SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends' Shea to Make Parachute Jump Today as Part of Army Cadet Corps Festivities in Millersburg

Published on July 20, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


As president and chief operating officer of the Lexington Legends, Andy Shea has watched as military parachutists descended into ballparks across the country.

On Friday, Shea will have a different perspective. He'll be making a tandem jump with the Ranger Group, a parachute demonstration team, in Millersburg as part of a weekend of festivities marking the graduation of nearly 180 Cadets and recruits from 2-6 week training programs conducted by the U.S. Army Cadet Corps on Forest Hill Station in Millersburg.

The Ranger Group is comprised of former members of the Army's Parachute Team, the "Gold Knights."

"We are pleased to invite Andy to participate in this 'leap of faith,' said Col. Joseph M. Land, Sr., the corps' chief of staff. "The U.S. Army Cadet Corps has provided the Color Guard at several Legends' games, and we're pleased to work with such a fine team."

Coleman Eldridge, executive assistant to Governor Steve Beshear, is also scheduled to make a tandem jump with the Ranger Group, as are Amanda Stevenson of NewsChannel 36 and Laci Poulter, global consumer marketing manager at Alltech, Inc.

The parachute jumps are scheduled to take place between 4 and 8 p.m. Friday on the campus of Forest Hill Military Academy, 1122 Main Street in Millersburg.

The U.S. Army Cadet Corps will also conduct a Retreat Ceremony and Open House Friday night on July 20th, beginning at 6 pm. Music will be provided by 98.1, The Bull.

Graduation ceremonies will be held on Saturday, July 21 at 10 a.m. The Ranger Group will bring in the American flag from an altitude of 12,000 feet.

"This is exciting for me personally, of course, but I hope the jump Friday and the events this weekend will bring greater awareness of the U.S. Army Cadet Corps and the great work they're doing," said Shea. "I'm proud to take part."

The public is invited to all the events.

Participating recruits and Cadets represent several states, including Kentucky, California, Florida and New York and foreign countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the People's Republic of China.

Recruits participating in the Basic Cadet Training (BCT) course will have completed the initial two-week training program for all new U.S. Army Cadets Corps (USAC) recruits. They are introduced to the basics of being a Cadet, military training, physical fitness and life. Recruits learn such skills as drill and ceremonies, customs and courtesies, wear of the uniform and others needed to succeed in the USAC. Recruits also participate in basic rifle marksmanship, the obstacle course and martial arts training. When the recruits graduate, they will have earned the title of "Cadet."

Cadets participating in the Basic Leader Course (BLC) have completed BLC is an intense three-week program for the graduates of Basic Cadet Training. BLC provides advanced orientation in basic leadership skills, field training, marksmanship, self-defense and team-building activities. BLC builds upon BCT and equips a Cadet to succeed as a team/squad leader in their home USAC Company.

Many of the graduating Cadets will attend Forest Hill Military Academy in Millersburg, a technology-based preparatory school for young men and women in grades six through 12.

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