What is the most over and under rated schools in the military?

2015-07-14T04:49:21-04:00

We have spoke about so many different military schools here. But what do you think are the most over and under rated schools in the military? Some schools really don't affect your skills in your MOS and are sought after rather than a school that relates to your actual job. And there are some schools that would greatly benefit anyone that goes yet few really want to go to them.

For me I am going with Airborne as overrated. Few that want to go to it actually need it to perform their duties. I was in an Airborne unit in the past. So in that case it was required for such a unit. But some want to go for no reason other just getting a shiny badge. I don't think that it is really that bad and it could be used to reward soldiers. So many just want to go when it really doesn't offer much professional growth, except those that are capable of going to airborne units. It reminds me how in most Middle Eastern countries everyone is Airborne and how they think it is such a mark of distinction. Nevermind the fact that everyone has wings. I am not even sure if they really even jump out of a plane.

The most under rated school that I believe is in the army training system is Master Fitness Trainer. We should have far more soldiers attending this. Few really want to go as there isn't a badge for this. But the impact that soldiers trained there could have drastic affect on a unit for the better by strengthening their soldiers.

What do you think are the most over/under schools in the military?

*Before anyone complains about the quality of Airborne this is only an opinion. I am not saying that airborne school is not a great school or diminishing those that are airborne. Don't take it personal.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 8:09 AM

2015-07-14T08:09:26-04:00

Over rated - Ranger School by far. I am not saying it isn't a great leadership/small unit tactics course but the stigma that surrounds it is ridiculous. People that graduate Ranger School hype it up like it's the hardest thing they have ever done in their life, those people have a rude awakening coming one of these days. They propel that stigma to people that haven't attended and make people think that you are some sort of demigod just because you have a Ranger Tab...what a crock of shit.

Under rated - Pathfinder. It's a pretty badge and everybody wants one but nobody ever talks about the skills that it actually gives you. Want to talk about a mentally challenging course, it's probably the toughest.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 9:01 AM

2015-07-14T09:01:43-04:00

I will say hands down the most over rated school in the Army is Air Assault School. Being a member of the 101st especially, that's all they care about here. You do learn some new things, but unless you are in a combat unit, after you get done you will forget everything you learned partly you have no more use for it.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jul 14 at 2015 9:13 AM

2015-07-14T09:13:28-04:00

Most over rated. Airborne School. It takes 21 days to basically teach a person how to fall down from various heights. I learned the same things plus more in two days while going through civilian jump training.
Most under rated school. Advanced Airborne School. If the purpose of a school is to infuse technical competence and confidence then this school does it the best.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-07-14T11:13:15-04:00

Agree with CSM Private RallyPoint Member that Ranger School is overrated -- the biggest challenge is just being sincere about attempting it -- get through RASP! The school is meant to pass. Those that do should be proud -- quiet professionals -- but many want to carry a sign that proclaims the school is harder than climbing Mount Everest. Silliness. Wear the tab proudly, be a better leader and learn some humility.

For underrated, this will take some thinking for some...think before you click...but to me it is clearly Basic Training. We do not give our Drill Sergeants enough credit and recognition from taking people off the street and making them soldiers in a matter of months...over a little more than 12 weeks or so, our Drills Sergeants take ANYBODY and turn them over to a unit with which they could deploy to fight (and win)! In what schools is such a gain made in terms of initial capability to final product? We giggle because new soldiers to a unit can be funny...but think about the progress they made in such a short time. Impressive.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-07-14T12:18:27-04:00

I have no real comment for over rated military schools. All schools have their place and provide a level of expertise and confidence to do your job. I would say the Air Assault course is underrated bay far. I had more fun, learned more and applied the training to real world missions more than anything I have attended so far. There is hype with any military training but the real test of ones character is how you apply and practice what you have learned.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 14 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-07-14T12:45:32-04:00

Overrated? Airborne for sure. You don't really learn anything transferable to general soldier skills and most of my class was sent off to leg units never to jump again. That isn't unusual from what I understand. Essentially, it's a merit badge.

