Press Release
☷First Sky Soldier earns Italian Jumpmaster title
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Feb 07,2024
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U . S . Army Sgt . Mathew Pous , a paratrooper with the 2nd Battalion , 503rd Infantry Regiment , 173rd Airborne Brigade , made history by becoming the first ‘Sky Soldier’ to become an Italian Jumpmaster in Pisa , Italy on December 18 , 2023 . The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U . S . Army ' s Contingency Response Force in Europe , providing rapid forces to various areas . Based in Italy and Germany , the brigade trains with NATO allies and partners to build interoperability and strengthen the Alliance . Sgt . Mathew Pous posed for a photo with Capt . Anthony Dove after achieving the title of Italian Jumpmaster . The 173rd Airborne Brigade , part of the U . S . Army ' s Contingency Response Force in Europe , recently celebrated one of its own achieving the title of Italian Jumpmaster . U . S . Army Sgt . Mathew Pous completed the Italian Jumpmaster School , becoming the first ' Sky Soldier ' from the brigade to do so . The achievement was even more significant as Pous is only the third person from the entire U . S . Army to attain this title . Pous spoke highly of the experience , noting that his Italian language skills and cultural respect helped him connect with his Italian counterparts during the training . He believes that understanding and embracing other cultures adds value to one ' s own perspective and way of life . After practicing for about a year , he felt confident enough to take on the difficult course . The Italian Jumpmaster School focuses on adaptability and working with international partners . Soldiers are trained to seamlessly perform their duties alongside soldiers from other countries , reflecting Italy ' s commitment to participating in multinational operations . "Going to the school is not just about being a Jumpmaster and knowing how to speak Italian , but also representing the U . S . Army , " said Pous . Before his experience in Pisa , Pous completed the U . S . Army Jumpmaster course just three months earlier , on Sept . 18 , 2023 , after completing 35 jumps as a paratrooper . To help himself and others with the details of airborne operations , Pous recorded videos of his progress in the Italian course and some of his multinational jumps . He mentioned that one of the main differences between the U . S . and Italian schools is what they prioritize . U . S . Jumpmasters focus primarily on the safety of the static lines as paratroopers exit the aircraft , " said Pous . Pous explained that , instead of safeties , Italian Assistant Jumpmasters handle the static lines and then watch each jumper leave the aircraft , making sure the light is still green . Only then , in one smooth motion , does the assistant move on to the next jumper ' s static line . "It was challenging because I wasn ' t accustomed to it . I had to learn a new way and develop new muscle memory , " said Pous . Another difference Pous noticed was that both U . S . primary and assistant Jumpmasters jump out of the aircraft , while in the Italian army , the Jumpmaster and assistant stay on board until the end of the airborne operation . "Also , the American pre - jump involves reciting four pages of text word for word , whereas the Italian pre - jump consists of a number of bullet points that you have the freedom to explain in your own words , " said Pous . "The advantage is that Jumpmasters can emphasize certain parts more if necessary . This way , the jumpers are more attentive when they know something new might be shared . " Both schools were very professional and detail - oriented , he added . Throughout the three - week course , Pous successfully completed five different Jumpmaster duties , all carried out in Italian . He also acted as the Jumpmaster for Italian airborne students , helping them graduate from airborne school . "My favorite memory was probably having coffee right after the morning formation every day . It was like a tradition , " said Pous . "Everyone , both students and instructors , would go . As their guest , they never let me pay for my own coffee and brioche!" The morning coffee tradition served as a moment to start the day slowly , said Pous , discussing everything from the course to food , culture , vacation spots , and history . But the course itself was all business , with the difficulty level being super high but achievable , according to Pous . I really liked how they work hard and take their job seriously . They ' re definitely experts . Pous ' graduation ceremony gave us a glimpse into the close cooperation between the U . S . and Italian militaries . It ' s an honor for him to graduate from our Italian Jumpmaster School , and it ' s also an honor for us Italians to present him with the diploma as a representative of the U . S . It ' s deeply ingrained in the airborne units to strive for excellence , where precision and efficiency can be a matter of life and death . Sgt . Pous is a great example of someone who takes his job seriously and understands our role as ambassadors in a foreign country . He was motivated to learn Italian , formed many lasting relationships , and successfully earned Italian Jumpmaster status , representing the U . S . Army . Pous mentioned that his next goal might be attending U . S . Pathfinder School or Air Assault School to further expand his knowledge . He ' s also planning to complete a divemaster course in Padova , Italy . His next goal after that would be attending French Jumpmaster School since he speaks French as well , but it will require some coordination . For more information about the 173rd Airborne Brigade , you can visit their website at www . skysoldiers . army . mil . The 173rd Airborne Brigade ( Sky Soldiers ) is the U . S . Army ' s Contingency Response Force in Europe , providing rapid forces to the United States European , Africa and Central Command areas of responsibility . They are based in Italy and Germany and regularly train with NATO allies and partners to enhance cooperation and strengthen the Alliance .
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