Should a Soldier be forced to attend Air Assault School?

One good thing about Air assault school is the fact that it's is one the the few schools still remaining that is open to any MOS, any Soldier regardless of age or gender. Within the limits of their profile. Really it's not physical demanding. Ok so you have to climb a rope and negotiate a few obstacles and complete a 12 mile ruck. That's nothing any adult man or woman who has pride in calling themselves a Soldier should not be able to accomplish. Air Assault school is so much more than fast roping from a helicopter. It instills discipline and attention to detail, qualities that the Army was established through. So much training in the Army has converted to online and distance learning. Regardless if you ever secure a sling load or secure an LZ. It's real hands on training and knowledge gained through real time professional instructors training. There are a lot of required training now days in the army that may never apply to your daily duties mandated through AR 350-1. They are command directed and we still do them right? So what is the difference. Knowledge is power and Soldiers should be proud to have the opportunity to explore themselves and earn the air assault badge versus sitting at some computer tapping a way at some pointless slide show to print a certificate. Bottom line is we are Soldiers and Soldiers train to better themselves, their unit and this nation. If your not trying to be a team player and take a little pride in yourself and your unit then maybe the army is better off without you.

<p>Our CCWO who is 52 years old just recently graduated. Our BDE SIP CW4 older than&nbsp;anyone in his class&nbsp;was a Honor Graduate out of 200 who started. Three CSM took and passed the course. Age is not always a factor. &nbsp;All Soldiers will be leaders to include Warrant Officers and should lead by example. </p><p><br></p><p>However, to relate to&nbsp;some of the remarks in terms of&nbsp;no value if you been to combat in a Aviation Task Force you realize many things that AASLT teaches you are&nbsp;utilized in the field. We had numerous frustrated loads down range due to lack of Sling rigging &amp; training. We sat on the gournd waiting for Soldiers to figure out their seatbelts.&nbsp; ** Most importantly we had Soldier unfamiliar with being around aircraft&nbsp;walk up under the wrong part of the aircraft risking harm to themselves and the Air Crew. If nothing else it teaches you how to behave and have a respect for being around the aircraft and&nbsp;aviation operations.&nbsp;If you ever been under a CH-47 it can be an experience.</p><p><br></p><p>Everything in air assault school is already either required by AR 350-1, Post policy or in the PT Manual. So it should not be an issue dong it and we should be training the same tasks regardless.&nbsp;The O Curse is routinely on&nbsp;training schedules for PT and we will do our required 12 mile road marches.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>I will leave the whole profession development aspect out but when the Army needs to cut Soldiers the ones that separate themselves from their peers rise to the top. Oh and it worth promotion points as well. I don't know why anyone would not want a chance to take two weeks off to rappel out or an Aircraft and become a more knowledgeable Soldier.&nbsp; </p><p><br></p><p>It is really about the whole physical thing that freaks Soldiers out - which means they are not in the shape&nbsp;they should be and our PT programs need work&nbsp;- how many fail after day 1 or before the road march? VERY FEW.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Finally as said we are the 101st Air Assault division be proud of your heritage.</p>

Interesting topic SFC Delaney, and in my respectfully humble opinion, the 101st isn't the Ranger Regiment or SF it's a regular Army Divisional unit made up of people that are assigned by needs of the Army not volunteers. Your unit is just like all the others except your mode of transportation is a helicopter. Personally, I can respect the honor and traditions that the 101st has as the only Air Assault Division but cannot understand how it's mandated that people attend a course little alone if you're a leader and don't have it you don't get to be a leader? Hog wash! One of the best commanders I met in the 101st was BG Pete Johnson and he wasn't ASSLT qualified. The other point is what you learn there to what you must do in your everyday jobs. How often do you guys repel out of helicopters outside of what you do at the school? How often are you preparing sling loads in your units? And lastly, WTH does air assault school have to do with actually assaulting an objective in helicopters?&nbsp;