Basic Mountain Warfare Course or Air Assault?

2016-02-15T13:20:56-05:00

If given a choice between the two, which would serve a higher level of practicality? I know Afghanistan is mountainous, but Air Assault knowledge in a non-air assault unit would also be valuable. Which would you prefer? -photo unrelated-

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:27 PM

2016-02-15T13:27:41-05:00

The say that a picture is worth a thousand words but I guess that doesn't apply in this case. I really want to say Ranger but I'll try to help you out.

If it were me I would go to air assault. It adds a bit more credibility to you as a soldier. I'm not saying that MTN Warfare is any less than AA but it doesn't have the notoriety. People won't know what is expected of a person that went to MTN school. But AA would do that. If your packet goes to a promotion you might get a bit more noticed with AA.

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Feb 15 at 2016 1:27 PM

2016-02-15T13:27:59-05:00

BMWC!!! Then go AA!

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Feb 15 at 2016 1:30 PM

2016-02-15T13:30:11-05:00

For military purposes I would go to BMWC in my opinion.

Why?
Simple think of it in a strategic way. If you where took over seas to a terrain with includes a lot of mountain training etc that is very handy but if your unit where to be utilizing birds. That part of the training comes with it and you can always ask to get sent to air assault given that your units or state has the budget to do so and or if they have available slots. With that being said there is no one or the other either way you go or course you take you will still be setting your self up for future endevears. Most importantly follow your gut instincts it will never guide you wrong no matter what people say. Best wishes to you !

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:30 PM

2016-02-15T13:30:35-05:00

Go mountain

Response by SGT(P) Eric L. made Feb 15 at 2016 1:31 PM

2016-02-15T13:31:02-05:00

I went to basic mountain warfare school and advanced mountain warfare school, I never went to Air Assault school but I was in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. We received all the air Assault training you get at the school but just didn't get the badge. The Mountain Warfare training served me better in the Army and has continued to serve me now that I am out. It's not just mountain climbing they teach you life saving survival skills.

I would go with Mountain Warfare School, it's going to look nice on your ERB and it's skills you can use in the civilian world. Just think ahead before making any decisions.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 15 at 2016 1:36 PM

2016-02-15T13:36:29-05:00

AA - even if you 10th Mountain some of the rappelling will carry over.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-02-15T13:48:45-05:00

Mountain at CEATs? We train there 1-2 times a year in the late Wintrr/ early Spring, it's chilly!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:53 PM

2016-02-15T13:53:10-05:00

Mountain warfare school as it is harder to get a seat it that school than AASLT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:54 PM

2016-02-15T13:54:31-05:00

Mountain warfare! Everything you need to learn about sling load and air assault Ops you can easily learn from the manual. Mountain warfare school requires hands on learning and is practical in more situations than air assault or sling loads ops

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:56 PM

2016-02-15T13:56:22-05:00

Mountain warfare is harder to get into and more elite. Especially because I hear through an AG friend they are going to authorize the rams head badge, supposedly the CSA already signed off on it. You can get to air assault from Hawaii, Drum, Campbell, Bragg, or a few other places. Or even do it as a re-up thing, mountain warfare you really can't.

Response by 1SG Todd Sullivan made Feb 15 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-02-15T14:04:22-05:00

Having done both I will put it to you like this... AA is pretty easy to get most anywhere, several duty stations have there own AA schools on post, MTN warfare gives you a unique opportunity. As a 1SG in 10th Mountain it was actually difficult to get my Soldiers slots for that school, and watching that course develope the last 15 years I was in I was extremely impressed with the level of professionalism put forth by the instructors and the course material was helpful. Taking what you might call a refresher, the sub terrain, training was actually valuable my last tour to Afghanistan in 2010... So really if you have the opportunity seize it and work yourself to an AA slot in the future. Just my opinion, but having been in the position to sit in boards and select Soldiers for promotion... It is my suggestion to you. Hope my rambling helped.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 15 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-02-15T14:19:54-05:00

Do both!

