What do you wish you knew before going to Air Assault school?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 10:53:19 -0500

I'm slotted for Air Assault school in 94 days. What do you wish you knew before you showed up? What was your Air Assault experience. Where did you attend Air Assault school? What are your thoughts on the course?

Thanks for sharing!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 11:06 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:06:46 -0500

I attended in 2005 at THE Sabalauski Air Assault School. Biggest thing to prep is do a ton of overhead arm claps and flutter kicks, make sure your packing list is perfect. Everything else will be taught there.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 24 at 2018 11:32 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:32:25 -0500

SSG Jeffery Carroll pretty much nailed it. If you are going to Sabalauski, the obstacle course requires a good bit of upper body strength and the road march isn't a place to break in a new set of boots. As noted below, they are extremely picky about the packing list and God help you with you finish the Ruck March without all the prescribed gear.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 24 at 2018 11:44 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:44:47 -0500

The school is not difficult if you can follow directions. Do exactly what they tell you how they tell you to do it and you should be fine. I wont address the physical stuff because that should already be known to you by now and I am 20 years removed from when I went...geesh I feel old now

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 24 at 2018 12:18 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:18:28 -0500

I attended back in 1983 so I imagine things have changed. However, I recently spoke to a guy from my unit who attended AAS at Fort Bliss. Here what hasn't changed. PAY ATTENTION to detail. The packing list and every other instruction you get must be followed to the letter. No diversion in any way. My best advice, is pay attention, pay attention and pay attention. Everything thing, no matter how small needs to be completed exactly how they want it.

Good luck.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 12:39 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:39:49 -0500

Get ready for the Y Squat and mountain climber 1000+ reps daily

Response by SGT Robert Mcfadden made Jan 24 at 2018 12:43 PM

SGT Robert Mcfadden — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:43:52 -0500

Be very ready for zero day! Listen listen and pay attention. And don't mix cotton with nylon lol.

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 24 at 2018 2:28 PM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 14:28:33 -0500

I have several friends who have gone and like everyone else here has said it is maybe one of the most specific schools out there. Packing list has to be perfect down to the T. If it says black socks take black socks not green, so on and so on. Every instruction has to be followed to the T as well. If they say tie your boot laces with the left lace under the right do it haha

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 24 at 2018 3:01 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 15:01:25 -0500

I attended last century, so I am certain things have changed between then and now.
The only thing that I can say I would have wanted before hand was practice. My unit was pretty good about preparing me.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 3:47 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 15:47:22 -0500

Try to get your hands on some of the phase 1 material. The phase 1 test is a good amount of memorization. Phase 2 and 3 are sling load and repelling/FRIES. They will teach you everything you need to know at the school house. You can familiarize yourself with sling load inspections via YouTube videos. FAMILIARIZE, don’t try to learn sequences until you’re taught by the Black Shirts.

I went in 2013 at Ft. Campbell. Not a difficult course. Just be ready to ruck 12 miles in under 3 hours and get over any fear of heights you may have.

Good luck!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jan 24 at 2018 3:48 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 15:48:32 -0500

This was very new when I was in (1968) and were it known to me I would have gone.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Jan 24 at 2018 4:48 PM

COL Dana Hampton — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:48:48 -0500

Good school. I completed AASLT school at Ft Campbell in the mid-80's. I doubt they changed how they teach. Though I suspect there are a few different sling configurations and link counts as equipment has changed over the years.

Have an eye for detail. Learn to inspect for defects and deficiencies. Study the material they give you daily. Show up ready for Zero day. Practice the obstacles if possible. I saw equal numbers of Soldiers get bounced from the course for not keeping up on the PT aspects as I saw send home as academic failures.

Pay attention and do what you're told when you're told and how you're told and things will work out fine. If you're an NCO or Officer, don't expect any preferential treatments from the instructors. They will give your rank proper courtesy, but don't be surprised if you're pulling a police call with the troops... it's character-building!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 4:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:54:31 -0500

Attention to detail. Also make you sure always have your packing list.

