Top things to know/prepare for at Air Assault School?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 10:33:23 -0500

Just came down on orders for the 101st. I'm curious about what most people mess up on, or don't know prior to attending.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 7 at 2014 10:38 AM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 10:38:03 -0500

Be prepared for lots of PT and get your mind straight about the jumps and the natural pain that is forthcoming, because it is real.

The 101st has a very long and prominent tradition, while the 82nd is more pronounced and will fight to the death to claim its place above 101st, both are equally great in my opinion.

It has been 26 years since I went to air assault school, so I am sure there have been great and many changes since then, but just be sure to think of the benefits and enjoyment of accomplishment and be safe.

Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 11:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:40:41 -0500

Sergeant I've been asking some of my friends that went through Air Assault, the ones that passed anyways, and this what they told me: Day zero is going to be a lot of vigorous physical activity. They usually accept far more applicants than they have room for so they try to weed out the weak through PT, last longer than the guy to your right and left. The ruck march is the hardest part of the course. 12 miles in three hours or less. Inspection is key, on day zero the Air Assault Sergeants will lay out a very detailed and specific packing list that you must adhere to. If anything is missing, out of place, or deemed unserviceable the student will lose points and possibly be dropped. There are nine total obstacles, two are major and seven are minor. Fail two minors and you're gone, fail one major and you're gone. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 11:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 11:29:43 -0500

Air assault isnt hard at all. Day 0 sucks just cause they try and weed as many people out as they can between smoking you all morning and the obstacle course. They just changed the 6 mile ruck on day 1 to a go/no go instead of negative points. After that the biggest thing that gets people is the slingload test. People get in a rush then over look a deficiency. Just take your time and actually pay attention to what your looking at. There usually pretty obvious. Then you got some rappellin and fast roping thats pretty easy. Last day is the 12 mile.

Its really a easy school if you pay attention and act motivated.

Response by 1SG Don A. Guess made Jan 8 at 2014 5:53 PM

1SG Don A. Guess — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:53:02 -0500

I was a Senior Instructor there in the early 90's, so things most likely have changed some. Biggest thing that got people kicked is zero day obstacle course, make sure you can climb a rope. There are techniques that people can be taught to climb if they do not have a lot of upper body strength. If you need to know those contact me. The other big thing is phase 2, Rigging and Slingloading. Pay close attention to the inspection sequence that will be taught you and ALWAYS keep your hand on the load you are inspecting so you don't over look a deficiency. The last big one was not being able to complete the 12 miler in under 3 hrs. If you make sure your gear is clean and serviceable, pay attention to detail and stay motivated you will have no problem

Response by CPT Laurie H. made Jan 8 at 2014 6:25 PM

CPT Laurie H. — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 18:25:15 -0500

I worked with a bunch of Air Assault instructors this past summer. Other than the obvious physical fitness and sling load difficulties, the biggest problem for students seemed to be keeping their packing list items with them until the end of the ruck marches. One kid came in on the last day just for the 12-miler because he had forgotten his ID on the ruck the cycle before - don't do that.

Response by 1SG Don A. Guess made Jan 8 at 2014 7:09 PM

1SG Don A. Guess — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 19:09:42 -0500

Comment me at my Email, [login to see] . I will look for the technique online or I will have to make a video tomorrow for you

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 7:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 19:15:05 -0500

Biggest thing was the day 1-0 layouts. The final 12 mile ruck and the sling load tests. if you pay attention and practice you will be fine. I just graduated from the school before Christmas break.

Response by SSG Bryan Bailey made Jan 8 at 2014 9:01 PM

SSG Bryan Bailey — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:01:08 -0500

It's pretty simple really....make SURE you always have everything on your packing list! I can not stress this enough! Be ready to get smoked on day zero...and don't do anything stupid!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 4:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 04:49:59 -0500

Take advantage of the additional time theyll give you to go over slingloads. It might require staying on your own time but its worth it. Make sure you have everything on the packing list, especially on the 12 mile ruck. They waited until after the ruck to do the layout and if you were missing anything, you were dropped. So to complete it and pass and then get dropped because youre missing something simple like your canteen cup would be a shame. When I went through, the 12 miler was on graduation day, so dont be that guy! Other than that, just be ready to say "Air Assault" everytime your foot strikes the ground! good luck!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 5:55 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:55:08 -0500

Zero day can be challenging if you are not at a good level of fitness and have thin skin. Phase 1 (Pathfinder) does not usually have a high attrition rate. Phase 2 (Rigging/Sling Loading) usually accounts for the largest percentage of drops. Ensure you know the correct procedures for the varying pieces of equipment and talk yourself through the inspection. This helps to identify all the deficiencies. Phase 3 (Rappelling), unless you have an unknown fear of heights, or commit a grievous safety error, most people do fine. Have fun & good luck!