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Feb 15 at 2016 2:35 PM

2016-02-15T14:35:10-05:00

Mountain course, most practical

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Feb 15 at 2016 2:53 PM

2016-02-15T14:53:09-05:00

If you can get Mountain Warfare, go for it. There are plenty of Air Assault schools but Mountain Warfare is small and a unique opportunity. In a light infantry unit, there will probably be several with the AA badge but probably not the same with Mountain Warfare.

Response by CPT T. Scott Haddix made Feb 15 at 2016 4:18 PM

2016-02-15T16:18:25-05:00

Not sure about the Army's mountain warfare school. I went to the Marines school in Bridgeport, CA. Mtn phase of RANGER school was helpful. I don't see any advantage of Air Assault school training for Afghanistan, unless you're sling-loading a lot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 4:24 PM

2016-02-15T16:24:02-05:00

Mountain

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Feb 15 at 2016 5:39 PM

2016-02-15T17:39:16-05:00

Basic Military mountaineering course!

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 15 at 2016 7:30 PM

2016-02-15T19:30:21-05:00

As a NG Soldier, definitely do Basic Mountain Warfare course. It is pretty easy to get Air Assault slots (at least it used to be). West Point runs an Air Assault course for the Cadets and Soldiers...we always had open slots for Soldiers. You should definitely do both schools if you get the chance though!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 15 at 2016 8:15 PM

2016-02-15T20:15:11-05:00

If I had to pick. I would pick the mountain course as it is the harder and most lessons of the two.

Response by SSG Duane Tyler made Feb 16 at 2016 7:45 AM

2016-02-16T07:45:34-05:00

I'm not sure what's in the lesson plan for the Basic Mountain Warfare Course but I went to the Rappelling and Mountaineering Course on Cheju-Do Island, Korea in 1990 then the Air Assault School at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in 1996. Looking back at it, I think both skillsets go hand in hand when it comes to safety, strength, technique and knowledge and perhaps the most important of all is, how to react when you are cognizant of your situational awareness. I think Air Assault would be more practical because of its logistical purposes ie. rapid deployment/extraction of personnel, supplies and other tangible assets.

Response by SGT Stephen Comereski made Feb 16 at 2016 7:54 AM

2016-02-16T07:54:42-05:00

Mountain warfare definitely.... We're going to be in the middle East for a long time so, any type of Desert or mountain warfare training would be way more valuable. A simple fast rope class would suffice to make up for the lack of air assault training.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 8:02 AM

2016-02-16T08:02:56-05:00

If you can do both I'd say do that but if you have to choose mountain is the way to go. You have to look at how often each class comes open to your unit, if Mountain Warfare School only opens up once in a while and Air Assault opens all the time them mountain is the best choice because you may not get that opportunity again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 8:32 AM

2016-02-16T08:32:48-05:00

Air assault all the way..you have to be physically and mentally prepare for both but Air Assault will follow you forever. It's not just the physical part of it that separate you to the course but the mental part of it. Attention to detail is a must otherwise you will not make it to Air Assault.

Response by MSG Michael Jackson made Feb 16 at 2016 8:47 AM

2016-02-16T08:47:38-05:00

Mountain Warfare for sure. After 22 years as an Infantryman I never got a slot for this school. 5 days after arriving to Fort Campbell I was in AAS and earned my wings.

Response by 1SG Andrew Bowman made Feb 16 at 2016 8:58 AM

2016-02-16T08:58:00-05:00

Both are invaluable to the career soldier. I went to Ft. Campbell Air Assault School back in the mid 80's as an MP, and Basic Mtn. Warfare as a Light Infantry Soldier in the late 80's. There is quite a bit of difference, but also some overlap. If given the opportunity - do both! Never turn down any military school training - it all enhances your career!!!