Easy school it's the little things that get ppl kicked out until they quit.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 6:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 18:15:59 -0500

better be able to climb a rope. after that, read and stay awake. it's 3 days of training packed into 2 weeks.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 8:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 20:44:50 -0500

I attended AAS at Fort Hood in Nov17. The course is not hard if you pay close attention to everything you are taught. Practice climbing a rope as you will be pretty well worked by the time you hit the O course. Spend time learning the packing list and the layout. I rolled everything up in my poncho minus the bulky items and stuffed it in my ruck, when it came time to do the layout I literally unrolled the poncho and everything was in its place, done in less than 3/4 mins every time.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 24 at 2018 10:14 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:14:26 -0500

How to climb a rope... I was not good at it, and had to learn.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 12:00 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:00:53 -0500

To be more prepared when I first got there.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 10:46 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:46:02 -0500

As you can see, the packing list is a big thing, almost everyone has mentioned it. My Section Sergeant in 2 Cav went to AAS, finished his 12 miler (the last thing you do) and then proceeded to layout his equip for the final inspection. Well, his dog tag chain broke DURING THE ROAD MARCH and he was dropped from the course, literally hours from graduation.

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Jan 25 at 2018 1:48 PM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:48:11 -0500

I went to the school that is located at Schofield Barracks, HI. It was great, i had a great time. it was very physical and i did learn a lot during the sling-load phase of training. I graduated back in 1991. Have fun and enjoy.

Response by SGT Quentin Moore made Jan 25 at 2018 3:46 PM

SGT Quentin Moore — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 15:46:46 -0500

Ft Campbell KY

Response by CPL Dave L made Jan 25 at 2018 8:05 PM

CPL Dave L — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 20:05:26 -0500

Considering I completed AAS over 35 years ago I can’t remember

Response by CPL Dave L made Jan 25 at 2018 8:07 PM

CPL Dave L — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 20:07:11 -0500

Considering it has been over 35 years I cannot remember

Response by SP5 Phil Woodard made Jan 25 at 2018 8:44 PM

SP5 Phil Woodard — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 20:44:53 -0500

all air to ground was done in Ft. Benning when I was in the army as air medic.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 11:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 23:05:12 -0500

Its a school used to justify the 101st having a badge. You probably wont learn anything that you will actually reatain and if you are actually trying to get good sling load training, go to the sling load inspectors course, as it is a far better course to teach the material.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jan 26 at 2018 8:13 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 08:13:50 -0500

I wish that I could have attended Air Assault school...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 10:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:24:52 -0500

There’s nothing particularly difficult about the course at all. What gets people is attention to detail.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 3:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 15:45:47 -0500

First - I went to AirAssault School at Ft Campbell and thought before it was just another army school. Later found out, after everybody kept calling it "The" AirAssault School, that it indeed it says The AirAssault School on the Repel Tower. With that said I feel like I got better training there but all of the schools are the same.
What to expect? Corporal punishment! lol! Seriously though, it is important to pay attention to detail. If any one person is not in uniform for what ever reason it sticks out like a sore thumb. Being together as a single team is important. Detail will be important when you get to Phase 2 Sling Loads.
Make sure you find all the defaults on the A22 cargo bag "The Green Monster" on the ground 1st before climbing on top for the rest. Make sure that you are prepared to do a 6-mile ruck march with about 45 pound "ish" in less than 1 1/2 hours. At the same time be prepared to do a 12-mile ruck march with the same weight in less than 3 hours. Yes it means you will have to run some of it.

Any questions in particular - just ask

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 2:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 14:51:27 -0500

I went through Air Assualt School in 2011. It was a great school! It was difficult, but you must pay attention to detail!! We lost a third of the class on the sling load test. Not because it’s hard, but because soldiers didn’t pay attention. Focus on your physical training now in preparation, that way you won’t be as fatigued when you go through the course and you can focus on learning. Good luck.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jan 27 at 2018 3:18 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 15:18:25 -0500

The biggest surprise your going to run into is this school is not BASIC or AIT. They do not care if you fail the school and it is up to you to take initiative to study during the slingloading phase and you had better study during that phase at least a little. You also need to arrive with all the items on the packing list and as clean as CIF issued them to you or cleaner................Ft Campbell graduate before they introduced the luxury items of a indoor classroom, water fountains and indoor plumbing.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 3:32 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 15:32:34 -0500

Physical fitness is key. Gets lots of sleep for the brain games

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 7:45 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 07:45:32 -0500

Sling load class before would make it easier. Also be fit

Response by SGT Lee Oien made Feb 11 at 2018 3:00 PM

SGT Lee Oien — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 15:00:54 -0500

Disclaimer- I attended back in '87 (Ft. Campbell)! The daily inspection of equipment seemed to catch many off guard. Get your gear in order and in good shape. Be prepared for the road marches. There is a ton of information to absorb and skills to master. Prepare to do some studying at night to prep for the next day. I went to Airborne later that year. Air Assault school was much more physically and mentally challenging school - even if the Jump wings are generally more sought after.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Feb 12 at 2018 11:58 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:58:55 -0500

I went to Air Assault school in January 97 at Campbell. I forgot my canteen to pt day 1, and was dropped as a safety violation. I went back a week later and was road march champ. 12 miles in a 1 hour 50 minutes. It was cool as I was in the 101st but if given the choice and not in the 101st, I would have chosen a better school like Pathfinder.

