What is the most challenging course you've ever taken?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 16:51:41 -0400

I'll place the first vote for Jump Master school.

Response by SFC Aaron Calmes made Mar 30 at 2014 5:13 PM

SFC Aaron Calmes — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 17:13:41 -0400

#1 for me would be Pathfinder with Jumpmaster as a VERY close second. PF class started with 78 and graduated 12.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2014 6:42 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 18:42:29 -0400

Sapper Leaders Course in Septembers heat!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 11:18 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 11:18:22 -0400

Jumpmaster was tougher for me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 11:41 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 11:41:07 -0400

Physically, Sapper School. Mentally, EOC-A

Response by 1SG David Niles made Mar 31 at 2014 2:24 PM

1SG David Niles — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 14:24:48 -0400

Traffic Accident Investigators Course, Lackland AFB Texas in July

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Mar 31 at 2014 3:34 PM

1SG Mike Case — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 15:34:04 -0400

I have never attended any of the afore mentioned schools, so for me, the hardest mentally was my 10 month AIT course 33R, which is now 35T and physically was the Tactical Tracking School, out at Ft. huachuca.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 3:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 15:37:17 -0400

In our weather training at least for forecasters we had a 55% drop out rate. They were trying to figure out if we can handle stress because tornadoes or severe icing is never a good thing. lol

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 31 at 2014 8:19 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:19:38 -0400

Marine Corps Boot Camp!  OORAH!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 8:20 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:20:12 -0400

IMLC (infantry mortar leadership course) very mentally stressful

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 31 at 2014 8:40 PM

SFC James Baber — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:40:58 -0400

Physically-Sapper hands down for me.

Mentally-OPSEC Planners Managers Course, lots of formulas and calculations, I love math but that stuff was in a league of its own.

Response by MAJ Michel Dinesman made Mar 31 at 2014 9:31 PM

MAJ Michel Dinesman — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:31:39 -0400

Overall academic school, the 18D Course circa 1990. Physically challenging course, the SFQC circa 1987-88.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 9:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:43:36 -0400

Collateral Damage Estimate course, part of the Precision Fires Course...

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 11:34 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 11:34:43 -0400

SSD III & IV. Thought I'd suck-start my Sig Sauer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 5:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 17:06:52 -0400

That yearly Cyber Awareness training

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Apr 1 at 2014 5:29 PM

SFC Timothy Riser — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 17:29:03 -0400

The Joint FirePower Course out of Nellis Air Force Base, Academically it is by far the Hardest I have ever experianced.

I have never taken a course that was to much for me physically

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 6:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:10:06 -0400

This will probably raise some eye brows, but for me it was Army Combatives. It wasn't challenging per se, but it was by far the most painful course I ever attended. I've never been more sore and broke feeling in my life.

Keep in mind though that I didn't attend many schools. Air Assault School, WLC, CMAST, BCT3, and combatives training is really my only frame of reference to draw on.

Response by LtCol Brent Norquist made Apr 2 at 2014 2:30 AM

LtCol Brent Norquist — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 02:30:44 -0400

Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. While Recruit Training was tough, OCS brought it to a new level.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 9:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:54:08 -0400

BCCC and Jumpmaster

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 10:48 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:48:21 -0400

Please don't forget to vote up this question if you like it. I will return the favor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 11:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:28:56 -0400

Every single yearly mandatory training class! Not only do I get to do them for the Big Army but I also have to do them for our joint command since they don't accept the Army training. LOVE IT! FML!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 2 at 2014 3:21 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:21:05 -0400

Air Assualt school. While only 10 days long, we had people dropping out everyday. It was not just the mental or physical, it stressed you on both all day, every day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 10:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 22:17:16 -0400

Pashto basic course at DLI.  My first class (I recycled after the first semester due to a family emergency) had a 25% pass rate.<br>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 6:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 18:56:23 -0400

I would say JumpMaster School.

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Apr 3 at 2014 8:15 PM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:15:58 -0400

1986: The Navy's six-week prep course for the day-long Naval Reactors Nuclear Engineer Qualification exam.

It was challenging enough, but my fiancee and I had also decided to get married four days after the exam. "No pressure"...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 12:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:48:19 -0400

59A course - Basic Strategic Arts Program is mentally challenging with a lot of reading and writing.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 3:41 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:41:31 -0400

Probably learning Persian-Farsi at the Language Institute followed up by either a tie or close second of the Advanced Source Operations Course (now titled Defense Advanced Tradecraft Course).