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Jan 11 at 2014 10:43 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 22:43:41 -0500

10 hardest days in the Army! Not really. Pretty easy just make sure you have your packing list squared away (spent 9 years at FT Campbell). More importantly do you have a direct assignment yet?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 11:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 11:34:51 -0400

Speaking at a former AASLT Instructor make sure you have everything on your packing list and you will be fine. Pay attention during the demonstrations for the O-Course and pay attention when you get to sling loads. Those are the two things that will get you booted out. Message me if you need anymore details. You know what unit you're going to yet?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 11:45 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 11:45:05 -0400

The Air Assault School on Fort Campbell has changed a great deal. Right now there is a huge push to get the 101st at 100% Air Assault Qualified. the obsticale that most people fail is the Tough One which consists of you climbing a Rope to a beam then climbing over that, walking across a series of wood beams then climbing an A frame to a log that has a climbing net drapped over and climbing down that It is a major obstacle which will get you disqualified immediatly if you fail it. Another obstacle that gets everyone is the belly over which is where you have jump from one beam over a log with out touching the log before your feet leave the beam. You must flip over the log and land. Your unit will send you to AASLT School as soon as you meet the prerequisites which is completing the Brigade level O-Course a 12 Mile Ruck in under 3 hours and an APFT.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 29 at 2014 1:28 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 01:28:46 -0500

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best !!!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 10:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:03:28 -0400

It's all about attention to detail that is what they preach and teach

Response by SFC Robert Luscomb made May 29 at 2016 10:04 PM

SFC Robert Luscomb — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:04:36 -0400

Be in shape, be ready to road March hard and learn how to identify the sounds of the various aircraft, you will like this school, I found the sling loading section to be pretty fun next to fast roping out of a Blackhawk. Good luck my friend and enjoy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 10:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:20:46 -0400

Go in good shape although physically it's not that bad. Always make sure your packing list is straight. Missing gear is probably the second biggest thing that send guys home. Biggest is by far sling load, just make sure to study and go through the motions. Look at what you tough and say it out loud when your inspecting. Lastly zero day is really just there to find out who wants to be there and who's unmotiveved or weak. Like I said go there in some form of shape and wanting to be there and zero days isn't really all that bad.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 10:27 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:27:12 -0400

When I went thru Air Assault the thing that got most people was the obstacle course. The tower got several and the confidence climb. You can schedule time to practice the course in several areas on post. The other thing was the packing list get in early and together a day or two prior to the course.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 10:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:30:17 -0400

Number one and two reason for failing out both occur on day zero. Failure to climb the rope during the obstacle course. Improper packing list. The third and less common mistake is failure to pass the ruck march. Other than that just do what the Air Assault Sergeants tell you to do. It's not that hard of a school.

Response by SGT Callen Pool made May 29 at 2016 10:40 PM

SGT Callen Pool — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:40:35 -0400

Sling load inspection was what most people in my class messed up on

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 10:47 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:47:22 -0400

12 mile ruck. 35 lb. less than 40 min. Nothing else should stop you. They teach you everything you need to know at the school. Clear your schedule and live the school for those two weeks. It's not hard. Just study, stay after for sling load practice and don't be in poor shape. It really is not a difficult school.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 11:05 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 May 2016 23:05:34 -0400

Air Assault is a two week vacation these days. At Campbell, your unit will make you do a twelve mile and the obstacle course in preparation, so you should be good to go there. Just have your packing list squared away, and pay attention during sling load, and you'll be fine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 3:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 May 2016 03:21:27 -0400

