What is Air Assault School like at Fort Campbell? What are some advice, tips and tricks?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:29:44 -0500

So me and my soldier are going to air assault school together I have some questions about it we are going to fort Campbell air assault school, I was issued the new airborne ruck at cif when I got here at fort Polk the packing list asks for the gen II mollie ruck, am I going to need that specific ruck or should I be good, and what is it like, do you guys have any advice, tips and tricks.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2023 10:43 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:43:19 -0500

One of the easier schools I have been too. Not sure about the ruck, but if you go by the list you can't go wrong. It's two weeks, borrow someone's gen 2 ruck. If their website packing list say gen 2, well...

Like most military schools I have been too, the cadre set the tone. There are 3 groups of cadre that classes rotate through. In my time, 1 group (my group) was gracious and did a lot of coaching, the other 2 (according to my Joe's and colleagues) were a little rougher to deal with and dished out more punishments. Either way, still an easy school. My advice is pay attention, study, don't be weak, and enjoy your time there.

The real challenge was trying to get distinguished honor graduate. It was damn hard getting perfect scores on all their written tests. I always missed 1 or 2. Well worth the achievement if you can make it though.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 1 at 2023 7:27 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 07:27:23 -0500

There are no tricks. They run everywhere and do lots of pushups, fitness is the key. If someone is meeting minimum fitness requirements and can’t run, they may have issues. It is a Team sport with individual results, sone do not make it.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 1 at 2023 8:23 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 08:23:18 -0500

AASLT is all about attention to detail. If they say Gen II, they mean Gen II. If they say l-shaped flashlight, they mean l-shaped flashlight. If they say running shoes, they mean running shoes. On day zero, 90% of those who were sent home were sent home because of packing list. Only a couple were due to failing physical requirements.

Throughout the course, about 95% of those failing out were sent home for attention to detail. Failed packing list / uniform; missed gigs on sling-load; showed up at wrong time; tied improper Swiss seat; failed tests; etc.

I was the least fit person in my course. I was literally the last person across the line on day zero who got in. I made it with a second and a half to spare. My 12 miler I made it with about 25 seconds to spare. The 4 mile run I fell back, but not out. And yet.....

Throughout the course, I was never the last one back when we had to run laps. I never quit when we got smoked. I never shirked my pull-ups on the way in or out. Etc. Physically, if you can make it through day zero, all you have to do from then on out I give it your best effort. That will be enough.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 1 at 2023 1:57 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 13:57:39 -0500

Look all items on the packing list are required if it doesn't offer substitutes. Show up with the wrong thing and they can and will send you back home! Attention to detail is supreme when dealing with Helicopters, sling loads, and everything the school teaches!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2023 3:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:59:24 -0500

I am about to go to class at Campbell soon also. I have been to Pathfinder, Airborne, and Ranger but Air Assault is truly the toughest school out there. You can't be a good leader without it. Okay, now to be honest. I have known LTs to blow though it. It is really what people say it is like. It is just about attention to detail. There is a study guide on the website. Just be able to pass the 4 mile run and you should be good.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2023 2:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:48:03 -0500

You're the back seat driver.