Air Assault School (off topic)

[Sean McEntee]

    Ft Hood now has an Air Assault Course that started up a few years ago.  With all of the budget cuts, the post is trying to quantify having their own course by sending everyone they can through it.  Priority is Junior Noncomissioned officers (SGTs and SSGs) with high PT scores.  As a SSG with a 285/300 PT score, its a sure bet I'll be going sometime in the next 6 months.

     I know the Army has changed a ton in the 9 years I've been in, but if any Army vets out there went through the AA course at any time at Ft Campbell or elsewhere, care to share your story? 

Cheers,
Sean

[55chevr]

Airborne School. Fort Benning - not sure how similar.


Joe

[Sean McEntee]

i did jump school at benning also.  probably the most fun training in my career to date.

[George Hostler]

(deleted)

[Balsa Butcher]

Just to clarify...Air Assault is the school teaching ground troops how to operate around and fight using helicopters. You will enjoy it Sean. No, I didn't go through it but as a former Army Aviator I've flown a few air assaults in my time. Nothing like going into a dusty LZ with a Huey full of screaming troops and 12 other helicopters trying to maintain a two rotor disc (or closer) separation. Go around?, hover?, it ain't gonna happen, this one is to the ground! I'm sure that with the UH-60's things are a little less crazy but still an adrenalin rush.

Advice: Around helicopters, act deliberately, maintain situational awareness. Do not approach a running helicopter  until the crew gestures for you to do so. Carrying a radio?, make sure the antenna is stowed, it really pisses off the crew chief if you stick it into the rotor. In rough or mountain terrain, exit and enter to and from the from the down hill side. It happens too often that troops, or even crewmembers walk into the main rotor by either exiting toward the uphill side or walking from the uphill side into the spinning blades - AND apply for Warrant Officer flight training. You would be a natural. "Army Aviation, Hope of the Nation..." 

[Dan McEntee]

i did jump school at benning also.  probably the most fun training in my career to date.

    Except for that last landing, I'll bet . Check in with your Uncle Ted. He did a two week "refresher course" down at The Hood back when I was still living at home. I have NEVER seen any one that mad as he was the day he got the letter issuing the orders, even after getting it in writing that he would not have to do any reserve time after getting an early out after the end of the Viet Nam conflict. As I remember it, he went reluctantly, but talked a lot about it when he got back. Talked about doing night jumps from Hueys and such MAke sure you got them boots laced up tight!
   Type at you later,
     Dad

[James Mills]

Sean,

That was a school I wanted but never was able to get a slot.  I hope you get in.

James

[Bill Johnson]

Went thru in the mid 80s and I'm still at Ft. Campbell!

Day 1, jump to the front of the line for the obstacle course. It will give you the most time to rest before the road march that follows.
Final road march: Airborne shuffle all the way. You'll do fine.