Since 1968 Helmut Schlecht, with outstanding success, represented Germany as a competitor and team leader in World Championships, international competitions and National Championships in Germany until his retirement from the Army. In 1976, the U.S. Army Parachute Team recognized Helmut as an Honorary Golden Knight and not long after, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, in recognition of Helmut’s outstanding services for the sport and his home country, honored Helmut with the Federal Cross of Merit. Because of his team’s partnership with the U.S. Army Parachute Team, Helmut was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal of the United States of America in 1993. The Fédération Aéronautique International (FAI) honored the exceptional achievements of Helmut for sport parachuting by awarding him the Gold Parachuting Medal. His home is in Bavaria, Germany, with his wife Renate.