Underrated? Air Assault/Pathfinder. Mileage may vary on how much you use them, but both taught skills that could be used in any unit that operated in a combat zone. You're going to need LZs. You're going to need to move equipment via helicopter. Air Assault was short, sweet and I used what I learned there for most of my time in the Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 8:53 PM

2015-07-14T20:53:24-04:00

Air Assault school is by far the most over-rated. Being in the 101st is not really that big of a deal for Air-Assault. 10 class days and it's over. The support and sustainment will use it way more than the line units. Most under-rated Master Gunner/Pathfinder.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2017 6:48 PM

2017-03-25T18:48:37-04:00

Most over rated is definitely air assault. I mean really 1/3rd of the school is rapelling....and as for sling loads...go to the actual sling load course. Most under rated is marksmanship master trainer course. About to finish it this week and by god did it make me a far better shooter and gave mr the skills to teach all my soldiers how to shoot properly. Anything less than a 40/40 is terrible now

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Mar 25 at 2017 7:01 PM

2017-03-25T19:01:21-04:00

Airborne school isnt all that tough, it's a three week hassle you could do in 3 days. Civilian jumps are in the same day by comparison. I did it for the money pure and simple, anyone can fall out of an airplane.

Response by SFC Shane Funkhouser made Mar 25 at 2017 8:03 PM

2017-03-25T20:03:56-04:00

I have to agree just like every military school they are made to pass. With the exception of sf and delta.
Ranger school - congratulations you've managed to pass marine boot camp
Airborne - you either crazy enough or dumb enough depending on who you ask to fall out of an airplane. And you can run like a marine.
Air assault - you can ruck like a marine and you can sling load.

Response by SSG James Bigbie made Mar 26 at 2017 12:05 AM

2017-03-26T00:05:53-04:00

Overrated was PLDC. Total waste of time. Only good thing was getting the diploma and making Commandant's List. Underrated was Bradley Master Gunner school. When I went through in 92, we had about a 50% fail rate. That course really pushed everyone's limits.

Response by PO1 Edward Pate made Mar 26 at 2017 8:58 AM

2017-03-26T08:58:16-04:00

For underrated I would have to say the US Navy Nuclear Power School. Two years of advanced college rated math, physics, chemistry and a host of other subjects in 6 months. As difficult intellectually as SEAL training physically.

Response by LCDR Rich Mahone made Mar 26 at 2017 10:27 AM

2017-03-26T10:27:02-04:00

Airborne, by far. I went through Airborne and naval parachutist courses. On the navy course, I packed my own parachutes and got ten jumps in 5 days and we jumped steerable canopies with course emphasis on accuracy. Don't get me wrong, Airborne is essential and well run but not the big deal some make it out to be.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2017 11:05 PM

2017-03-26T23:05:34-04:00

Depending on your frame of reference I think the answer to both would be Air Assualt. Overrated because there is no way in hell that it's the "10 toughest days in the Army" as I've heard it described, and underrated because it teaches valuable skill sets that soldiers can take with them for use all throughout their career. Competence around rotary aircraft is a critical skill set in today's Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 9:26 AM

2017-04-02T09:26:49-04:00

Air Assault is definitely the most Overrated school. You spend 10 days trying cram your mind with information you will forget the next week and never use again. You do a few repels which seem cool and purposeful, but then you realize that even here on Fort Campbell, you are not authorized to do them unless you are special. I have done a sling load in training but anyone with a brain can look up the procedure as we all had to since we forgot it from the class. The 101st preaches Air Assault but I did more Air Assault type things in Hawaii...I've been on 1 bird (for the sling load) in the 1.5 years I've been in the 101st...and I'm Infantry.

Response by PV2 Drake Crabtree made May 2 at 2017 11:12 PM

2017-05-02T23:12:36-04:00

Overrated - Ranger

Underrated - Sapper, and 12D

Response by SPC Stephen Wagner made Sep 4 at 2017 5:29 PM

2017-09-04T17:29:31-04:00

Joint Fires Observer is underrated. In today's battle field knowledge of different types of Fire support is paramount. And being able to call in fire with whatever support is available will save lives. But outside the FO world nobody knows about it because there's no badge and only an ASI.