Response by SSG Eddie “JD” Brown made Feb 16 at 2016 9:18 AM

2016-02-16T09:18:03-05:00

Mountain warfare is tough as hell after going through it I went through a tough mudder in WA back in 90 and smoked it! I was already ait assault trained it was tough but not as tough to get into or accomplish

Response by SFC Jon Vandeyacht made Feb 16 at 2016 9:42 AM

2016-02-16T09:42:50-05:00

Having done both, I would say go with Air Assault first. There is so much more you can do with Air mobile. You could also be the SME in your unit/battalion if your not in an a 101st unit. While in Iraq, while in the 82nd having previously come from the 101, I supervised and signed off on many sling loaded loads to go to the different fobs and checkpoints that our battalion had Soldiers at.
WTH can you realistically do with the other course? NOTHING unless your in USASOC and if you were, they would send you anyway, if you were going to do anything that involves mountains.
Don't take a course because it is cool, That is the most stupid thing you can do. Take courses that you can use, courses that will actually look good, ie usable, as a current Soldier. I had a chance to go to HALO while I was a CBRNE NCO in an Infantry Brigade. I talked to CSMs, MSGs, CMF managers and ended up passing up on the course. It would have done me NO good and actually would have looked bad as I would have never ever used it in my job and the decision makers would have looked at it more as ... me wasting training dollars and time.
Make a smart choice and chose a course that you can/will use now, or would give you a huge advantage over your civilian counterparts after you get out when competing for a job. But don't take a course because it 'looks cool'. No one like badge hunters, but love those with something to bring to the table for the current mission.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 10:31 AM

2016-02-16T10:31:02-05:00

Mountain Warfare hands down.

Response by SFC Sean Carlson made Feb 16 at 2016 10:39 AM

2016-02-16T10:39:18-05:00

Hi,

I have gone through Air Assault in Ft. Campbell, KY as well as attending the Assault climber Course (ACC) at Ft. Wainwright, AK. I can tell you hands down the ACC is better. Plus, if nothing else, go for the view! Sitting on a peak after climbing it is fantastic. I liked it so much, they offered me the chance to be an assistant instructor for a class after I went through the basic course. We did another couple weeks, I think 3, of training to be able to teach. Then another 3 weeks teaching a class. Over all, I got to spend several months running around mountains and traversing glaciers. Best time I had in the service hands down.

Word of advice, boil the glacier water. It look and and tastes great, but there’s a bacteria in the snow, looks red sometimes like paprika, which can give some people the stomach problems.

Even though I loved flying in the choppers, chinooks not so much, the mountain class is SOOOO much better. Literally, if you get the chance, take it, unless you have an aversion to heights that is.

Sean R. Carlson, SFC, USA, Retired

Response by SFC Timothy Dutcher made Feb 16 at 2016 11:02 AM

2016-02-16T11:02:27-05:00

Having been to both, there are positive aspects to either which would be helpful in your career. Given the greater access to air assault though, I would guess you could bring more back to your unit if you went to the mountain warfare course. You would gain more experience with terrain association over dead reckoning, more in depth techniques about climbing and and descents with actual terrain features as your props, not helicopters and walls, and different types of basic survival techniques in mountainous environments. You would learn a few unique skills you could share with your unit not taught in air assault school. Given the access to air assault school is generally easier, it should be a factor in your immediate decision of school choices.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Feb 16 at 2016 11:11 AM

2016-02-16T11:11:37-05:00

Take 'em both. If you're at Ft Campbell AASLT is a given. If you're with the 10th Mountain I suspect that it will be easy to get a slot for the class.

The more schools you go to the better off you are. I went to Combat Lifesaver (even though I had no interest in it) because there were two open slots and the training NCO couldn't get anyone to agree to go... I wanted airborne school so I took any class he asked me to in the hope that when an airborne slot opened up he would keep me in mind.

When I got to Korea every range had to have either a medic or a combat lifesaver... I was the only one, so I got to go to every single range... free shooting with unlimited bullets every other month. You never know what class will pay off in the future, so take every class you can.