-Ropes
-Attention to detail
-Touch what you see and see what you touch
- Inspection Sequence, they teach you the sequence; they know it don't try and come up with a better one in a few days
- Pack your packing list to the standard, zip your zippers, button your bottuns
- Say Air Assault as much as possible and be motivated
- Don't be a B.... On the ruck and you'll be fine
Rangers Lead The Way

Response by SSG Leroy Farmer made May 30 at 2016 4:32 PM

SSG Leroy Farmer — Mon, 30 May 2016 16:32:43 -0400

Practice rope climbing. Some soldiers have the upper body strength to climb the rope like a squirrel. Most soldiers need to learn how to lock-in the rope with your feet so you can use leg and upper body strength to get to the top of the rope.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 5:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 May 2016 17:21:48 -0400

SGT, The thing that gets people on Day 0 is not being able to pass the obstacle course. I'd say the thing that you need to worry about the most is making sure that you are there on time in the right uniform. Make sure that you pay attention to the little details. The instructors tell you what is needed. Also, your unit should also prep you before heading to Air Assault school.

Response by SSG Kenneth Suarez made Jun 18 at 2016 6:29 PM

SSG Kenneth Suarez — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:29:02 -0400

Flutter kicks are the key to AA school. That, and not touching the ground during sling phase

Response by SGT Brian Littrel made Jun 18 at 2016 8:39 PM

SGT Brian Littrel — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 20:39:55 -0400

Don't make friends with Double Zero.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 10:17 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 10:17:17 -0400

Phase II got most Soldiers in my class. Best advice I could give for phase II is "See what you touch and touch what you see"....slow down and think, there is plenty of time allotted to inspections on the loads.

Response by SFC Jim Farr made Jun 19 at 2016 12:44 PM

SFC Jim Farr — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:44:41 -0400

DON'T let your gloves touch the ground

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 4:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 04:19:58 -0400

Missing gear on day one sends people home.

Response by Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 11:03 PM

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 23:03:53 -0400

SGT,

Going off what the rest of these guys have said, the piece of advice that helped me out the most was regarding inspecting loads. Look wherever your hands are, and feel EVERYTHING. the 1/4" cotton webbing looks almost exactly like the Type III Nylon (550 cord). They're both white, they just feel physically different. Just physically grab a hold of every single thing, and look at all inspectable pieces. Castellated nut not inverted, cam pin, dome nut, etc. Have it about six inches in front of your face. Two minutes doesn't seem like a whole lot of time to inspect loads, but it's plenty of time, even at a crawling pace. Practicing it, I was able to inspect the A-22 cargo bag almost four whole times in two minutes. Just make sure you have a good sequence for all of the items and you'll be good, sgt.

Response by SPC Paul Tucker made Jun 3 at 2017 11:51 PM

SPC Paul Tucker — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 23:51:48 -0400

Pay attention, read your manual, drink water so that you don't have to chug it all at one time. Practice climbing a rope, there is a technique to use your legs and not your arms' strength only. Practice saying "Air Assault". It is only ten days. You can do anything for ten days!

Response by Teresa Wise made May 14 at 2018 8:25 PM

Teresa Wise — Mon, 14 May 2018 20:25:59 -0400

Is it the soldiers responsibility to provide the chem lights for the air assault pack?

Response by CPT John Fourcade made Dec 29 at 2018 10:53 PM

CPT John Fourcade — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 22:53:48 -0500

When I went through, in 1979, we only had 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete the 12 mile road march on the last day.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2019 10:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 22:42:16 -0500

The rope climb surprisingly weeds out a ton of people. Then pay close attention to sling loading.

Response by SSG David Stafne made Jan 3 at 2019 6:59 PM

SSG David Stafne — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 18:59:54 -0500

Two things you DON’T want to wear in Air Assault School is Jump Wings and a Pathfinder Torch; the Instructors are intimated by Excellence!

Response by SPC Jim Nemeth made Jan 3 at 2019 9:08 PM

SPC Jim Nemeth — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:08:16 -0500

I would never diminish the efforts that earn the Air Assault wings. However Vietnam in country Air Assault / Airmobile training and many many combat helicopter assault missions do not qualify for retroactive active wings and for that matter not even the orginal 11th Air Assault/1st Cav gets those wings or any official wings. Note: 1 combat jump (no jump school) equals jump wings. Air crew wings were retroactive.
I would like to know why, and it isn't any obvious assumption.