Response by SFC Jay White made Sep 4 at 2017 11:16 PM

2017-09-04T23:16:52-04:00

I have both. True MFT is underrated

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 10:10 AM

2017-09-05T10:10:39-04:00

Most over rated school...SHARP academy...hahahah

Response by 2LT Greg Chapa made Sep 5 at 2017 11:01 AM

2017-09-05T11:01:54-04:00

Been to both, MFT was no joke, a CPT and SGM failed the course

Response by SPC Kyle Salmon made Sep 5 at 2017 12:00 PM

2017-09-05T12:00:06-04:00

I have to say CLS was by far the toughest. Sitting around waiting for your hungover buddy to stick you with a needle... that's tough lol. Actually Airborne School isn't all that hard but does make you sore as hell practicing falling all day.

Response by SGT Jim Filey made Sep 5 at 2017 12:31 PM

2017-09-05T12:31:14-04:00

Wow, times have changed, in the early 70s, airborne school was hard, you had to want it to get it. 600 started, 280 finished. Civilian jumps school does not touch on what to do during a 600' combat drop if your main fails, yes, times have changed.

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Sep 5 at 2017 12:56 PM

2017-09-05T12:56:23-04:00

I don't really have an over rated one for the air force but I would say Airman Leadership School(ALS) because it's the only made it to an E-5 so didn't have a chance to go to NCO academy before I got out. But I really enjoyed ALS because they were taking you from being an airman and for the most part just focused on doing your job to the best of your ability to getting you prepared a little to supervise people. They walked you through a counseling session since everybody screws up sometimes and needs to be corrected and the appropriate actions. I also think that most people just suffer through and figure things out as they go. Also I know that they probably differ from class to class and from teacher to teacher but I feel as though I learned some really solid stuff both about myself and about others.

Response by SGT Adam Turner made Sep 5 at 2017 2:15 PM

2017-09-05T14:15:27-04:00

So Ranger is overrated yet, two days ago this same sight said it's the most "high-speed low-drag" course in the the military... So much so, that even Navy Seals can't muster enough intestinal fortitude to graduate the course. I'm confused, none of my training even sniffs the top of this list, but I'd think any form of warfighter school would be at the top of the list, they make legit heroes, not just Soldiers. Just my 2 cents.

Response by Lt Col John Davis made Sep 5 at 2017 3:47 PM

2017-09-05T15:47:26-04:00

"we have spoke"... Apparently English class is an overrated school :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 5:48 PM

2017-09-05T17:48:08-04:00

Air Assault School. I've conducted shit tons of air assaults in Afghanistan and I've never used a shred of what I learned in school. Also, due to "risk mitigation," I've also never been allowed to conduct fast rope insertions in terrain that cannot be accessed via air except by rappelling or fast roping. The worthwhile stuff can't be used and everything else is stupid and isn't used. The Sling Load Inspector course is much more worthwhile.

Response by COL Rich McKinney made Sep 5 at 2017 6:14 PM

2017-09-05T18:14:24-04:00

The perception of Airborne varies. Amateurs concentrate on how you get to work instead of what you do when you get there. Professionals understand that the true measure is how well you do the job once you get there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 7:48 PM

2017-09-05T19:48:54-04:00

USASS is underrated, some of the best NCOs I've met were instructors there. The Army finally is understanding the importance of snipers but historically never maintained a consistent sniper school until the current USASS was established. I've been out for a while, maybe things have changed in recent years.

Currahee-OSOK

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 7:55 PM

2017-09-05T19:55:46-04:00

I actually think that Airborne school is a very well put together and executed school. Gross motor patterns, learning to throw your body and the ground from any angle and try not to break...

Another great school is the Inspector General School. If you are ever nominated for an IG position, their school is one of few that I attended and felt that I could graduate on Friday and do my job on Monday.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 8:48 PM

2017-09-05T20:48:31-04:00

Overrated, Ranger School. Underrated, I'm gonna throw out mortuary affairs. Processing the dead on a large scale takes a very special person. And every MA guy has their limit before breaking. Something you don't hear about other jobs.

