UPDATE: Green Beret Master Sgt. Nathan Goodman, Sgt. 1st. Class Ethan Carpenter, deaths in military free fall training accident

Master Sgt. Nathan Goodman, 36, of Hope Mills, North Carolina, died Jan. 14, 2020 during a routine military free fall training exercise near Eloy, Arizona.

Goodman “most likely dipped his right shoulder” when he reached back as he was utilizing a new Army Hand deployed pilot chute free fall method, destabilizing him as he fell, laden with full combat equipment and breathing from an oxygen mask, according to the investigation obtained by Army Times through the Freedom of Information Act in a report 9 Oct. That method is used in civilian training and Yuma Proving Ground.

Goodman’s “main parachute and lines deployed around him and became entangled in his [night vision goggles] and even possibly other equipment,” the document reads. He attempted to cut away from his main canopy and deployed his reserve chute, but once again the lines became fouled around him.

A working group has been established to investigate concerns into the new Army training method. “While the use of a [hand-deployed pilot chute] system is safer, it does pose a greater risk to parachutists that cannot conduct a stable exit, stable free-fall or maintain heading control throughout the deployment,” the full Army Times report found here said.

Another free fall accident, another investigation.

Sgt. 1st. Class Ethan Carpenter, a reconnaissance specialist assigned to the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, died during routine military free-fall training at a facility in Arizona, March 15, 2019. Carpenter deployed to combat eight times, once to Iraq and seven to Afghanistan before he was assigned as a reconnaissance specialist with the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, June 5, 2017.

March 15, Sgt. 1st Class Ethan Carpenter and his fellow Rangers were jumping with full combat equipment, oxygen masks and night vision goggles. After exiting the aircraft, one jumper experienced a parachute malfunction and then collided with Carpenter, who was then seen parachuting in the wrong direction into the trees surrounding the drop zone in Arizona, according to Military.com.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command G3 and Ranger Regiment riggers associated with military freefall training and operations “should review internal procedures and processes to determine whether additional controls, procedures or checks should be implemented when overseeing the parachute packing work of civilian contracted parachute packers,” the report obtained by military.com states.

The incidents are still currently under investigation. 

More about the fallen men from Army.mil:

Goodman was born in Pasadena, California and grew up near Chicago, Illinois. He enlisted July 23, 2002, completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training and the Army’s Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga. and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. 

In 2005, he transferred to the Army National Guard, attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection and graduated as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant in October 2007 and assigned to 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He returned to active duty and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFG (Airborne) in 2010. In 2016, he was re-assigned to 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) as a Senior Instructor, then Chief Instructor. He returned to 2nd Battalion 3rd SFG (Airborne) in July 2018 and upon promotion to Master Sgt., July 2019 became an Operations “Team” Sergeant for a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha. 

He completed four deployments to Afghanistan, one to Iraq, two to Africa, and one to Kyrgyzstan. 

“Nathan was a beloved member of 3rd Special Forces Group and an exceptional leader in the Special Operations community,” said Col. Nathan Prussian, Commander, 3rd SFG (A). 

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his Family during this difficult time and our priority now rests with taking care of them and our Soldiers,” he added. 

Goodman graduated from the Basic, Advanced, Senior, and Master Leader Courses; Army Special Operations Forces Senior Noncommissioned Officer Fundamentals Course; Basic and Small Group Instructor Training Courses; Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course; Basic, Jumpmaster and Advanced Tactical Infiltration Military Free Fall Courses; Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course; Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course; and the Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator Course. 

Goodman’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2OLC); Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (3OLC); Army Achievement Medal; Valorous Unit Award (1OLC); Meritorious Unit Citation (2OLC); Army Good Conduct Medal (3OLC); National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (four campaign stars); Iraq Campaign Medal (two campaign stars); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization device; NATO Medal (1OLC); Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge; Parachutist’s Master Rated Military Free Fall Badges. 

A native of Trumansburg, New York, Carpenter entered the Army, August 31, 2007. He completed One Station Unit Training, Basic Airborne Course, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield as an assistant machine gunner; he then progressed to team leader and squad leader.

Carpenter deployed to combat eight times, once to Iraq and seven to Afghanistan before he was assigned as a reconnaissance specialist with the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, June 5, 2017. 

“Sgt. 1st Class Ethan Carpenter was an exemplary Soldier and Ranger Leader, and a dedicated husband and father. He did the toughest jobs well and was the consummate team member when it counted the most, both in garrison training and in deployed combat. He represented our Nation’s best, and we’ll miss him dearly,” said Colonel Joseph Ewers, commander, Regimental Special Troops Battalion.

Carpenter’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal with OLC, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Ranger Tab, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutists Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.