Response by SFC Jerry Watson made Feb 16 at 2016 11:16 AM

2016-02-16T11:16:11-05:00

While Air Assault school will look good for promotion boards, mountain training would be more practical, you are most likely to be in an area of the word, where mountain training could mean the difference between life and death, and not just for you, but your fellow soldiers, the training I think will be more intense in Mountain Tx., more emphasis on survival then rappelling.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-02-16T11:43:07-05:00

Mountain warfare is a better course and harder to get into as stated. If you have the option, take that one. If you end up in a unit that requires Air Assault, they will send you.

Response by SSG Patricia Ray made Feb 16 at 2016 1:12 PM

2016-02-16T13:12:51-05:00

I would go for Air Assault! but both would be GREAT.

Response by CPT Brian Archer made Feb 16 at 2016 1:14 PM

2016-02-16T13:14:43-05:00

I have both and used the Mountain Warfare much more. The skills taught in VT are more transferable.

Response by SGT Wade Hults made Feb 16 at 2016 1:55 PM

2016-02-16T13:55:11-05:00

From a strategic standpoint, having mountain warfare training prior to Afghanistan operations would be more practical if you could get into the school. From what I have heard, that is a difficult school to get into. Air Assault school would also be useful as another tool to move the mission forward. I certainly learned some good things when I went there at Ft. Campbell.

So, to be succinct, I would choose Mountain Warfare over Air Assault if given the choice. I would take either if only one were offered.

Response by SSG Richard Gaytan made Feb 16 at 2016 2:48 PM

2016-02-16T14:48:04-05:00

Neither! They are both valuable. Train is the same in Nam, Troops can be lower into valleys and Helicopters can use one skid on pinnacle. VN crewchief 70-71 92nd Aslt Hel Co.

Response by SSG Jerry Eidson made Feb 16 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-02-16T14:49:04-05:00

Take the mountain warfare course there is a lot more opportunities for air assault

Response by MSG Carl Clark made Feb 16 at 2016 3:06 PM

2016-02-16T15:06:13-05:00

I say go for the basic mountain warfare. Air Assault and Airborne are great wings to have, might even have great application on today's battlefield, but mountain skills KSA's will be put to use more often and will serve as valuable life long skills. Besides, gravity sports off things that fly often cause the injuries that either are career Enders and/or cause injuries that make veterans suffer long after they are out. You could fall off a mountain, you will fall out of a helicopter with varying degrees of success.

Response by PFC Jim Linton made Feb 16 at 2016 3:54 PM

2016-02-16T15:54:19-05:00

Mountain warfare

Response by 1SG Eric Trainer made Feb 16 at 2016 4:26 PM

2016-02-16T16:26:34-05:00

I would go for air assult as those skills will transfer be\er to a pending deployment

Response by SFC Nyla Newville made Feb 16 at 2016 4:38 PM

2016-02-16T16:38:33-05:00

Not all of Afghanistan is mountainous, for getting around there is easier by air. The roads are piss poor and IED's are everywhere there is a track, or trail. The stronger we make our vehicles the more powerful they make the IDE's. I rather go in by air, and get out by air.

Response by CPT Russ Jones made Feb 16 at 2016 4:48 PM

2016-02-16T16:48:17-05:00

I went to Northern Warfare in the late 1990s, which was a basic military mountaineering course at Ft. Greely, AK. It was great training, and I'd choose it again. That being said, I have never been to Air Assault school.

Response by SGT Keldrick McGary made Feb 16 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-02-16T16:55:24-05:00

BMWC is more practical.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 16 at 2016 5:31 PM

2016-02-16T17:31:47-05:00

Look at it like this. Both are useful, apply for both. Air assault has a number of venues that you can attend in, thus are more likely to get into quicker and be done with. It is, from memory 2-3 weeks long. You complete it and return to your unit and await the more arduous one. If nothing else what it does is opens other doors that might allow a quicker approach to getting into Mountain Warfare School.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Feb 16 at 2016 6:33 PM

2016-02-16T18:33:01-05:00

if they've added a badge for duty uniforms for mountain, flip a coin. if not go for AA, it's the system of the badge on duty uniform, unless you have a cdr that says "take those off so that you don't embarress me"

having Jump Wings and EFMB in units where nobody had anything was just everything

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made Feb 16 at 2016 6:45 PM

2016-02-16T18:45:11-05:00

I would do air assault, because you will use it more. And after that you can get into, Jump school with that a lot easer.

