Summer Training
Airborne School
Army Airborne School is a three week course held at Fort Benning, GA. The three weeks are divided into Ground Week, Tower Week, and Jump Week.
Ground Week
During Ground Week, you begin an intensive program of instruction to build individual airborne skills, prepare you to make a parachute jump, and land safely. You will train on the mock door, the 34 foot tower, and the lateral drift apparatus (LDA). To go forward to Tower Training Week, you must individually qualify on the 34 foot tower, the LDA, and pass all physical training (PT) requirements.
Tower Week
The individual skills learned during Ground Week are refined during Tower Week and team effort or "mass exit" concept is added to the training. The apparatuses used this week are the 34-foot towers, the swing landing trainer (SLT), the mock door for mass exit training, the suspended harness, and the 250-foot free tower. Tower Week completes your individual skill training and builds team effort skills. To go forward to Jump Training Week you must qualify on the SLT, master the mass exit procedures from the 34-foot tower, and pass all PT requirements.
Jump Week
Successful completion of the previous weeks of training prepares you for Jump Week. During Jump Week you will make 5 jumps. One of which will be a night jump.
Graduation is normally conducted at 1100 on Friday of Jump Week at the south end of Eubanks Field on the Airborne Walk. However, if weather, or some other reason delays the scheduled jumps, graduation may be conducted on Fryar Drop Zone (DZ) after the last jump. Guests and family members are welcome to observe all of the jumps at the DZ, attend the graduation ceremony, and participate in awarding the wings. Fryar DZ is located in Alabama on the Fort Benning Military Reservation. Following graduation you are allowed to depart for leave, or your next duty assignment. Guests and family members may qualify for billeting privileges at the Gavin House on Fort Benning. They can determine their billeting eligibility by calling the Fort Benning Billeting Office at (706) 689-0067.
Air Assault School
Army Air Assault school is a two week course held at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The course is divided into three phases: Combat Assault Phase, Sling Load Phase, and the Rappelling Phase.
Phase I: Combat Assault Phase
During the Combat Assault Phase, soldiers receive instruction on the following tasks: Aircraft Safety, Aircraft Orientation, Aero Medical Evacuations, Pathfinder Operations, and Combat Assault Operations including simulated combat assault on UH-60 aircraft.
Soldiers are given two tests: Written--50 question multiple choice, which the soldiers must receive 70% in order to pass, and the Hands-on--they are tested on 10 hand and arm signals and must correctly execute 7 of the 10 in order to pass. Soldier must pass both tests to move on to the Sling Load Phase. Soldiers are allowed one retest per exam.
Physical Fitness during this phase includes: Guerilla Drills and a 3 mile ability group run, push-up improvement.
Phase II: Sling Load Phase
During the Sling Load Phase, soldiers receive instruction on the following task: Preparation, rigging and inspection of the following loads: M119 105mm Howitzer, M998 HMMWV, M998 HMMWV, Shotgun configuration, Fuel Blivets, Cargo Nets, LMTV, and Actual hook-up of a load underneath a CH-47.
Soldiers are given two test: Written--30 question multiple choice, which a soldier must score 70% in order to pass, and Hand-on--students are tested on 4 of the 6 loads taught, which a soldier must pass both tests to move on to the Rappelling Phase. Soldier are allowed one retest per exam.
Physical Fitness: 3 mile ability group run/sit-up improvement, 6 mile road march with 25lbs. of equipment in 1.5 hours.
Phase III: Rappelling Phase
During this phase soldiers receive instruction on the following tasks: Tying of the Swiss rappel seat, Hook-up techniques, Lock-in procedures, Combat rappel, and Belay procedures.
Soldiers will conduct 2 rappels on the wall side of the 34' tower 9-12 rappels from the open side, and 2 rappels from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter with and without equipment.
Soldiers are tested on: Tie the Swiss rappel seat in 90 seconds with no deficiencies, Conduct 3 rappels; Non combat equipment (Hollywood) with the breaks, lock-in rappel, combat equipment rappel with three breaks. Soldiers must pass both tests to graduate and are allowed one retest per exam.
Physical Fitness: 4 mile ability group run, Circuit training, and 12 mile road march with 25lbs of equipment in 3 hours.
Northern Warfare School
The Northern Warfare Training Center is currently a US Army Pacific asset operating under the control of the Commanding General, United States Army, Alaska. The Center is responsible for training US Army Pacific soldiers and units how to operate effectively in cold regions or mountainous terrain. NWTC is responsible for maintaining the United States Army Mountaineering Team, who are trained in state-of-the-art mountaineering techniques which include technical climbing skills, high altitude and winter mountaineering.
NWTC current mission is as follows:
- Conduct basic and advanced training in mountain and extreme cold weather for the US Army Pacific and the US Army
- Equip, support, train and maintain the US Army Mountaineering Team. Be prepared to assist in mountain and cold regions search and rescue operations
- Support US Army Pacific's expanded Relations Program
The Northern Warfare Training Center offers four different classes that vary from winter battlefield operations, cold weather risk management, and training soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain.
The four classes are described below:
Title: Cold Weather Operations- Command and Staff Orientation (CSOC).
Scope:
To familiarize commanders and staff officers with the knowledge/skills required in successfully planning and conducting operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, effects of the winter environment on operations, and planning considerations unique to the winter battlefield and cold regions. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course of instruction.
