Why am I a Paratrooper? Not so much because I like to jump out of planes, but because I like to be with men who like to jump out of planes.
Airborne General

Photo RTO Online

A son can give no higher praise to a father than to follow in his footsteps. PFC James D. Deering with his father, ColorTyme Director of Franchising Jim Deering, at the Fort Benning graduation ceremony.

PFC James D. Deering, son of ColorTyme Director of Franchising Jim Deering, is proud to be "second generation Airborne." James was one of 500 soldiers to graduate with Charlie Company 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry Regiment in a ceremony at Fort Benning, Georgia in December.

Jim had the honor of pinning jump wings on his son at graduation - the same jump wings earned by Jim in 1987 as a U.S. Army Captain. "I wish I was standing in formation with them," Jim said. "To see my son complete that training and have that sense of accomplishment...it was very special."

"I know what dad went through to get his wings," PFC James Deering said. "Having him there meant a lot to me."

Earning his wings is the latest milestone in a journey that began in July 2008 when James reported for Basic Training. Jim jokes that his son was "welcomed into the loving arms of Drill Sergeants fresh from warfighting in the middle east."

Before joining the Army, James, like most teenagers, knew everything. Boot-camp quickly changed that. "Half way through basic training I called my dad and told him I didn't know anything!" James said. "I understand him better now."

Jim and his wife Alycia traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia the week of Veterans Day 2008 when James graduated Basic. "As an Army veteran myself, I was thrilled to attach the blue infantry cord to James' uniform during the "turning blue" ceremony." Jim added proudly, "Only infantry soldiers are allowed to wear the blue cord."

James went directly from Basic Training to Airborne school. The December Airborne graduation at Fort Benning was attended by over 1,000 family and friends of graduating soldiers. "The support was overwhelming," Jim said. Times have changed since Jim's service that began in the 1970s. "Back then you didn't even wear your uniform off-base." Today, young PFC James Deering says that the sight of his uniform causes complete strangers to shake his hand, thank him for his service and insist on buying his lunch.

James has been assigned to the 2nd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. He reported for duty January 3rd and is on stand-by for deployment to the Middle East.

As his son goes off to war, Jim looks back on the life-lessons he learned during his own decade-long military career. The top lesson may surprise you. "The most important thing I learned from the military was tolerance," Jim explained. "Tolerance for other cultures. Tolerance for other viewpoints and proof that people are the same everywhere." Jim is thrilled that his son will have the opportunity to learn those same lessons.

Airborne is the only voluntary duty in the Army. Over 20% drop out before the rigorous training course is completed. 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. Airborne Units are capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

"Some of these young men may never see combat, but many will," Jim Deering said. "Some will serve and come home, and some will die. Regardless of the danger that may lie ahead, all are immensely proud to serve their country and look forward to whatever comes their way."

In an age when many parents fear enlistment, the Deering's see military service as not only a moral obligation, but a unique opportunity to gain insight into other cultures and experience diversity on a level unmatched in any other career. "There's a whole world out there," James said. "I don't know any other way to experience it other than to dive in head first."

In his 2008 Veterans Day proclamation, President George W. Bush said, "From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave patriots have protected our Nation's ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe. They stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history."

PFC James Deering and his father Jim Deering are two of those brave patriots.

On behalf of RTO Online, RTO Magazine and our 30,000 readers, we salute the Deering family for their second generation of service and sacrifice for God and Country.

See more in the upcoming print edition of RTO Magazine.

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