Response by SSG Gregory Dean "Iceman" White made Feb 16 at 2016 6:59 PM

2016-02-16T18:59:19-05:00

SPC Zachary, Your thinking is like most, however as all the other Officers and NCO's have stated. AASLT Tng can be done from most anywhere in the World and is one that you can learn from books. Mountain Training is not, Harder to ba accepted and pass than to just be doing. If you are aforded and have the opportunity to choose. I'd choose Mountain Training.

Response by CSM George Gattone made Feb 16 at 2016 7:39 PM

2016-02-16T19:39:37-05:00

Having attended both the winter and summer mountain warfare phases when it was a requirement to do both I highly recommend it. The instruction and instructors were the best I experienced in my 30 year career. Did I use anything when deployed to Afghanistan? Yes and no...did I or anyone from our battalion climb or rappel? No, but we sure did understand how elevation affected operations above 5000' and included that knowledge into planning. Being retired for two years I still use knots and mountain walking techniques almost daily as I spend my days in the great outdoors!

Response by CPL Richard Flagg made Feb 16 at 2016 9:07 PM

2016-02-16T21:07:04-05:00

If able I advise doing both like a previous poster advised. Current operations in Afghanistan go more the Mountain Warfare School; then when back from deployment put in for AAST.

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Feb 16 at 2016 9:17 PM

2016-02-16T21:17:38-05:00

I attended the Basic Mountaineering Course in Alaska. At the Northern Warfare Training Center. Their course is based heavily on the one run by the guard out east. Everything I learned at that course I am using to this day. Simply being taught how to wear the ruck sack was invaluable as a medic in an infantry battalion. Simple things like that help on any ruck march. I can't speak about Air Assault. From a promotion standpoint, both will set you apart from your peers. Since the mountaineering course is harder to get into, it may carry a bit more weight. Hope this helps.

(I wish I had been able to wear that ram's head badge.)

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Feb 16 at 2016 10:57 PM

2016-02-16T22:57:11-05:00

Definitely the air assault course. You are taught more things that you can use in other units that's not air assault.

Response by SFC Benjamin Varlese made Feb 17 at 2016 12:13 AM

2016-02-17T00:13:43-05:00

Go with the Military Mountaineering (mtn warfare) course. Opportunities for air assault will be more prevalent and practical knowledge gained such as winter/wilderness survival is invaluable in both military and civilian life. Just be sure to be in shape for either

Response by SGT Chris Moore made Feb 17 at 2016 12:23 AM

2016-02-17T00:23:14-05:00

Air Assault

Response by SSG Edward Geer made Feb 17 at 2016 12:58 AM

2016-02-17T00:58:37-05:00

Personally, if I was still in I would go with the Basic Mountain Warfare.

Response by SPC Roland Flynn made Feb 17 at 2016 1:03 AM

2016-02-17T01:03:25-05:00

Depends on your long term goals. Air assault has the most use post service, Mountain warfare has the most use in service

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:05 AM

2016-02-17T01:05:13-05:00

No brainer. Mtn Warfare.
My opinion, they should axe AASLT. No need for it. Pathfinder is a much more useful school and provides the depth of skill a Soldier needs to suoport the mission. AASLT is kind of silly really.

Response by SSG Martin Reyna made Feb 17 at 2016 7:19 AM

2016-02-17T07:19:27-05:00

Definitely Mountain warfare. In my opinion they go hand in hand.. having air assault and mountain warfare is ideal.