Prerequisites:
- Enlisted personnel: E-7 and above
- Officer personnel: CW3/O-3 and above
Reporting Instructions
The CSOC begins at 0630 on the published course start date and ends at 1130 on the end date. Attendees must arrive at the Black Rapids Training Site (BRTS) between 1200 hrs and 1500 hrs ON THE REPORT DATE. Due to limited parking at the Black Rapids Training Site; POV travel is not authorized. Unit is responsible for inter Alaska travel. There is no separate issue facility at BRTS; Soldiers arriving without the prescribed clothing and equipment items may be denied admissions to the course. There are no PX facilities at BRTS; attendees must bring adequate personal hygiene items/sundries to last the duration of the course.
Title: Cold Weather Operations - Cold Weather Leader Course (CWLC).
Scope To train squad and platoon level leaders in the knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, use of basic cold weather clothing and equipment, winter field craft, snowshoe/ski techniques and winter/cold regions navigation and route planning. Attendees will receive comprehensive instruction/training materials enabling them to implement basic cold weather and ski training programs within their units. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course of instruction.
Prerequisites
- Enlisted personnel: E-4 thru E-7
- Commissioned officer personnel: WO1, CW2/O-1, O-2 platoon-level leaders.
- All students must have no P-2Ǚ or temporary profile's) under the P, U, or L columns of the physical profile serial code (PULHES) code
- Attendees must meet minimum physical training and weight standards
- No temporary or permanent profile restricting exposure to cold temperatures
- Security clearance required: None
Reporting Instructions
The CWLC begins at 0630 on the published course start date and ends at 1130 on the end date. Attendees must arrive at the Black Rapids Training Site (BRTS) between 1200 hrs and 1500 hrs ON THE REPORT DATE. Due to limited parking at the Black Rapids Training Site; POV travel is not authorized. Unit is responsible for inter Alaska travel. There is no separate issue facility at BRTS; Soldiers arriving without the prescribed clothing and equipment items may be denied admissions to the course. There are no PX facilities at BRTS; attendees must bring adequate personal hygiene items/sundries to last the duration of the course.
Title: Mountain Operations - Basic Mountaineering Course.
Scope:
To train selected soldiers in the fundamental knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in typical mountainous terrain found throughout the world during summer months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 mountaineering tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 90-6, Mountain Operations (1999 Revision).
Prerequisites:
- Enlisted personnel. E-4 thru E-7
- Officer personnel. WO1, CW2/O-1, O-2
- All students must have no P-2Ǚ or temporary profile's) under the P, U, or L columns of the physical profile serial code (PULHES) code
- Attendees must meet minimum physical training and weight standards
- All students must have no uncontrollable fear of heights
- Security clearance required: None
Reporting Instructions
The BMC begins at 0630 on the published course start date and ends at 1130 on the end date. Attendees must arrive at the Black Rapids Training Site (BRTS) between 1200 hrs and 1500 hrs ON THE REPORT DATE. Due to limited parking at the Black Rapids Training Site; POV travel is not authorized. Unit is responsible for inter Alaska travel. There is no separate issue facility at BRTS; Soldiers arriving without the prescribed clothing and equipment items may be denied admissions to the course. There are no PX facilities at BRTS; attendees must bring adequate personal hygiene items/sundries to last the duration of the course.
Title: Mountain Operations - Assault Climber Course
Scope:
To train selected soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during summer months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 mountaineering tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 90-6, Mountain Operations (1999 Revision).
Prerequisites
- Enlisted personnel. E-4 thru E-7
- Officer personnel. WO1, CW2/O-1, O-2 platoon-level leaders
- All students must have graduated from the Basic Mountaineering Course
- All prerequisites listed for the BMC apply for the ACC
- BMC graduates must achieve the ACC selection standard during the completion of the basic course
- Soldiers must demonstrate complete mastery of the basic skills, possess no excessive or uncontrollable fear of heights, and demonstrate a minimum level of rock climbing proficiency to be selected for the ACC
- Performance/written evaluations are used in the selection process.
- Security clearance required: None.
Reporting Instructions
The ACC begins at 0630 on the published course start date and ends at 1130 on the end date. Attendees must arrive at the Black Rapids Training Site (BRTS) between 1200 hrs and 1500 hrs ON THE REPORT DATE. Due to limited parking at the Black Rapids Training Site; POV travel is not authorized. Unit is responsible for inter Alaska travel. There is no separate issue facility at BRTS; Soldiers arriving without the prescribed clothing and equipment items may be denied admissions to the course. There are no PX facilities at BRTS; attendees must bring adequate personal hygiene items/sundries to last the duration of the course.
Mountain Warfare School
Mountain Warfare School is a two-week course taught by the Vermont National Guard at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vermont. Both a summer and a winter phase are offered. The training is designed to make you an expert in mountain operations. Mountain Warfare School is both physically and mentally demanding. Training is non-stop, 15 hours per day, for 14 days. If you can carry a 65-pound rucksack up to five miles per day in mountainous terrain and are competent with both day and night land navigation you may have what it takes to complete this intense training. A further outline of the course can be found below.
Mission
- To provide SQI "E" Training for ARNG, USAR & AC.
- To develop and conduct training for the Department of the Army in basic and advanced mountain warfare and cold weather skills and tactics to be employed by combat units during all climatic conditions.
- To train supported units in mountain warfare and cold weather skills; to provide technical assistance and advice to supported units in the conduct of mountain operations
- To train, equip, and maintain a high angle mountain search and rescue team
Purpose
Throughout the course of history, armies have been significantly affected by the requirement to fight in the mountains. With approximately 38 percent of the world