How hard is it? My understanding is that most people who don't pass either can't manage the rope climb or fail the ruck march, neither or which are an issue for me.
How hard is it? My understanding is that most people who don't pass either can't manage the rope climb or fail the ruck march, neither or which are an issue for me.
It's the world's toughest militia course no doubt that creates the world's greatest militants in human history.
Looking for perspective wrote:
How hard is it? My understanding is that most people who don't pass either can't manage the rope climb or fail the ruck march, neither or which are an issue for me.
It's not hard. If you are thinking about joining the Army there are plenty of great schools and opportunities much more difficult. If you want to be exceedingly successful in the military i.e Special Operating Forces, you need to get rid of the runners mentality of running being the end all be all of fitness as it's simply one facet. Maintaining a balance of strength, endurance, durability, etc should be your focus. Being a 125 pound runner won't get you far. But could probably get you through Air Assault school if those are your only goals.
I was a D1 runner and it took me years to get past the mentality of running being the golden standard for fitness. You need to put on weight and get strong while attempting to keep the running you have developed over the years. Lift heavy weights, run, ruck, do work capacity work outs and lift more heavy weights. There are lots of great work out programs online that can help you transition and prepare. SealFit or Military Athlete are two good ones.Since you likely have very little knowledge of fitness and lifting outside running it's a good start to get an idea how programming works when you do more than run and "circuit training."
I'm not dissing running or you, but figured you are likely a runner since you are on this site and if you're concerned about passing Air Assualt school then might need a kick in the correct direction. Good luck.
I'm in the Army now and might be going this summer; didn't want to fail out on something that was stupid and possibly avoidable, so no need for a lecture on running not being the end-all-be-all of fitness.
I wasn't really concerned about the physical stuff at all, but I've heard the sling load section, tying knots and what have you, is a real b*tch. Obviously I can't get my own helicopter for training, but do you know if there's any reference material on tying knots, that sort of thing, that one could get and do some practicing before going?
For you? The 12 mile ruck run will not be an issue. Most soldiers are dropped on day 1 during the forced march/pt. make it through that and the rest is gravy - except for sling load. Attention to detail is the key to sling load. Listen to the instructors. The rest is easy.
I went through AA at Ft Benning in 2014.
If you have trouble with obstacle courses you will be a day zero drop. They want you to go through the course THEIR way. You will be smoked before and after each obstacle. Our class went from 240 to 190 after day Zero.
Slingload will take out another 10-30%. There are no knots...unless you consider a Swiss seat a knot. No one fails the Swiss seat.
Slingload....slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Out of 180 only 100 got first time goes on Slingload. After retraining and retest we still lost 20. It's not hard, but people make it hard. Follow the process they teach you, and pay attention. Attention to detail is key.
The ruck is nothing.
It is one of the few Army schools to combine quite a lot of physical and mental abilities.
Alan
Looking for perspective wrote:
I'm in the Army now and might be going this summer; didn't want to fail out on something that was stupid and possibly avoidable, so no need for a lecture on running not being the end-all-be-all of fitness.
I wasn't really concerned about the physical stuff at all, but I've heard the sling load section, tying knots and what have you, is a real b*tch. Obviously I can't get my own helicopter for training, but do you know if there's any reference material on tying knots, that sort of thing, that one could get and do some practicing before going?
Air Assault Handbook is online
Alan
The conventional branches of the military (Army, Navy, Coast Guard) were purposely designed by the Founding Fathers in 1776 to be for citizen soldiers and sailors. I.E. the average American, as opposed to a military class/caste of old world of Europe. The conventional branches of the military have a strong history of adhering to as many traditional American values as possible while still retaining military discipline.
Looks fun to me.
My experience from a few years ago: It's medium-hard, with occasional moments of high-stress. "Zero Day" is the hardest physically--you'll have to complete an obstacle course and a physical fitness test in between near-continuous "smoke sessions" (lots of push-ups and flutter kicks). If you're missing one piece of authorized equipment you are supposed to bring, you'll be sent packing--they're looking to get rid of people. After Zero Day, it's not so hard. There's tough Physical Training everyday and a 12-mile ruck march at the end of the course, but most of the day is spent learning technical stuff and training and testing on air assault techniques. You'll probably get a chance to rappel out of a helicopter or do an Aussie rappel off a high tower, which is cool. Just be in great shape when you go, stay highly motivated, and don't spazz out and you'll make it.
malmo wrote:
http://youtu.be/rlxJtHpVqnELooks fun to me.
It is, of course the video has a bit more flair than the actual course.
Oh and about Slingload......you are inspecting a load which has about 50 or so inspection points. You have 2 minutes to find 3 out of 4 deficiencies. These deficiencies could be a misrouted strap, a knot that isn't secure, or a wrong piece of white tie down (1/4in cotton webbing vs 550 cord....both look the same from afar). You inspect 4 loads. This is what people fail a lot....to include LTs, CPTs and higher ranking enlisted (those you would think would have the attention to detail to pass easily).
Alan
Comparisons to Airborne? I don't think we had any failures when I was there for anything skill-related. Most everyone that didn't make it when I was there either had a fear of heights that they weren't aware of, got injured, or did something stupid like miss formation. Probably a few failed the PT test.
Looking for perspective wrote:
Comparisons to Airborne? I don't think we had any failures when I was there for anything skill-related. Most everyone that didn't make it when I was there either had a fear of heights that they weren't aware of, got injured, or did something stupid like miss formation. Probably a few failed the PT test.
It's not even remotely close to Airborne. The fail rate for Air Assault is pretty high, but localized to Day Zero and Slingload.
It's also harder to get an Air Assault slot....unless you PCS to Ft Campbell. There are now a handful of other stand alone AA courses....Benning, Hood, Drum, Bragg I think.....plus the WTC sends out mobile teams. That being said you will typically go through a selection process if your unit gets AA slots. 3ID sent 240 soldiers. My BN got 4 slots. I won our selection competition and got to go to Benning.
Alan
Here anyone who gets the opportunity to attend Air Assault should read this book:
http://www.benning.army.mil/tenant/wtc/content/PDF/AA%20Handook.pdf
Alan
1979 probably a lot different now.
Alan, please keep starting threads anonnymously. We love the Army Mens.
Looks like this thread has been moderated. I wonder why anyone would care about this one.