Soldier re-enlists with skydive

Capt. Liana Mayo
311th Signal Command (Theater) Public Affairs

WAIALUA — “I’ve gotta do this again!” Spc. Travis Anderson exclaimed as his parachute drifted to the ground behind him, excited eyes confirming his words were true and that he has a shot at earning his wings in airborne school.

Anderson, an intelligence analyst assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 311th Signal Command (Theater), raised his right hand and re-enlisted in the Army for six years at Dillingham Airfield, here, July 16.

Anderson; his wife, Sara; and four other Soldiers celebrated his decision by skydiving tandem with a local skydiving company.

The jump was Anderson’s first and was intended to be a beta test of sorts, as his re-enlistment contract includes a $26,000 bonus for electing to attend airborne school.

“I know it’s completely different than the Army style of parachuting, but it solidified for me that I really do enjoy parachuting or skydiving,” Anderson said.

“Travis is an outstanding intelligence Soldier who operates at a higher capacity than his current rank and will go far with his Army career,” said Capt. Faith Fisher, intelligence officer, 311th Intelligence Office, and Anderson’s re-enlistment officer.

“I was honored when he asked me as an Active Guard Reserve military intelligence officer to conduct his re-enlistment and to skydive,” added Fisher, who also made the jump with her husband, Chief Warrant Officer Stanley Fisher III, Company B., 301st Military Intelligence Battalion.

Spc. Roberto Morales, an intelligence analyst assigned to HHC, 311th Sig. Cmd. (T), and Capt. Liana Mayo, public affairs officer, 311th Sig. Cmd. (T), also skydived with the couples.

“For those on the fence about whether to get out or stay in, I suggest they give the Army a second chance and see where it will take them,” Anderson said. “There are so many opportunities and a variety of experiences everywhere the Army takes you.”

Anderson will attend airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., as part of his Permanent Change of Duty Station next summer.

• Contact

For details about joining the 311th Signal Command (Theater)’s team of active component, reserve and active guard reserve Soldiers and Dept. of Army civilians, email Master Sgt. Roxanne Salisbury at roxanne.s.salisbury.mil@mail.mil.

Tags: 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 311th Signal Command, featured, full-image, re-enlist

Category: News