I'm going to Air Assault school in about a month or so. I'm a skinny guy, 125 lbs 68". Any other skinny guys make it through? Tips?

2018-12-02T09:15:49-05:00

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 9:59 AM

2018-12-02T09:59:02-05:00

I had a friend do it and he was about the same build. He told me “don’t break yourself.” He said when you’re getting smoked, save the energy for the O Course.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 2 at 2018 9:59 AM

2018-12-02T09:59:44-05:00

As long as you can climb the rope on the zero day, you'll be fine. Just learn how to climb the rope using your legs (instead of relying on your upper body strength). After that, weight is immaterial.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 2 at 2018 10:31 AM

2018-12-02T10:31:21-05:00

Skinny has nothing to do with passing the course. It is seriously 90% mental. You can power through the physical stuff. Work on your upper body strength and you should be fine.

Most people fail out on the technical stuff. Pay attention to detail. That is critical. Follow the packing list to a T.

Good luck.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 11:21 AM

2018-12-02T11:21:09-05:00

Honestly lack of attention to detail was the biggest killer. Do exactly as they tell you to do when they tell you to do it and you will be fine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 4:11 PM

2018-12-02T16:11:58-05:00

Pay attention to detail and make sure your packing list is 100%. Just don’t quit either and you’ll be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-12-02T17:25:21-05:00

You'll do just fine, the weight of your gear will get you down the Fast Rope. When I was in the infantry, the skinny guys always have cover from the bullets, just stand or walk by the biggest guy in the platoon, a good Filipino friend of mine did, he came out fine, he's on my left.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-12-02T23:40:52-05:00

Size can be a plus and a minus; but the course is about mental toughness, physical stamina and grit. Go in prepared and mentally ready for the challenges. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and work to enhance and mitigate those during the course. O-Course, Technical and Road March are the wickets you must overcome. Focus on success and stay mentally positive throughout and you’ll find yourself victorious at the end of the Road March AA qualified

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 9:08 AM

2018-12-03T09:08:11-05:00

Army courses are designed with small and thin Soldiers in mind. Remember the cadence "If you want to be X, you gotta be thin."

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 10:03 AM

2018-12-03T10:03:05-05:00

Sling loads were the deal breaker in this course. Physical portion wasn’t that difficult. Everyone in the class passed the 12 miler. Just pay close attention when they’re explaining sling loads. Take the time to study them. Also, be able to climb a rope.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 3 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-12-03T10:34:48-05:00

While its been many years one thing I remember is day 0 Inspection. Make sure you pack what is on the list - black gloves mean black gloves - not coyote. As well when they say 2 pairs - don't pack three. There were a number of guys dropped for this kind of stuff and the spots were filled by home station guys - perk of being stationed at an AA school. At 125 while light it can be done. As well get a piece of rope and learn how to make a seat. For whatever reason many had issues making the seat in the giving time - I think it was two minutes. Day zero is a work out so be prepared and in shape.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 12:11 PM

2018-12-03T12:11:42-05:00

If you aren't 100 percent positive that you can climb the rope on the obstacle course, focus on your rope climbing technique and foot march before you go, and simply pay attention to detail during the course and you'll be fine.
During PT at the course the cadre love it when someone yells, "you can't smoke a rock." The other students, of course, will not care much for it.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Dec 3 at 2018 1:08 PM

2018-12-03T13:08:12-05:00

I was 125 lbs at 69" when I went to the school house. You'll do fine! Work on rope climbing and just be ready for the best worst 10 days of your life.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2018 6:48 PM

2018-12-07T18:48:18-05:00

The hardest part where majority of people drop out is the O-Course and Phase II testing. The O course if you know how to climb a rope you’re good. Phase II testing its all attention to detail, take advantage of all the time they give you to do practice runs on the loads.

Response by SSG Sofie Martinez made Jan 8 at 2019 12:41 PM

2019-01-08T12:41:03-05:00

Uh it’s not about how small you are, it about your will and your drive to earn your wings. I was 5’4” and about 114 lbs. I was one of of 4 females in the class. One of my team members was a Ranger.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 3:57 PM

2019-04-01T15:57:13-04:00

I am skinny, and was an Air Assault instructor. 170 lbs 76". Be strong and skinny. I am not that smart either, but my hard work pays off. It will pay off for you if you put forth the effort.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 7:13 PM

2019-04-01T19:13:58-04:00

The challenge at Air Assault School is not so much physical, but memorizing those temporary and permanent ties for sling-load.