Maj. Lloyd Wells
Program Advisor of Army ROTC
Ph:  (540) 464-7818


Main Office Ph:  (540) 464-7351
Fax:  (540) 464-7639

Virginia Military Institute
2020 Kilbourne Hall
Lexington, VA  24450

Contact Army ROTC

Air Assault School

Air Assault SchoolFt. Campbell, KY or Schofield Barracks, HI

The Air Assault School, conducted at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is two weeks of mental and physical challenges. This school is designed to teach air assault skills and procedures, improve basic leadership skills, instill the Air Assault spirit and award the Air Assault Badge.

  • 11 day course beginning with "Zero Day" which soldiers must pass as a prerequisite to the course
  • "Zero Day" includes a variety of obstacle courses followed by a 2 mile run
  • Three phase program of instruction covering Combat Air Assault, Sling loading, and Rappelling
  • Rappelling - You are required to tie a series of knots and conduct graded rappels from walls and helicopters. You must successfully complete three day and two night helicopter rappels.
  • Troop Ladder - You will ascend and descend the troop ladder on a 35-foot tower and a CH-47 helicopter.
  • Rigging and Sling Loading - You will be taught and tested on how to prepare, rig and inspect numerous pieces of Army equipment for helicopter transport
  • Physical Training - PT is conducted daily. Distance runs of up to three miles are standard.
  • Road Marches - You must complete a 6 mile road march in 1 hour and 30 minutes or less; you must also complete, at the end of the course, a 12 mile road march in 3 hours or less.
  • Evaluations - After each phase of training, all students are given a written and practical examination based on a PASS/FAIL system.

To graduate, the student must receive a PASS at the end of each phase. This course, like Airborne, is a fast-paced exercise in mental alertness and physical endurance. You must meet the high standards of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) prior to being awarded the Air Assault Badge.