Army Air Assault School
 

As of next week I am heading to the US Army Air Assault School. I've been researching and studying arduously on the tasks and conditions that I will be undergoing. From what I've researched I've realized that Air Assault's Zero Day is by far the hardest day of the school. Should a student pass Zero Day they work their way to Phase I, II, and III respectively ending the course with a 12 mile ruck march.

However, while I did read the book that was given to me and have begun training for the school (PT is perfect, learned how to tie a Swiss Rapel Seat, etc.) I know that there is information that a book cannot prepare a soldier for everything. I wanted to ask the Quiet Professionals community. I know and realize most of the members here have more than likely attended Air Assault at one point in their military careers. I wanted to ask for advice and general information from a personal point of view on what to expect from Air Assault School.

It's a piece of cake. Just read all the rules first.

Air assault! Air assault! Air assault!
That's about the worst of it...

Everybody (myself included) and his brother and sister has the AA badge, so it is not the toughest course in the army. Back in the days of yore (1975) I went from a 101 rifle company** to the AA school without special preparation. In many ways it was seen as a vacation from daily duty. Today it may be the toughest, hardest, meanest, bloodiest thing out there...but I doubt it.

**C/2/327 which did a 25 mile road march in 6 hours and some minutes.

Sling load washed out a lot of guys in my class.

I am in the Air Assault Course as I type. It is a piece of cake. Zero Day is the "toughest" day, but if you are in any type of physical shape it will be easy. You should not worry.

The physical part is cake, but as 18C4V stated, definetley pay attention and study during the sling load phase, it washed out alot of people in my class also.

I graduated about a month ago. Study during your time off during phase II and you will be fine.

Pray they actually have birds for your cycle or like me you'll have your 34' tower wings.

You used the 34' tower apparatus for Air Assault?

TR

We are doing the tower also. All the aircraft are in reset from the deployment. The next class will have aircraft though.

Maybe in the Leg Army. :D

TR

I won't be at Fort Campbell for Air Assault. I'll be at Fort Knox if that makes any difference.

-Be ready for the rope, it is a short one you start when do the "though one" obstacle which is climb the rope all the way till you get over the beam without the help of your knee, walk on straight beam, get to the net all the way up and down. ( seriously it is not so though one !!)

-After you do the obstacle course, you will change boots to your go fasters, and do the 2 miles run, which you need to pass .

-You are allowed to fail two obstacles , many fail the "short" rope on the "tough one" , the ladder, the wall which is about 15-20 degrees angle .

-After you pass your day zero, make sure to study the notes they gave you while in the class room, they will give you the book, and the fill in notes booklet. Seriously the test is more than 75% from the notes, and the hand signal test just memorize it, and do tons of practice with a buddy.

- When you reach the inspection and finding the deficiency, pay attention to the small things, a pin on castle nut can be the "go" OR "no go" on your test, and while you in the kitchen go around the kitchen table and practice the inspection, the net might be the toughest one, practice the kitchen table method, it worked for me .

- Study, and never give up .

-the 12 miles march is easy, you have to make it within 3 hours which is really easy , have your feet ready, bodyglide, Dr scholls blister free spray from Walgreens will do the trick , you got to drink a full canteen every 3 miles which they will check it when you get to the 3 miles mark, and yes they will be watching for anybody who spill the water, or not even hold the weapon in the way that authorized .

-Good luck.


-Class 23-09

A month after you graduate, you'll kick yourself for being skeered of the course.