Women breaking down barriers and freefalling in the military

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — March is women's history month, and it’s also when all 150 positions open to women in the military.

Lt. Colonel Sharlene Pigg gathered some unlikely soldiers including Action News Jax Anchor Dawn Lopez, Mayor of St. Augustine Nancy Shaver and two college presidents.

The troops headed to Homestead Air Force Base to train with the Army's rock stars of the skies, The Golden Knights.

Nancy Shaver knows a little something about firsts, as the first female Mayor of St. Augustine. At 69, Shaver said she is looking forward to jumping out of an airplane with The Golden Knights after training.

Shaver is hit the skies wearing her dad's World War II metals, and jumped with her daughter in mind.

"My daughter is a scientist, another place women didn't play,” Shaver said. “She doesn't think of anything as doors, but everything is being open."

"In my experience, I've had a chance to repel out of planes, jump out of helicopters, essentially everything I wanted to do. This opens the door even more," said Pigg.

Winds grounded the mission, and Lopez only got to the practice door. However, classmate and president of Armstrong State College didn't let that stop her fun.

"It makes me feel proud women are doing this, living into their potential ... it's exciting," said Dr. Linda M. Bleicken]

Shaver, two college president classmates and Lopez were honored during a special ceremony. Each were given an award for attending civilian jump school.

The U.S. military is inspiring men and women, paving the way and shattering the glass ceiling for generations to come.

The Army is also working to get the civilian class another jump date within the next couple of months. The Golden Knights have to have 500 jump hours to apply for the elite team.

The army is almost a 1 million man and woman strong, branch of the military.

Cox Media Group