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 13 at 2014 8:26 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 20:26:34 -0400

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - I was the only enlisted in the course.  It was like a degree in statistics in 4 weeks.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 4:47 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 04:47:25 -0400

1 month winter package at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, great training, high altitude and single digit temps to below freezing wind chills was no fun

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 8:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 08:07:41 -0400

EOD <br>Made it half way through and failed due to a small literally 1/8" mistake.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 2:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:50:06 -0400

I would say Combatives Level 3.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 23 at 2014 8:14 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 20:14:02 -0400

I'm not a school endowed man. I was proud to earn my EIB though.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2014 8:49 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 20:49:21 -0400

Harvey Point Defense Testing Activity Facility, Perquimans County, NC . . .

Work out and swim for upper body strength several times a day for as long as possible. Bring Waterproof Watch, Personal Compass, Kid Gloves, Earplugs, Surf Booties, and EOD Multitool.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Aug 24 at 2014 4:34 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:34:44 -0400

Pathfinder was a tough one. A lot of math and formulas to remember. If I had to do it all over again, I would have definitely read up more on the course and the skills they teach. That may have may made it less stressful...or maybe not...;)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 8:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 08:52:10 -0400

Sapper Leader Course for me. It was hard going in as a young E-5 and being in charge of a 35 man Patrol in the woods and having to tell MSG's and Majors to pull security, or to wake up while they sleep in the Patrol Base. I received my no go for Patrolling but to do it over again.... well lets just say I would be the most loudest and obnoxious guy there. That school is one of the only schools that I know of that can get you a no go and you have no control over it.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 10:24 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:24:04 -0400

For me, it was prototype. I was pretty book smart, so Nuclear Power School wasn't too bad (or maybe it was the 35-5s). But when I got down to the plant, that rocked my world.

As far as NNPTC goes, though, it's fun to see the students who fail out of our pipeline go on to be first in their class at advanced electronics schools.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Aug 24 at 2014 3:22 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:22:00 -0400

Brain work was being an Infantry Officer sent to Field Artillery Advance Course (especially after spending most of 67'-70' in VN and getting rounds on target ASAP-----no bracketing necessary).

Physically - Ranger School & OCS.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Aug 24 at 2014 4:18 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:18:33 -0400

I can't remember which C school it was, but I had a week long class in Yorktown, VA about boxes, packaging, bracing, and dunnage. Who knew there was so much to learn about cardboard boxes? It was challenging because it was so arcane and boring. I know a lot about cardboard though.
The most challenging was AMSEA instructor school in Sitka. I flew into Sitka from the East Coast dropped my bags in the hotel and immediately went to the pool and did survival swim training until about 3 AM Eastern time. The training ended with building a shelter in the woods in the pouring rain and sleeping in it with nothing but what we had on. Another really hard part was just sitting in a survival raft for several hours with what seemed like 50 other people. Everyone wanted to kill everyone else after about an hour.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 7:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 19:54:13 -0400

I would have to say it is a toss up between Ranger school and Field Sanitation. I had to deal with a whole bunch of $h!t in both.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 25 at 2014 2:10 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:10:01 -0400

"Grief and Loss" a psych class that I needed 2 extensions on just to get through it. It was too soon after losing some great friends. The "give us personal examples" portion sent me into hell.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Aug 25 at 2014 2:55 AM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:55:27 -0400

The Coast Guard's Tactical Coxwain's Course. Middle of the 100 degree summer in the sunny south with four of us packaged inside that little go fast boat dressed out in SAR vests and helmets. No A/C.

I don't know what was worse; yanking and banking on the helm and throttles non stop to interdict the immediate threat, or sitting in the navigator's seat calling target bearings and distances knowing that the coxswain was going to jerk the boat onto a new target everytime you said something.

It was even worse during night exercises because the horizon and the water merged in the darkness, and then I truly didn't know which way was up. Always had the sensation of spinning out of control and not being able to stop.

Either way, my middle ear didn't know which way was up because we were turning so often, so hard, and so fast. Every day when we got back to the dock, I wanted to hurl. I'm 6'1'' and only weigh 165, but lost almost 15 pounds in two weeks because after the first day I didn't want to eat before class and couldn't eat after class. Was really glad to earn my Tactical Coxswain's Certification, but was even happier about the course being over.

