Leap Frogs promote Naval Special Warfare in Annapolis

Capt. Adam Curtis and Cmdr. Brian Casson, assigned to Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command help to motivate a student during the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge held at Grimsley High School in North Carolina. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators hosted the event, which included a 500-yard swim followed by push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and the run, in an effort to promote fitness among Americans and to raise awareness about NSW programs.

The U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, known as the Leap Frogs, performed at two Maryland high schools Oct. 29 and 30 to raise awareness about Naval Special Warfare.

More than 2,500 spectators watched the team jump at the Anne Arundel County Cross Country Championship at South River High School and at a Broadneck High School football game.

“It was fantastic,“ said David Klingel, athletic director at South River High School. “It was a great opportunity for our kids and a great way to start off this cross country championship.“

The team jumped from an Illinois Air National Guard C-130 aircraft. They swirled colored smoke across the sky before making their final approach under canopy in front of the cheering crowds.

The Leap Frogs were joined at both events by recruiters from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Richmond, Va., and NRD Philadelphia to answer questions about career opportunities in the Navy. Spectators tried on special operations equipment while others challenged themselves to pull ups.

“It's a pretty spectacular thing,“ said Ken Kazmarek, athletic director at Broadneck High School. “It has drawn interest in our school. There has been such a buzz!“

The team visited the area for a scheduled jump at the U.S. Naval Academy for a Navy versus Temple University football game. However, to the disappointment of the 30,000-strong crowd, the jump was cancelled due to weather conditions.

“It was great to make the jumps at the two high schools,“ said Cmdr. Robert Kaminski, the Leap Frogs' officer-in-charge and a 1994 graduate of the Naval Academy. “We hope to help inspire these students to reach for their goals, whatever they may be. Maybe some will even become SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) and will continue our legacy.“

The Navy Parachute Team is composed of parachuting experts from the SEAL (Sea, Air and Land), special warfare combatant-craft crew men and Naval Special Warfare parachute rigger ratings.