What is Air Assault School like? Any tips?

Do it! Best of luck, pay attention to detail and enjoy.

Well, you joined the army, that had to be one of the toughest decisions you have ever made. Going to AASLT school is part of that decision. When you go, put caution to the wind and go for it! Right place, right time, right uniform, and highly motivated! Sound familiar? You will be faced with some pretty intense situations, you just have to do what needs to be done and take the pain as it comes. Oh! By the way, you get promotion points too! Have fun! SFC retired, ASSLT school graduate 1988.

I taught ethics at the ADA school, and it is a good branch overall. Any unit is as good as its leaders and some are great while others are dreadful...no surprise there. As one wise PFC told me, "It's not the Army that's the problem; it's the people in the Army."

Back in my younger days in 1978. The school was a lot of PT. Then the last few days was Repelling from the wall, learn to do your chocks to train from a Huey. It was fun to me. I know that times have change. Just set your mind to it and you will do great.

It has changed some. They do not "smoke you" before obstacles. I highly recommend getting on the o course before you actually go to the school. if this is not possible, Absolutely smoke yourself, then climb the rope every time. It is not enough to just get the hang of the rope, because you may complete " the tough one" last. Ensure you are proficient at jumping high, you can practice box jumps for this( the low belly over obstacle is difficult for those who are 5'5 and under and don't have ups) as well as the 6 vaults obstacle. I am 5'5 and the first vault comes up to my armpit. Once you complete the obstacles whatever you do. Do not quit on the run. Do whatever you have to do to get through that run. No matter what. The rest of the school is all about attention to detail. There is plenty of study hall time and time to ask questions. They want you to be proficient in rigging loads for missions. Good luck! It is absolutely an obtainable school! Just make sure you are physically fit!

Get in shape. Do more than your unit's PT program. Run, Run, Run if possible in boots. Work on your upper body strength with pull ups and rope climbing. 0 day is the day when most people wash out. You run everywhere and there is a confidence course as part of the 0 day which involves a lot of upper body work. If you make it through 0 day the rest of the course is an exercise in working under stress. Classes involve a lot of detailed information that you have to remember while fighting off sleep. Break times between classes involve a lot of PT. It's like Basic Training on steroids. I should know. When I went through I had just completed my 2 year stint as a Drill Sgt. But just like any military school you will be given all the training you can handle and given the building blocks to build on in each phase. Also like all training, completion and graduation is very rewarding. Good luck.

It's an awesome challenge that will change your life forever. You will be respected by your superiors if you can make it through this gruelling training.

Since you are in Korea, see if you can applied and attend the white horse ranger course which is run by the Korean Army. The schools is not too far,from camp red cloud, in union up. I attended this course, and they teach you everything about repelling, climbing, and lots of other tactical tricks.
I,attended Air Assault School, while stationed at Ft. Hood,Texas. A satellite team came over from Campbell, and provided the course. We had to qualified on P.T. , and then a timed ruck sack March. We learned how to set up equipment to be airlifted, via helicopter. Learned how to call for support, medical, and most of all repelled from helicopters, that was the cool part. Lots of P.T. Listen to the cadre, and you will do,fine. Air Assualt!

AA was a blast. You wouldn't be considering it if you weren't physically fit. Expect it to challenge you nonetheless. I've read the previous responses and there are some real pearls there - but there is some preparation information that's not quite common sense you should think about.

Physical: That's a given - be extremely fit, but prepare for running in your combat boots. Treat your boots as lovingly as you would a fine lady. When I did it we were in jungle boots, but no matter the boot, make sure it fits you very comfortably and that it is extremely supple anywhere it contacts your skin. You won't have time to fix them later. When I went we were allowed 550 cord laces - that helped. You might want to read up on how to lace differently if you start to have problems on the road march. I'd broken a bone in my foot the day before the 12mile, and was able to outrun most of the group on it with that knowledge, and occasional brief stops to massage the swelling out. The zipper boots would have made lacing faster, but you would get a lot more blisters, zippers being stiff. I found that 550 cord made lacing fast, and since it slides thru the eyelets easily, allowed for evening out the pressure as I ran. I melted the ends of the cord so it was stiff for about 1/2 inch, and pulled as it was heated so it was thinner at the ends like regular laces. A change of socks is imperative, if they let you - DO IT.

Mental: The proverbial "how high". Do it with a smile. No matter how bad it hurts, keep that positive mental attitude. I was a butterbar when I went, and the instructors all enlisted. On my first day I got to demonstrate the low crawl repeatedly in the mud. I did so with glee, digging a trench with my helmet, after that the instructors realized that barring an injury I was there to stay. Did I mention to change your socks whenever you can? You might also want to try a run or two with panty hose on inside those socks - the leg high kind. Some people like to use them to reduce moisture on the skin and blisters - if you are allowed them. You could also look into a specialty sock like swiftwick and use a perm marker to hide the logo.

Speaking of blisters - prepare your feet well in advance. You know better than anyone else where your feet have problems in your boots. Fix those problems before you start AA.

OK, now a couple of tips they will train you on - but pay attention and never forget.
West Point Rappel - make sure you have more than one bite on that carabiner. People bounce when they hit the ground without enough friction on the rope.
Helicopter Rappel - NEVER go at the same time as the guy directly opposite you. If you brake at the same time you can go head to head or foot to head under the helicopter. This may no longer apply, but if it does PAY ATTENTION. Getting knocked out kind of prevents you from braking on the way down.

Finally, see if you can get in good with your pilot. If they're willing to show you what NOE means, you'll have a real blast!

I wish you luck in your endeavor, and I know you will be part of the 10% (that finishes). If you ever think of quitting, remember that this fat old fart veteran was able to stay the course, so can you.

PS you might want to read up on blood wings, doubt they still do it, but proper care with a good antibiotic after can help reduce scarring. I can't even see where mine were now.

You dont have to be expert to become good air assult trooper just know the basic safety of airborne trooper and do alot of repelling out of Helicopter my best experience of being air assult was when I was assigned with the 1st Cavalry Air Assult Division in Vietnam it feel like you are a real soldier I enjoyed being in air assult unit in combat it bring the men out of you.