Response by SFC Timothy Dutcher made Sep 5 at 2017 9:12 PM

2017-09-05T21:12:00-04:00

I don't I know about overrated. Most schools serve some purpose. Even if it is simply to reward people. Most underrated has a few candidates. My choice would be Mountain Warfare. I learned a lot in both phases.

Response by SrA Joseph Wolosz made Sep 5 at 2017 9:15 PM

2017-09-05T21:15:24-04:00

No disrespect Sir!
I talked with an old vet at the Eisenhower farm in Gettysburg.
He landed in TWO major league airdrops and was dug in the Beau Jacques Forest on the ridges outside of Bastogne.
Maybe be a little cautious about looking for a shiny badge,then sitting in a foxhole, getting creamed by 88s,running out of food ammo and medical supplies while freezing their butts off.
Thank you for serving Sir!

Response by SFC Bret VanBlaircom made Sep 5 at 2017 9:28 PM

2017-09-05T21:28:09-04:00

It is an opinion that, I may add to. 5 jump chumps that go and get the badge and never serve in an AIRBORNE DIVISION,Brigade, Regiment, or Group, that never have to do the work of BEING AIRBORNE, just cause thier ROTC, OCS, or other professional tracked class got to go and attend, is bullshit.

That's what takes away from those who have been there, and done that.

I went to jump school in 1984, and Jumpmaster School in 1988, at Bragg in the 82d.

It wouldn't be so overrated if the ability to attend was restriced to those who perform the duties.

Bret VanBlaircom
Chairman
Badger State All Airborne Chapter
82d Airborne Division Association

Response by MSG Dan Kilpatrick made Sep 5 at 2017 9:29 PM

2017-09-05T21:29:24-04:00

For me I would say overrated would be Battle Staff. There is a lot of really good information and TTPs, but I saw too many times in the real world, units had their own methodology and did not trust the NCOs that had learned the skills. So no need to send someone there (I not only attended but was an Instructor). Underrated would be Bradly Master Gunner because the only college credit I received was 4 credits for PT and I know we took the APFT but we never did PT. We learned so much about range development, planning strategies, and training plans. Now on a range or during annual services the MG was the law, so I would not say they were underrated in the field.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 9:54 PM

2017-09-05T21:54:43-04:00

I'm qualified as an infantry, engineer and AG officer with all the appropriate bells, badges, buzzers and whistles - the most under rated course I ever took was the full maintenance soldering course at the Signal School at fabulous Fort Gordon. Four weeks of industry quality soldering overseen by sadists, I'm still using those skills thirty years later. While I've fallen out of air planes many times, airborne school was the biggest waste of time in my life. You could've taught the average soldier everything needed in five days, including jumps. All the PT and running was a waste since almost everyone who shows up for the course is already in good shape. The Long Range Marksmanship Course (politically correct name for sniper school run by USAMU pre 1987) was a great school but the Asymmetric Warfare Group's marksmanship program is a joke. Most Officer Basic Course syllabuses are filled with useless crap but IOAC and EOAC are both well done and filled with useful instruction and PEs. Sapper was the best practical leader course I've been to.

Response by SGT Sean Moore made Sep 5 at 2017 10:13 PM

2017-09-05T22:13:18-04:00

I wanted Airborne from the day I first went to MEPS at age 17 in 1991. Not necessarily because I wanted a shiny badge, but I grew up in Boy Scouts & ROTC in high school. I also grew up loving military stuff and military history. Some of my favorite history was reading about the 101st & 82nd Airborne Divisions in WW2, so that's what motivated me to get my wings. Just to have some kind of a small tie to the historical lineage. Is the Airborne the same caliber as it was in WW2... maybe, maybe not... but let's face it, neither is today's Army.