Response by Cpl Clinton Britt made Aug 25 at 2014 2:56 AM

Cpl Clinton Britt — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:56:35 -0400

Jungle training Panama

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 3:51 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 03:51:58 -0400

Any and every school at Bridgeport, Ca. I love physical training, but during certain times of the year in that place truly had me recalibrate my "suck factor" meter.

Response by CW3 Clayton C. made Aug 25 at 2014 7:08 AM

CW3 Clayton C. — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 07:08:43 -0400

NAVSCOLEOD.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:37:30 -0400

NAVSCOLEOD.

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made Aug 25 at 2014 10:46 AM

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:46:55 -0400

Probably a toss up between Electromagnetic Field Theory and Quantum Mechanics.

..Oh, you meant in the military.. Nothing I have taken in the military ever came across as particularly challenging. As a disclaimer however I never tried for SF, or went to Ranger school, or Sapper, etc. I think the most difficult thing I ever did was the Warriors Leaders course, the 2 week replacement to the month long PLDC. It's not very hard.

Response by MSG Robert Campbell made Aug 25 at 2014 11:04 PM

MSG Robert Campbell — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:04:04 -0400

Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC)

Response by PO3 Anthony Farhner made Aug 26 at 2014 1:13 PM

PO3 Anthony Farhner — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:13:13 -0400

Navy SAR and aircrew school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 11:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:26:57 -0400

AP World History and Honors Civilization in High School...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 10:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 22:24:22 -0400

United States Army Drill Sergeant School

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 3:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:01:41 -0500

Air Assault School. Done it at the tender age of 36.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 11:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 23:36:52 -0500

Enlisted Green Platoon

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 3:42 PM

Amn Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 15:42:18 -0400

Anyone's first selection/indoc course

Response by Cpl Clinton Britt made Sep 26 at 2015 5:10 PM

Cpl Clinton Britt — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 17:10:22 -0400

We normal Marines never got Jump qual spots. If we did you had to compete for them and I never really wanted to jump out of a plane that bad

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Oct 2 at 2015 10:14 PM

MSG Alfred Aguilar — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 22:14:56 -0400

Marriage.

Response by 1SG Dan Doran made Oct 8 at 2015 4:03 PM

1SG Dan Doran — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:03:04 -0400

Pathfinder School

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 4:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:25:32 -0400

In order of challenging:
Bradley Master Gunner Course. 2000 before the laptop era
Pathfinder. 2008. A 3 week flash back from gun school
Light Leaders Course. 1994. The RI's teaching it were just flat out MEAN
MRT. 2013. Don't know what the hell I was thinking of volunteering to go to it....
Air Assault. 1992. Still mad I missed Road March Champ because of a beast from 5th Group I could not catch.
CLS. 1988. WAS scared to death of live sticks on IV.

Response by MSG Tim Gray made Oct 12 at 2015 1:33 AM

MSG Tim Gray — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 01:33:49 -0400

Master fitness trainer course- misleading failure three times a day for 6 weeks

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:24 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:24:57 -0400

Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course, otherwise known as IOC.

Response by SGT William Howell made Apr 29 at 2016 11:41 AM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:41:51 -0400

SHARPS Training 3 drills in a row. All because the soldier our Detachment Sergeant was sleeping with thought she was being harassed. I know...weird!

Response by SGT William Howell made Apr 29 at 2016 11:58 AM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:58:14 -0400

Aviation Electrician Mate's School. 7 months of electrical theory, math, and schematics to change light bulbs on airplanes. I graduated 3ed in my class. Not bad for a kid who quit high school to join the Navy.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 10:01 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 10:01:54 -0400

JM School.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 9:28 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2016 09:28:22 -0400

I agree with SFC Andrew Messick. Cyber Awareness Training. Second hardest was Electrical Motor Rewind School in the Navy. That was pretty freaking hard.

Response by SPC Shawn Durnen made Aug 13 at 2019 11:35 PM

SPC Shawn Durnen — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 23:35:48 -0400

Sapper School

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 3:52 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 03:52:09 -0500

Infantry Plt Sgt Course.

Response by MSG Dennis Duggins made Apr 10 at 2022 4:47 PM

MSG Dennis Duggins — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 16:47:26 -0400

11C BNCOC. Then at 36 The special forces qualification course.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 10 at 2022 6:18 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 18:18:16 -0400

USAF pilot training. Required willingness to study hard and memorize well. Physical demands were not exceptional, but stamina was very important. A resilient personality and body were important. Good mind-body coordination makes flying easier. Those that failed most often did so due to a lack of self discipline.