& Marine Corps Parachutist Badge often do so as part of their MOS/billet training, such as MARSOC, Force Reconnaissance, Radio Reconnaissance Platoon, EOD, 3rd, 4th, and 6th ANGLICO, JTAC, Parachute rigger, or as part of a reenlistment incentive. United States Marine Corps parachute team The only official U.S. Marine Corps sport parachute team began in January 1965 and retired in July 1965, when the same personnel became the men's US Parachute Team at the Adriatic Cup in Portoroz, Yugoslavia. Team members were Robert Mathews, Dick Myron, Dave Becker, Tom Dougher, Ed Mikelaitis, Andre Smith, John Freitas, and Bob Armstrong. Captain Mathews was team captain, the others were NCOs. Major Wilbur Dinegar was team leader. Sergeant Jim Vance was team rigger. Daryl Henry was team coach, recommended by parachutist Jacques-André Istel. The team was billeted at El Toro MCAS in California and jumped at Elsinore, Oceanside and El Centro, depending upon weather, having a brace of H-34s and an equipment truck at its disposal. The team represented the U.S. at the CISM games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in April, where they won the overall gold medal. The team then disbanded, but was resurrected two months later to compete against the U.S. Army Parachute Team to determine who would represent the United States at the 1965 Adriatic Cup. The Marines won, were designated the U.S. Men’s Team, and competed at Portoroz. They made a respectable showing, although the competition was stiffer than in Rio with the Eastern Bloc teams dominating the meet. At the end of July, the team officially disbanded and all personnel returned to their duty stations, which in many cases included postings to Vietnam. See also List of United States Marine Corps battalions Former United States special operations units Paratrooper Rikusentai, the Japanese equivalent of the Paramarines Notes References Bibliography Web Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Facility, Gillespie, from California State Military Museum ParaMarines Airborne units and formations Inactive units of the United States Marine Corps Military units and formations disestablished in 1944 Military units and formations established in 1940 United States Marine Corps in World War II