Response by SPC Tim Paquin made Sep 5 at 2017 11:20 PM

2017-09-05T23:20:25-04:00

Most overrated I have heard of is HALO... Yes, it's a cool skill, dangerous and all that but how many people actually get to go? How many of the attendees will actually use that training? I do know several guys that went and they said it was fun but none of them jumped outside of school. Same with SCUBA school. We have SEALs for that. Why are we training Army guys to do it? Granted, it probably happens a lot and we don't hear about it but still...

Most underrated school in my experience would probably have to be the basic driver's course. People like to make fun of it, call it a joke, etc. Think about this though: there are servicemembers in all branches who have never driven any vehicle before. This course is the most important course in the military and yet it's also the biggest joke...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 11:28 PM

2017-09-05T23:28:33-04:00

For the most part airborne and ranger are career progression schools. They do nothing to enhance your professional skills.

Response by SSG Chris Allsopp made Sep 6 at 2017 1:49 AM

2017-09-06T01:49:35-04:00

I absolutely denied myself going airborne, simply because it didn't work for my MOS (jump out of a plane... Now it not working). I fought for a more technical school. Never got the chance to chase that dream. The dumbest course I was forced to take? Lawn maintenance... Did it in Garrison every damn week, never saw a lawnmower while deployed.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 11:02 AM

2017-09-06T11:02:52-04:00

Spoken like a LT. We could say the same for ranger, air assault etc. you need none of it until you need it. I think if you take a look at the number of people with ranger tabs, you will find the vast majority of them are not in the regiment. Yet the perponderance of airborne soldiers are in airborne slots. So this isn't a nothing school. Remind me again though, what unit do you have to be air assault in? I mean can you not be in the 101st without AA wings?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 12:11 PM

2017-09-06T12:11:05-04:00

In light of the amount of toxic leadership, I would have to say WLC is the most overrated.

Response by SSG Mike Warren made Sep 6 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-09-06T12:18:40-04:00

Air Assault is overrated, so is rappel master! Fortunately there's no Star or Wreath.

Response by 1LT Benjamin Kimsey made Sep 6 at 2017 2:46 PM

2017-09-06T14:46:09-04:00

Air Assault School: Needed in Vietnam, not worth anything now.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 3:05 PM

2017-09-06T15:05:48-04:00

Stop hating on airborne, we love all of you pretty legs out there

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 3:29 PM

2017-09-06T15:29:43-04:00

I haven't attended either school and would like to attend but I'm too old according the school Regs and I'm in the National Guard which doesn't have the money to send me to school.
However, I will say that from what I hear Airborne school is the easiest to complete as opposed to Air Assault, Sapper School, Ranger, etc.
At the end of the day it would probably depend on the person skill level or need.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 3:33 PM

2017-09-06T15:33:03-04:00

Not sure but I would love to attend one and find out.

Response by SSgt Shawn McFarlin made Sep 6 at 2017 4:01 PM

2017-09-06T16:01:22-04:00

Over/under rated courses are a hard thing while I was in the Air Force I took many classes that were very pertinent to my job at one assignment and didn't apply at another, being assigned to AFSOC and SOCOM had opportunities to go to courses by all branches, if I say airborne or air assault were overrated it was because I had already learned all the skills and had to go back to have them in my records, for me SFQ was the most useful and taught skills that applied to life in general, not the hardest but most underrated for me

Response by 1LT Christopher Gonzales made Sep 6 at 2017 4:13 PM

2017-09-06T16:13:55-04:00

Thought for sure I'd see an Engineer say EOD was overrated.

Faith in humanity: restored.

Response by SSG Shane Shepherd made Sep 6 at 2017 4:31 PM

2017-09-06T16:31:00-04:00

I never went to this course or had a need to but SEER school was a course at FT Bragg that friends went to. I had a friend go and when he got back he looked so bad I couldn't recognize him, weight loss saggy tired sunken eyed. I was like holy crap. Our commander wouldn't send him to Ranger school but once he smoked the precourse at Bragg they sent him. He smoked it, he was mentally tough

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 4:32 PM

2017-09-06T16:32:15-04:00

This post is overrated.