Response by COL John McClellan made Feb 12 at 2018 12:25 PM

COL John McClellan — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:25:35 -0500

That Air Assault school - at least when I attended - is equal parts mental preparation as well as physical. Many of the graded events are about brainpower, and not muscles! It's much more mentally engaging than is generally understood.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Feb 12 at 2018 11:56 PM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 23:56:14 -0500

That I could've gone to Airborne School instead? LOL, just kidding. GET IN SHAPE!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 8:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:43:45 -0500

During my days the word Air Assault wasn't invented yet, it was called Air Insertion/Extraction by Helo. And yes, sometimes the HU1 skids didn't touch the ground when dropping off, that was rough when a 65#+ ruck was on your back. Oh, no doors on the choppers, or weren't closed at anytime, for some reason they took the doors off.

Response by SP5 Albert Sturgill made Feb 17 at 2018 3:45 PM

SP5 Albert Sturgill — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:45:45 -0500

Was cake went 2-3 months out of basic

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 3:15 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 15:15:43 -0500

I knew you had to tie knots. So I didn't bother.

Response by SPC Mario Owen made Mar 11 at 2018 7:29 PM

SPC Mario Owen — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 19:29:00 -0400

Pay attention in the sling portion. We had more nogos from that than other phases.

Response by SSG Brian MacBain made Mar 23 at 2018 5:38 PM

SSG Brian MacBain — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:38:30 -0400

I see some had mentioned it. Yes, climbing a rope is a big deal and if you have not climb a rope, find one and put that into your PT. What I want to pass along is how you pack your rucksack. I went to AA school at Fort Campbell KY in 1997 and had a great mentor that showed me how to properly pack your rucksack. I am sure they still do this at all AA schools, but you have certain time limit to display properly your gear. If there is a issue that the instructor finds, you get dock points. If you acquire 40 points (I believe that was the magic number) you are gone. Pay attention and do what they tell you and you should be good to go.

Response by COL Richard Bloss made Apr 3 at 2018 5:06 PM

COL Richard Bloss — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:06:31 -0400

Make sure you are in great physical shape. Get a copy of the latest version of the air assault handbook from the school you are attending and study it. Get to know your classmates to work and study together.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 1:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 01:34:38 -0400

I went in 92 at Camp Grueber OK. bring some nuclear chapsticks and some body glide. Attention to detail is king. Triple check the packing list. Athletic tape and some prewrap. Darn Tough socks. A VT company and there are indestructible. Send a note to Rick Cabot and I bet he squares you away. Air Assault. Looking forward to seeing your wings. Slingload. Slow the load down in your vision to avoid adrenaline blind spots for gigs.

Response by SSG Scott Anderson made Apr 8 at 2018 2:13 PM

SSG Scott Anderson — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 14:13:36 -0400

Sling load prep was the hardest thing for me, overall pretty easy course. Well back in the early 90’s at Fort Ord it was.

Response by CPT Steve Paxton made Apr 10 at 2018 2:47 PM

CPT Steve Paxton — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 14:47:48 -0400

Be in shape!!!

Response by SP5 Mike Campbell made Apr 16 at 2018 8:43 PM

SP5 Mike Campbell — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 20:43:22 -0400

I wish that I had been in better shape before reporting. A good school at Ft. Campbell. It was an adjustment for me. But, I loved it!

Response by SFC Kim Dary made Apr 22 at 2018 11:34 AM

SFC Kim Dary — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 11:34:11 -0400

I attended at Ft. Campbell in 1979 and would imagine it has changed significantly since then. That said, the common recommendations throughout this thread hold true. BE IN SHAPE, pay attention and follow directions 100%. I had finished Jungle School in Panama two months prior to attending and thought I was in good shape. I may have been but this course was very physical, indeed.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Apr 30 at 2019 10:58 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 10:58:40 -0400

Max sit ups push ups pull ups three mile run. Do nothing but prepare physically to the max every day seven days a week. You will be glad you did. Good luck!!!