Any advice or how to prepare for Pathfinder School?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 14:13:30 -0400

I need some resources or advice on how to prepare for Army Pathfinder School. I should be going in around August. I want to be as ready as possible since the fail rate is around 80%. Thank you in advance!!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 1 at 2019 2:33 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 14:33:56 -0400

Perhaps, CPT Private RallyPoint Member will give you some advice, SGT Private RallyPoint Member. He has the credentials!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 4:04 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 04:04:42 -0400

I just graduated from the WTC course last month. We graduated about 50% of the class. The only pre-preparation I would do is:

1. Memorize the nomenclature content for equipment provided by the schoolhouse. Verbatim names of items and rated capacities/lengths/sizes/etc.
2. Memorize the deficiency sheet for sling loads verbatim. Know what each deficiency looks like.
3. Familiarize yourself with Pythagorean theorem and basic trigonometry. It will make understanding HLZs/DZs much easier.
4. Get a scientific calculator (not graphing) and learn how to use the square root and exponent functions.

If you have all of this done prior to attending, you will be far ahead of your peers, and it won't feel like you are constantly falling behind each time they start teaching a new section. Feel free to contact me with any questions; the course is still fairly fresh in my head.

Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2019 3:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 15:19:40 -0400

Hey SGT Quinonez,
I just graduated Pathfinder yesterday class 720-19. You are doing the right thing by asking advice from others who have attempted or already completed PF. It is a very difficult course and it will consume you for 21 days. The instructors are incredible and are by their phones to answer any question you may have during your evening study hours and they will answer anything.

Something students underestimate is the amount of time you must study. All of your free time, with the exception of personal PT, should consist of studying. If you have a family, I recommend you inform them of this and ensure they understand you may be at home but you need to study. Our class began with 60 students and graduated 17 total (28% lowest most cadre had ever seen during an MTT). Many students underestimate the time you must study so this is the best advice I can give you.

I recommend the following before reporting to PF:
- Ensure your packing list is 100%
- Study study study nomenclature for slingloads and all possible deficiencies. (these can be found on the website)
- Blank out your calendar to include weekends.

Best of luck!

-SSG Coughenour

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2019 9:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 21:16:06 -0400

Thank you very much SSG. I will definitely work on those Nomenclatures! I got the study material from Fort Benning! Thank you for the advice and congratulations!

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 5 at 2019 10:13 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 22:13:40 -0400

Eat a lot of snakes

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2023 9:43 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:43:04 -0400

I came across this post and was curious if you were able to go and how was the course for you. I graduated in March 1995, Class 6-95, as an E4. Back then the course was only two weeks and I remember them talking about extending it to three weeks due to the failure rate. I guess they finally did it, lol.