Response by SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates made Feb 17 at 2016 12:36 PM

2016-02-17T12:36:45-05:00

Answer 2 questions and you will have your answer:
Question 1 - Which one sounds more "fun" to you as far as the activities you would be doing to use the training itself?

Question 2 - Which one looks to be more versatile in the job field you would use after your military service is over?

Use the two answers to guide your decision and the problem is solved assuming all other variables are the same. If it were me, I'd take the mountain warfare training simply because it would give me survival skills in mountain terrain along with the warfare strategy training that would accompany mission readiness training. I'd be far more likely to use this training after my military career was over if I were in that position.

see my logic? Now work through your own. Good luck.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 17 at 2016 4:40 PM

2016-02-17T16:40:00-05:00

Air Assault becomes ground warfare (Mountain Warfare), also read and memorise Zun Tzu The Art of War andField Manual 100-20 - Military Operations in Low Intensity Conflict, and learn to use Women as a Weapon System.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 18 at 2016 3:20 PM

2016-02-18T15:20:02-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member - Spec; I'm with the majority on this one - go "Mountain" first (both if you can swing it).

"Mountain" is more about what YOU can do, "Air Assault" is more about what your helicopter can do.

Face it, a helicopter is simply a "flying truck" when you come right down to it.

Response by SGT Rafael Morales made Feb 18 at 2016 6:22 PM

2016-02-18T18:22:45-05:00

Get the basis first and then everything else. Any combat training will help stay alive

Response by SGT John Steiner made Feb 18 at 2016 7:27 PM

2016-02-18T19:27:25-05:00

In reguards to the question at hand. Both would be the best answer I think. To have personel qualified in both disciplines would be a greater asset, or even half and half. As long as the unit in question can perform its duties in the terrain in question.

Response by PVT John Schultz made Feb 21 at 2016 2:48 AM

2016-02-21T02:48:26-05:00

Boom

Response by CPL Pete Kirby made Feb 21 at 2016 1:14 PM

2016-02-21T13:14:21-05:00

Air assault would be more effective,more so if speed or a blocking force is needed.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Feb 23 at 2016 11:20 PM

2016-02-23T23:20:19-05:00

The both a good school, but i still like air assault better.

Response by CW4 Raymond Younger made Mar 3 at 2016 5:48 PM

2016-03-03T17:48:12-05:00

Are you going to Vermont for mountain school or Northern Warfare School in Alaska? The one in Vermont is very hard & as folks mentioned tough to get seats, too. Having done both, Alaska / Vermont, VT was more challenging & rewarding. We used to wear a white/blue triangle on our uniforms, but the Army got rid of that stuff. Both schools prepped for courses & JCETs with NATO counterparts in Germany, Austria, Spain and Italy. AASLT will be offered to you again, but is one of the more practical courses the Army offers. You'll conduct helo ops in Alaska with a different perspective. Times I spent in Alaska helped me/my squad, platoon....Division, plus a couple REFORGER exercises rounded out knowledge. When it comes to the cold, the Army doesn't spread the knowledge. You'll be a hinge pin. Taking care of people & equipment in the cold is essential. Too bad Jungle School isn't down in Panama any longer, but such schools must be more prevalent in the Army, not just for Infantry, but lotty dotty everybody. In the words of Mountain School: gone but not forgotten! DOL--Ray

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 9:18 AM

2016-04-07T09:18:33-04:00

...

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Jul 23 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-07-23T13:46:18-04:00

Having spent the vast majority of my service assigned to 3-172IN (MTN), the unit that runs the MWS at Ethan Allen Firing Range, I am glad to see the school is thought highly of among Active duty and other units. I still know plenty of the cadre there at the school and some of them used skills taught in the school on the 86thIBCT deployment in 2010.

Echoing others, if you get a slot to MWS, GO. Air Assault slots will come up much more in your career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2022 4:05 AM

2022-10-23T04:05:22-04:00

Air assault teaches you about yourself and what you can accomplish