Day Zero

Soldiers are not considered "Air Assault Students" until they complete Day Zero, the first day of the course, which includes an obstacle course, two-mile (3.2 km) run, and extensive physical training.

Inspection

A meticulous inspection of each soldier's 16 kg (35-pound) ruck sack is conducted after the 9.7 km (6 mile) foot-march on Day One. Soldiers must have all items on the packing list each student is given, with each item clean and serviceable (in usable condition). A soldier who loses any item can be immediately dropped from the course. The inspection has a very specific lay-out that the soldier must adhere to. Every item must be placed exactly how the Air Assault instructors have displayed the items, and all items must be laid out "as worn."

Two-mile run and obstacle course

Student traverses obstacle course during Day Zero of Air Assault School

Students must complete a two-mile (3.2 km) run in under 18 minutes to receive a "GO" — i.e., satisfactory completion of the event. The uniform for the run is Army Combat Uniform (minus the ACU Top depending on the season in which the training cycle begins) with running shoes.

Next is an obstacle course designed to assess a student's upper body strength, agility, endurance, confidence, and ability to perform at heights without displaying fear or distress. There are nine obstacles: two mandatory obstacles (failing either will result in being dropped from the course) and seven minor obstacles (a soldier may fail one and still continue).

Instructors use the obstacle test to determine whether a student will be able to complete Air Assault School without endangering themselves, instructors, or other students during the demanding course.

Phase One (Combat Assault)

Students rehearse ground maneuvers during Combat Assault Phase

During the 3-day Phase One (Combat Assault), soldiers receive instruction in:

• Aircraft Safety
• Aircraft Orientation: characteristics and capabilities of Army aircraft
• Aero Medical Evacuation: the capabilities of and request procedures for MEDEVAC aircraft
• Pathfinder Operations: landing-zone selection, marking and operation for day and night missions involving multiple aircraft, including sling loads
• Hand-and-arm signals: 17 hand-and-arm signals used during sling load operations
• Close Combat Attacks: use of attack for close air support
• Combat Assault Operations: includes various factors encompassed in an air assault operation such as: components of an air assault mission, the reverse planning sequence, duties and responsibilities of platoon-level personnel during an air assault, static load training, and a simulated combat assault on UH-60 aircraft

Soldiers are given two tests: a written test of 50 multiple-choice questions and a test of 10 of 16 hand-and-arm signals. Students must get at least 70% of the questions and seven of the signals right to pass and advance to the Sling Load Phase. They are allowed one retest per exam.

Phase Two (Slingload Operations)

Students brace against the rotor-wash of a UH-60 Black Hawk as they prepare to attach a sling load during one of the practical exercises.

The three days of Phase Two (Slingload Operations) includes training on:

• Planning and preparation for sling load operations
• Capabilities, characteristics, and use of sling load equipment
• Duties and responsibilities of sling load personnel
• Familiarization with sling load theory and rigging of non-standard loads

Students receive hands-on training on preparation, rigging, and inspection of several certified or suitable external loads. These may include the following loads:

• M1097 HMMWV
• M1097 HMMWV, shotgun/side-by-side configuration
• M1151 HMMWV
• M119 105mm Howitzer
• M149A2 Water Trailer
• A-22 Cargo Bag
• Fuel Blivets (one, two, three, or four blivit configuration)
• 2,250 kg (5000 lbs) or 4,500 kg (10,000 lbs) Cargo Net

The soldiers will also conduct an actual hook-up of a load underneath a CH-47 or UH-60 aircraft.

Soldiers must pass two tests to move on to the next phase:

• Written: Soldiers must correctly answer 70 percent of 50 multiple-choice questions to receive a "GO".
• Hands-on: Students are tested on four of the six loads taught. Students must identify three out of four preparation and/or rigging deficiencies within two minutes per load to receive a "GO".

Soldiers are allowed one retest per exam.

Phase Three – Rappelling Phase

Students practice rappelling from a UH-60 Black Hawk during Air Assault School

The 3-day Phase Three (Rappelling Phase) includes instruction on basic ground and aircraft rappelling procedures:

• Tying of the hip-rappel seat (Swiss seat)
• Hook-up techniques
• Lock-in procedures
• Rappel with and without combat equipment
• Belay procedures
• Fast rope familiarization

Soldiers conduct two rappels on the wall side of the school's 34-foot (10 m) tower, 9 to 12 rappels from the open side, and two rappels from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter hovering at 21–27 m (70–90 ft). All rappels are conducted with and without combat equipment. During fast rope familiarization, students conduct a controlled descent and a static hold for five seconds. Students that successfully conduct both descents from a 12-foot (3.7 m) platform then descend from the 34-foot (10 m) tower using the stack-out/rapid exit technique. Fast rope descents are conducted without combat equipment. Soldiers are tested on:

• Tie the Hip rappel (Swiss) seat (the 90-second time limit has been reinstated)
• Hook-up to a rappel rope without deficiency (the 15-second time limit has been reinstated)
• Conduct three rappels: lock-in rappel, rappel without combat equipment (also known as a "Hollywood" rappel) with three controlled brakes, and combat equipment rappel with three controlled brakes

Soldiers must pass all tests to move on to the next phase; they are allowed one retest per exam. The standards of this course are so strict because failure to master the skills increases the chances of an accident. The margin for error in this type of training is small.

12-mile ruck march

The final event is the 12-mile (19 km) ruck march, which soldiers must complete with the prescribed uniform and equipment in three hours or less or fail to graduate. Upon completion of the ruck march, soldiers lay out all items in the packing list. A lack of any item prevents the soldier from graduating.