Army Sgt. Mercedes Specht, a paratrooper assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, receives her jumpmaster certificate from Maj. Gen. James Mingus, the division’s commanding general, during Jumpmaster Class 04-19 graduation ceremony at Green Ramp on Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, Mar. 5, 2019. In 1978, the All American division welcomed its first female paratrooper and in 1995, Sgt. 1st Class Jan Garcia became the first female jumpmaster instructor. These women opened doors of opportunity to paratroopers such as Specht.

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