Learning to step out into nothing,

an independent-duty medical technician

takes on the Army’s...

Basic Airborne Course

By Staff Sgt. Trevor Tiernan

347^th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

A Moody Airman took her career to new heights recently as she graduated from the Army’s demanding Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Barbara Daum, an independent-duty medical technician from the 822nd Security Forces Squadron graduated from the course and earned her jump wings Aug. 17.

According to Sergeant Daum the chance to attend airborne school was one of the factors she considered before volunteering to be a member of the 820th Security Forces Group. She began making preparations before arriving at Moody.

“I was in a jump slot when I applied for this job,” she said. “I just needed an initial flying Class II physical, which I received prior to coming here, and had to pass the Army PT test which I did while I was deployed. Then I was just waiting for a slot to open up to go to jump school.”

There are more than 400 IDMTs in the Air Force. In the absence of a full medical facility they can temporarily fill tooth cavities, dispense pharmaceuticals, stitch cuts, drain infections, stabilize injured people and patch-up wounded troops for transport to field hospitals.

Although more cyclist than runner, Sergeant Daum began training for the rigorous PT she expected to experience at Fort Benning. After arriving at the post, she wasn’t disappointed.

“The first week was the toughest,” she said. “We ran everywhere.”

The seed to earn her own set of the coveted wings was sewn during a previous assignment where she provided medical coverage for other Air Force special operators.

“…Combat controllers, combat weather. I thought wow that’s a lot of fun. I want to do that,” said Sergeant Daum.

Of the almost 400 servicemembers who started the course, Sergeant Daum found herself in the minority with just a small group of Airmen. However, she enjoyed the chance to learn from the sister services.

“We started with nine Air Force, there were about 30 Marines and the rest were Army,” she said. “It was great working with the other branches just to see how they work together.”

As a jump-qualified member of the 822nd SFS, Sergeant Daum is aware of the possibility that she may be asked to jump with the unit into hostile territory. It’s a possibility she is prepared for.

“I take things as they come,” she said I knew when I joined the military there are chances I could go into combat. I take it as it comes, when it’s you time it’s your time.

More than 300 servicememebers started the course alongside Sergeant Daum. Over the course of the three weeks, that number was whittled down to 281. When Sergeant Daum’s were pinned on to her uniform she became the first female IDMT to graduate the rigorous course.