Posted on Mar 19, 2014
Should a Soldier or NCO that is Pathfinder qualified and SLIC (Sling Load Inspector Certified) be pushed to go to Air Assault school?
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Here is a question, I was very fortunate to attend SLIC (Sling Load
Inspector Course) the week during 9-11-01, I will never forget where I
was when that happened. After completion of that course I was charged
with standing up a sling load platoon for my Unit (A. Co. 53rd BSB FL
National Guard) During our weekend drills and AT that is what we did,
sling load supplies forward to the INF BNs. Then in 2003 I was asked to
go to US Army Pathfinder school and I earned my torch. Then in 2008 I
deployed with 3rd IBCT-1st INF to Afghanistan and because I was the most
the senior Pathfinder in the Cav Sguadron my unit supported I was
selected to be the S3 Air and the senior sling load OIC in our AOR. I
had to figure out how to safely sling load some very unique external
loads that are not taught in AA School or Pathfinder School its knowing
your air items and how to use them in a very unique situation. I have
not attended AA school due to medical limitations but with my experience
in AA operations and Sling Load Ops I can lead by example in the AA
world without being an AA school grad. The question is with my
experience should I still be forced to go?
Inspector Course) the week during 9-11-01, I will never forget where I
was when that happened. After completion of that course I was charged
with standing up a sling load platoon for my Unit (A. Co. 53rd BSB FL
National Guard) During our weekend drills and AT that is what we did,
sling load supplies forward to the INF BNs. Then in 2003 I was asked to
go to US Army Pathfinder school and I earned my torch. Then in 2008 I
deployed with 3rd IBCT-1st INF to Afghanistan and because I was the most
the senior Pathfinder in the Cav Sguadron my unit supported I was
selected to be the S3 Air and the senior sling load OIC in our AOR. I
had to figure out how to safely sling load some very unique external
loads that are not taught in AA School or Pathfinder School its knowing
your air items and how to use them in a very unique situation. I have
not attended AA school due to medical limitations but with my experience
in AA operations and Sling Load Ops I can lead by example in the AA
world without being an AA school grad. The question is with my
experience should I still be forced to go?
Posted in these groups: 
Air Assault School
Pathfinder School
Air Assault School Pathfinder School
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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SSG Guzman,
Should you be forced to go to Air Assault School? Possibly not. Would it still be beneficial to you, yes. I myself have attended all three courses and there are slight variations in each.
For starters you don't get any of Air Assault Phase Three (the tower, or rappelling and fast roping phase) in either of the other two courses. Learning these basic techniques can allow you to attend more advanced courses such as Rappel Master, or FRIES/SPIES Master later on.
Additionally depending on where you earned your torch, and given that it was now over ten years ago, the information put out in Phase One (the classroom phase) will have changed even if only slightly. This includes information on Army aircraft, especially the aircraft you will find in the 101st, Aeromedevac procedures, Combat Assault operations, as well as Pathfinder operations. Even if you are already aware of the majority of this information as a leader it can't hurt to be aware of the information your Soldiers are learning as it may be slightly different from your past experiences.
In regards to duties as a sling load inspector you are correct in saying that you must meet at least one of the three criteria; E-4 or above and a graduate of either Pathfinder, Air Assault, or SLICC (Sling Load Inspector's Certification Course) however, the standards are not the same across all three courses. Air Assault Phase Two (the sling load phase) focuses on Gold Book standard while Pathfinder and SLICC focus on doctrine. Because of this there are variations in where breakaways are placed or what exactly needs to be secured or shatter proofed on each load. While you could simply open up the Gold Book and applicable TM's to reference these differences attending Air Assault School would be refresher training at the very least.
Also FYI FM 4-20.197 is no longer an active FM.
FM 4-20.197 was replaced by TM 4-48.09
FM 4-20.198 was replaced by TM 4-48.10
FM 4-20.199 was replaced by TM 4-48.11
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As an Air Force guy I attended Pathfinder 6 years before Air Assault. Once I PCS'd to Ft. Campbell, I felt there was benefit for more the Airmen I supervised to know that I was willing to go. It is the Division standard and every leader should be required to attend.
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CPT (Join to see)
Just out of curiosity, sir, what do you do in the AF that requires Pathfinder and Air Assault?
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The fact that you passed both without going to AASLT speaks volumes. Pathfinder is a very difficult course, and AASLT and Jumpmaster help a bit. Unfortunately for you, Campbell is really pushing to have more people AASLT qualified. Honestly, I would just take the course. That way, it is over. Yeah, for you, you won't learn much, maybe rappelling, but you will "fit the mold" better there. You could also present your situation and experience to the school and see what comes of it.
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