All I see is a bunch of so-called "professionals" tab checking and badge bumping so that they can look cool on a useless forum.
You get out of the schools and courses what you put into them, and even if you have been fortunate enough to attend one does not add or detract from the value of a fellow Soldier.
Focus on leading your Soldiers and less about measuring your cleaning rods.

MAJ Balough

Response by MSgt Greg Szczepaniak made Sep 6 at 2017 8:31 PM

2017-09-06T20:31:04-04:00

Hardest school and most challenging mentally was Pathfinder. Easiest school was Airborne.

Response by SFC Charles Taylor made Sep 6 at 2017 8:35 PM

2017-09-06T20:35:59-04:00

Don't need master fitness trainers in the Army

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 9:27 PM

2017-09-06T21:27:52-04:00

Most overrated by far: Marine Corps Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar. A relatively new PME course that teaches LCpls things that are already covered by the mandatory annual death-by-power point briefs, but now they get to debate and discuss their opinions on these topics for five days. Oh, and they PT.

Response by MAJ R. Andrew Hoskinson made Sep 7 at 2017 12:38 AM

2017-09-07T00:38:45-04:00

Air Assault school is overrated. I'll be the first one to admit: I only went for the badge. I went as an ROTC cadet in 1983 so that I would have a badge hanging on my uniform the next summer during advanced camp.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 12:44 AM

2017-09-07T00:44:04-04:00

I respectfully disagree about airborne school. If you take away all the basic training type stuff, its a good basic school to learn the fundamentals of military static line parachuting. Maybe I am biased because as an infantryman I tried to get there for years and was denied, only to become a CI Agent and join a Special Ops unit who finally sent me. In any case, I love being a paratrooper. As a MAJ already stated on his reply to this post, you get out of these schools what you put into them.

Response by SPC Daniel Melendez made Sep 7 at 2017 12:05 PM

2017-09-07T12:05:10-04:00

AATW!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 12:31 PM

2017-09-07T12:31:36-04:00

Overrated - Any badge you wear on your ASUs except the CSIB or DS. Recruiter, staff badges are smack in the Meh category.
Underrated - UMO....yes, I said it, the one that carries no shiny badge, but will equip leaders with the tools to get their unit to the fight, which is half the battle.

Response by SFC Craig Starr made Sep 7 at 2017 5:05 PM

2017-09-07T17:05:38-04:00

I've read a lot of responses to course that give you shiney badges and tabs to wearing on the uniform. The military is full of other training opertunities that are rewarding in both military and civilian life.

The most un-appreciated / underrated course I took in my career was the Army Safety Centers, Composite Risk Accessment course. I was volun-told to go. I though, what did I do wrong to deserve this?

The course was long, but buy the end, I learned quick, meaningful risk analysis tools and effective Midigation that has saved soldiers lives improved our effectiveness and effecicincies and even reduced costs to tax payers. I use the same mental process in my personal life and with my family. I taught it to my son and daughter and drilled them on senerios at home to get them to think about risks, probabilities, mitigation techniques, cost / bennifit and impacts. As corny as it sounds, 5 years later, I heard my son (now 18) talking in the phone with his friends planning a road trip going over and identifying risks of their trip and what they would do to Midigate the risks they identified and wrote down. I heard my daughter (now 22) tell her mom she that she weighed the risk to bennifit on financial adventure she was getting ready to commit to and she confessed it wasn't worth the risk and showed my wife her accessment, lol, straight out of the TM. Who'd a thought that 1 week course would have such and impact if taken seriously.

The most overrated course, I would say is the Army NDI course. Started in the early 90s for 20-30 level only 68D NCOs it was a tough 3 month joint service course. By 2008 the demand for reoccurring NDT inspections on Army aircraft had rose to the point they needed "trained" techs at every unit. Diluting the core knowledge of the person's being trained it turned to a 10 level add on to AIT killing the "N2" ASI. I watched the skill set and value go right out the window. My personal opinion is the program for the active duty Army is a crap shoot. Quality training, accuracy, knowledge, a standard and professional development is all but nonexistent. A waste of time.

