Photo By Leslie Herlick | Sgt. 1st Class Riley B. Watts III, the first sergeant for A Company 1-14th Aviation...... read more read more
FORT RUCKER, Ala. — Sgt. 1st Class Riley B. Watts III is the first sergeant for A Company 1-14th Aviation Regiment, the Army’s largest AH-64 Apache helicopter company, but his interest in becoming a Soldier started with a different kind of aviation Soldier: the World War II paratrooper. This dream began long before he wore an Army uniform. It started in his living room as a teen, watching stories of courage and sacrifice unfold on the screen.
“Before joining the Army, I, like many others, watched ‘Band of Brothers,’” said Watts. “That series opened doors I never would have found otherwise.”
What has followed is a 16-year journey shaped by history, perseverance and a deep personal connection to World War II.
His grandfather, William Washington, a direct descendant of George Washington, served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and Korea. Born on the grounds of George Washington’s birthplace in Colonial Beach, Virginia, he enlisted as a teenager and served aboard the USS Augusta during the D-Day invasion. He later supported Marines and Army units during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea.
“He was my hero,” Watts said. “Everything I’ve done has been with the hope of making him proud.”
To honor his grandfather’s service, Watts was drawn to World War II reenactment. His neighbor, Ken Stoddard, was a reenactor with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and inspired Watts to wear the uniform of a Canadian paratrooper in living history demonstrations along the East Coast.
In 2009, Watts joined the Army as an Attack Helicopter Repairer; a job that had very few, if any airborne slots. Watts was determined to jump out of airplanes though and applied for Army Airborne School numerous times. After years of denied applications, he took matters into his own hands.
In 2013, while stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, he attended a civilian jump school with the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team in Frederick, Oklahoma, a civilian-run WWII reenactment parachute team that participates in active parachute jumping in the style of the WWII airborne soldier.
There, he completed five jumps from an authentic D-Day C-47 airplane named “Boogie Baby” and earned his team wings. Watts had these wings pinned on by 1st Lt. Omer Brown, a WWII pilot who flew in the Pacific theater and dropped the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment on Corregidor in Manila Bay in February of 1945.
Watts’ continued to pursue Army Airborne School but still was denied. However, his determination never wavered. In January 2025, Watt made a social media post about yet another denied packet that caught the attention of Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McAvoy, then the command sergeant major of the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment and Watts’ former first sergeant. One phone call later, Watts had a school date. He graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning this past spring with five more jumps under his belt, adding to his growing total. Airborne School was not the endgame for Watts though.
As he was still not in an airborne position in the Army, he joined the Round Canopy Parachute Team (RCPT) in Palatka, Florida, another civilian commemorative parachute team. In November 2025, Watts completed six additional jumps from another original D-Day C-47 airplane, the “Tico Belle”, earning his RCPT airborne wings.
To further the aviation connection, Watts’ wings were pinned on by former Army Aviator Frank Cashman, an RCPT board member and jumpmaster, who served in the Florida Army National Guard. Watts also earned foreign jump wings by completing jumps with both Peruvian and Honduran jumpmasters during the event.
“Parachuting is one of the most thrilling experiences someone can have,” Watts said. “The first jump is pure nerves, but eventually, it becomes an addiction.”
Watts now has 17 jumps to his name and hopes to add more. His next goal is to jump on the hallowed drop zones of Normandy.
“Jumping in Normandy is the equivalent of the Super Bowl for a paratrooper,” he said. “It’s sacred ground.”
For those facing similar obstacles, Watts offers a message of persistence. “Earning my jump wings remains one of the proudest achievements of my military career,” he said. “If the Army route doesn’t work out, organizations like RCPT exist to keep that dream alive.”
As the first sergeant for a company of roughly 100 soldiers, Army Civilian Professionals and contractors, 1st Sgt. Watts is responsible for their health, welfare, discipline and training. It is a unique responsibility, as the organization is composed largely of officers.
Watts said his commitment to taking care of soldiers is the foundation of his connection to airborne operations. The experience, he added, reinforced his belief in paying it forward.
“Someday I hope I’m in a position to help someone and impact their life the way McAvoy impacted mine,” Watts said.
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2025 16:53 |
| Story ID: | 554156 |
| Location: | FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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