians, or mechanics. In civilian life they work at their jobs but when duty calls these men and women of the National Guard and the Army Reserves rise to meet the challenge. Filled with courage in the face of fear they choose to stand their ground for all that they believe in. They are men and women with the courage to make sacrifices and face whatever dangers may come in order to protect their homeland and preserve the American way of life. Their word is their bond and honor is their code of conduct.
In February, for the first time in five years, the Army’s active, Reserve and National Guard components missed their monthly recruiting goals. If more young men and women felt like PFC James Sharpe this would not be the case.
Airborne officers are considered to be among the Army's most valuable combat officers. (Every member of the Rangers and Special Forces - two of the Army's most elite corps - is airborne-qualified.)
Two years ago, James walked into a recruiter’s office and said, "I want to be in military intelligence.” The recruiter said, “Do you have a problem with jumping out of airplanes?” James said, “No,” and a few days later, he was holding up his right hand taking the Alabama National Guard oath of enlistment.
Why do young men and women join the military? There are many reasons, patriotism, benefits, job training, and tradition to mention a few. For James the driving factor was family tradition. Both his father and grandfather served in the military. Another major factor was the desire to do something meaningful and exciting with his life. The Army’s variety of careers was the reason for his choice of the Army over the other branches of the military.
The Army National Guard was the best fit for James for several reasons. He and his wife were both in college and the Guard offered him the opportunity to remain in his community and continue his education while beginning his military career.
About four months after enlisting James arrived at Ft. Jackson South Carolina for basic training. Basic training sometimes strikes fear in the hearts of potential recruits. James found that Basic Training was not a “cake walk,” but it wasn’t like the horror stories some would have you think it is.
The Guard allowed James to take the MOS-Split option. He went to Basic Training upon enlistment and then completed another semester of college before going to AIT (Advanced Individual Training). James is a member of the Alabama 20th Special Forces Group ( Airborne. ) Graduation from Jump School is a requirement for membership in both the 19 th and 20 th Special Forces Groups. So after finishing AIT James (deleted portion about split training before BAC, I went straight from AIT to BAC) reported to Ft. Benning, Georgia for the Basic Airborne Course ( Jump School . ) The purpose of Jump School is not only to teach a soldier to jump but to instill confidence and leadership in individuals.
Jump school graduation is a unique experience for the graduates as well as their family and friends. The graduates actually jump at the Fryar field Drop Zone; collect their gear, and then graduate. James's father, MAJ Randy Sharpe, USA (Ret.) took this photo at his graduation from Jump School.
Jumping out of planes was the highlight of this part of James’s military training but the other side of the coin was the physical pain of falling down and making repetitive jumps. “Jump School is one of the best things you can do in the Army. You get jump pay every month, extra promotion points and the pride of serving in an Airborne unit. Just think, civilians PAY to Jump!” Click Here to find out more about Jump School.
When asked if he would do it all again PFC James Sharpe answered with a quick, firm, “YES.” While some harbor anxiety and fear of deployment, James longs for it. He has been in the Guard for 2 years and volunteers every chance he gets. “20 th Special Forces Group is a very unique guard unit. You have a lot more opportunities within an SF Group than you do in a conventional unit in regards to schools and training. Everyone in it takes their job very seriously, and they are really great group of people. James feels very strongly about his unit and says, "There is no other guard unit that I’d like to be in.”
The message he would like to send to those out there that want to join the military is, “It’s doable. Don’t get discouraged. Just put your mind to it and you can make it happen. ” Of his future goals James says he would like to go to HALO (High Altitude Low Opening, the military’s freefall course,) and he would also like to train to be a Jumpmaster.