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made Sep 7 at 2017 6:15 PM

2017-09-07T18:15:40-04:00

I quite frankly I find TRADOC and their given rules overrated, regarding GOVERNING who goes to what school.."Be all you can be" MY ASS.
If you NEED AIRBORNE its a good thing ...but IT could be abbreviate and quals CAN be conducted using a civilian style training apparatus,which the services will probably object to using because then they can't BURN you with PT to make it more of a rite of passage,
I was trained on the job in Korea as an AIR ASSAULT scout in C4/7 86,starting with cliffs and hip pocket training,THEY accepted THAT for war.
Someone asked our commander Maj Fluke for wings but he declined.
I didn't need the decor andy more than I wanted a qualifier on my record for sniper school I JUST wanted the SKILL,as a tool for Cav that patrols all lacked.
Tradoc said 19d series were NOT to decisively engage as their response...5 times

Response by CW4 Jim Shelburn made Sep 7 at 2017 6:18 PM

2017-09-07T18:18:12-04:00

I was not qualified airborne, but I disagree with your comment. The school is tough and you are still challenging gravity every time you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 7:49 PM

2017-09-07T19:49:14-04:00

And this is exactly why we should take a cue from our USMC brethern and reserve wearing badges and such for formal occasions. Badge hunting has become such a damned affair that we've emulated the Boy Scouts rather than promoting schools that actually make for good soldiers and good units.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 9:55 PM

2017-09-07T21:55:06-04:00

Navy School Expeditionary Combat Skills in Gulfport, MS.

Response by SFC Frontier Bar made Sep 7 at 2017 11:14 PM

2017-09-07T23:14:57-04:00

Sounds like a Legg to me

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 1:01 AM

2017-09-08T01:01:33-04:00

The most overrated school is PLDC/WLC. The school lost focused on what it needs to teach new NCO's. Get back to meat and potatoes of leadership. Teaching, tutoring and mentoring. The most underrated is PLDC/WLC, tradoc has ruined the curriculum and gotten away with what's important as a young NCO. This is the reason for all these toxic leaders and the reason these millineals think everyone is toxic.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 7:21 AM

2017-09-08T07:21:26-04:00

I'm going to say in my humble opinion Air Assault is fairly overrated, especially since most of the class is about getting smoked and has little relevance to most MOS's in the Army..... the most underrated has to be squad designated marksman for the Army. This class is all about shooting and doing it well. Plus you have to shoot well to stay in the course, there are 3 pass or fail and go home events during the 15 day course. The instructors are the best marksman in the Army and really focus on shooting and the principles of marksmanship, there is no room for disciplinary issues because first screw up and they will send you home.

Response by LTC Ray Morris made Sep 8 at 2017 9:28 AM

2017-09-08T09:28:25-04:00

Having spent 27 years in 101st Airborne Division, Ranger and Special Forces units, any comment I'd make here would be crude.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 12:01 PM

2017-09-08T12:01:52-04:00

I would say that Air Assault is right up there on par with Airborne only because it's slot are more accessible than at Airborne. That said, I've spent 95% percent of my carrier in Armor and Cavalry as a medic following Jump School and have rarely used any of the skills learned at Airborne in my duty positions. Same for the Air Assault qualified Soldiers to my left and right. Rather I would say that the Soldier makes the badge as to what they bring to their Leadership Tool Box. Otherwise it's just a shinny look ate piece of flare.

Response by SGT Michael Harbison made Sep 8 at 2017 12:22 PM

2017-09-08T12:22:36-04:00

It's not that we can jump out of planes. Any fool can do that. It's what we do when we get there.

Response by SPC Gary Griffes made Sep 8 at 2017 3:57 PM

2017-09-08T15:57:07-04:00

I think an under rated school (only because of lack of exposure) is SERE school. I mean, who don't want to survive in no man's land, get captured by the enemy and get tortured for hours on end?

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Sep 9 at 2017 5:40 PM

2017-09-09T17:40:47-04:00

I would bet that 80% of the Airborne class was ROTC on summer vacation from college. From there quite a few were onto Ranger. 1977. So if college guys can do it how elite is it?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2017 6:09 PM

2017-09-09T18:09:22-04:00

You must be a leg.

