Air Assault School

What is Air Assault School?
This course is an intense, 10 day experience designed to give leaders a basic understanding of Army helicopter missions. There is some class room instruction, but it is mostly hands-on and performance oriented. Cadets have the opportunity to rappel from several helicopters used by the Army.

What Should I Know About Air Assault School as a Cadet?
This is one of the most punishing schools the Army has to offer. Slots for this school are difficult to get, and James Madison University typically only sends one or two cadets there a year. Air Assault School is held at any of 3 locations, including Fort Campbell, Kentucky, West Point, New York, and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Air Assault consists of three phases: Combat Assault Phase, Sling Load Phase, and the Rappelling Phase. Air Assault School begins with an obstacle course designed to weed out the weaker soldiers from this intensive course. A majority of the obstacles must be successfully passed in order to train. Those who fail are considered No-Go's and sent home. This school ends with a 12 mile forced road march each soldier must complete within 3 hours while carrying a 25-30 lb rucksack. It is because of this road march, as well as the others completed throughout the course, that Air Assault School is considered to be so challenging.

Who Can I Talk to About Air Assault School?
Many JMU ROTC cadets have successfully completed Air Assault School, as well as some of our cadre. Anytime you see someone with a patch that looks like the patch below, ask them if you can have a few minutes of their time.

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