By Spc. Richard Morgan, U.S. Southern Command

CRISTÓBAL COLÓN, Panamá – U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Duchaine Paul, assigned to the 824th Base Defense Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, earned the jungle tab from the Jungle Operations Training Course – Panama class 26-5, May 15, 2026, and has become the first Airman to graduate from the JOTC-P.

Before attending the course, Paul had spent time building strong partnerships with Panamanian personnel through joint training with the Servicio de Protección Institucional (SPI), Panama’s presidential security force.

“Fortunately, I’ve been very blessed to train with other partners like SPI, which is presidential security over here in Panama,” Paul said. “And we got to train with them over at Cerro Tigre. And it’s been some great partnership and just building a relationship with the Panamanians.”

Those experiences laid the foundation for his next challenge. Building on the relationships and familiarity he had already developed with his Panamanian counterparts, Paul completed the rigorous 18-day Jungle Operations Training Course – Panama here at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón from April 27 to May 15, 2026.

The course immerses jungle students in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. Deep within the dense Panamanian jungle, students battle oppressive heat and humidity, relentless tropical rains that turn the ground into thick, sinking mud, swarms of insects, venomous wildlife, and nearly impenetrable vegetation. Navigation through the tangled undergrowth demands constant vigilance; while the survival skills, small-unit tactics, and waterborne operations test every ounce of physical endurance and mental resilience the jungle students possess.

Paul stressed how mental toughness was the key factor that carried him through his toughest challenges. Quickly adding that seeing his classmates struggle alongside him became a powerful motivator.

“Those difficult moments of the course is what kept me going through every single day… I look over to one of my friends, they would be struggling just as much. I just knew I couldn’t let up… You’re struggling. You see your buddy just barely making it. It’s a good option to just laugh at each other like, ‘Yeah, I cannot believe we’re here right now.’ You just keep pushing.”

The language barrier introduced another challenge for Paul, yet he approached it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. He explained it was a great way to become what some jungle students referred to as “tactically bilingual.”

“It was very interesting. Of course, there’s a language barrier, but it’s more [about] getting the opportunity to learn a different language and refine those skills,” he explained. “So it’s a very challenging time for me to learn Spanish, and also a very beneficial time as well.”

Paul’s leadership has spoken at length about their choice to ultimately send him through the course, expecting to not just survive the jungle, but to thrive in it.

“Our mission in Panama is centered on training by, with, and through our Panamanian partners to strengthen interoperability, build enduring relationships, and reinforce regional security cooperation.” U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jeanna Daessleer, assigned to the 474th Air Expeditionary Group, Detachment 1, Mission Commander, said.

“Staff Sgt. Paul embodied that mission every day in country. While several members were medically and physically qualified to attend the course, he distinguished himself through his professionalism, teamwork, and the relationships he built with our partner force. He has a unique ability to connect with people, foster trust, and positively represent both the 824th Base Defense Squadron and the United States Air Force. He was absolutely the right Airman for this opportunity and excelled throughout the course.”

While proud to be the first Air Force graduate this iteration, Paul emphasized that the milestone represented something much larger than himself.

“But to me, it wasn’t really about being the very first Air Force graduate to come through this. It was about knowing that I am just an image of the 824th BDS. So I’m not just representing myself, but my fellow partners, my colleagues that are down there waiting to come to the next class.”

Paul strongly encouraged other service members to take advantage of the training. Explaining the amount of things he learned not just from the jungle instructors, but jungle students as well.

“I would definitely recommend this course to anybody who can come here, because it’s an amazing opportunity to build relationships with the Panamanians.”

When asking his leadership, Daessleer reassures that Paul was the first, and certainly won’t be the last Airmen to go through the jungle course and have their chance to earn the jungle tab.

“Looking ahead, we absolutely intend to continue sending Airmen through JOTC-P. The 824th BDS already has two additional Airmen identified and prepared for upcoming iterations. Additionally, through the partnership established during this course, we have strengthened coordination with the JOTC-P leadership and anticipate continued opportunities for Base Defense Group Airmen to attend future classes.” Daessleer said.

Paul’s graduation not only marks a historic first for the U.S. Air Force but also underscores the growing interoperability between U.S. and Panamanian partners. Through shared training experiences like this, both nations are strengthening their ability to operate seamlessly in one of the world’s most demanding environments, reinforcing military partnerships that bolster security and stability across the region.