Response by LTC Mark Crowson made Sep 9 at 2017 11:12 PM

2017-09-09T23:12:14-04:00

1. It's an amazing link to the past. Virtually unchanged since WWII. 2. It demonstrates how training can make the (seemingly) ridiculous easy

Response by SGT John Romanishan made Sep 10 at 2017 11:42 AM

2017-09-10T11:42:21-04:00

I would have to go with OCS. Officers are overrated and don't actually work, they give orders that everyone ignores anyway, they rarely listen to those that actually DO know what's going on, and the only time that enlisted are happy is when the LT is lost and can't find his way back.

Response by CWO2 Bill Kerr made Sep 10 at 2017 12:13 PM

2017-09-10T12:13:59-04:00

Most under rated school in the military? Who has been to every school in every branch? It's kind of hard to judge which one is the most under rated. A systematic problem I see over all with some branches is the whole badge, patch thing. I personally didn't need a bunch of crap all over my uniform to know what I had done. Aside from this, hell you start paying more for adornments, placing them properly than you do for the actual uniform. The last time I had my medals set it cost me almost $100 and that was on base! You start adding rank insignia, patches, to be sewn it adds up very quickly especially with a dress uniform. A lot of military schools vice being professional development have become card punching for promotions. That is a sad fact!

Response by MAJ John Kirkbride made Sep 10 at 2017 2:37 PM

2017-09-10T14:37:00-04:00

With respect to Airborne School if you think it's just about jumping out of airplanes, then you are really missing the point. Airborne school forces an individual to over come the un-natural act of stepping out of an aircraft in flight. If you can jump out of an airplane, then you feel that you can do anything, a key attribute for a war fighter to have.

Response by SPC Douglas Yorke made Sep 10 at 2017 5:12 PM

2017-09-10T17:12:45-04:00

Being a part of the EIGHT DEUCE is an honor and privilege! No hype.

Response by CPO John Welsh made Nov 13 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-11-13T12:18:31-05:00

Any school can be hard or not. It depends on the individual and what they want and what type of effort is put into it. The school is basically only as hard as you want it to be. I have not seen a school yet that will not go the extra mile to help a student that is truly interested and is willing to ask for help. The real school is when you get out into the real world and begin to apply everything you learned in the "classroom".

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jan 18 at 2018 9:45 PM

2018-01-18T21:45:14-05:00

DINFOS, the Defense Information School, is under-rated. I thought it was the most relevant, high-tech, practical, and well-taught course I ever took (to include my college & grad school).

Response by SGT Jeff Fronk made Dec 30 at 2018 12:23 PM

2018-12-30T12:23:32-05:00

Sure there are those who just want that badge. Others who are not assigned to an airborne unit hope to be assigned in the future. When I enlisted it was one of many contract guarantees you could choose. My other contract item was Europe 1st duty station. I got pulled for an ASI so someone went to my slot and I went to an airborne unit at Bragg which I had hoped for as my 2nd post. The Army did come through on Germany right after Bragg.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Dec 29 at 2019 8:44 PM

2019-12-29T20:44:11-05:00

I know this is a dated conversation. CPT Private RallyPoint Member, but I'd like to toss out a nominee for "Way Underrated": Drill Sergeant School. I never got to attend because an ROTC scholarship preempted my application for drill duty, but I challenge anybody to name a more hard-core course in effective military leadership.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 30 at 2019 1:02 AM

2019-12-30T01:02:03-05:00

Airborne is not over rated. With jump pay I was still drinking good beer while others were drinking bootleg beer or none at all. . Yep, I jumped for beer money and pizza money when guys were lined up 100 deep at the mess. The jump pay was 20% more on top of my base pay back in the day.

Response by SPC Leo Van Groll made Dec 30 at 2019 1:45 PM

2019-12-30T13:45:45-05:00

Most underrated: Cook school.....saving lives 3 times a day.

Response by CPL Kevin Howe made Dec 30 at 2019 6:40 PM

2019-12-30T18:40:34-05:00

Two things drop out of the sky . . .