Soldiers pre-qualify for Air Assault School

By Sgt. Jonathan C. ThibaultOctober 21, 2014

Soldiers pre-qualify for Air Assault School
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Five Soldiers from Company B, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, practice rope climbs at Pershing Field on Fort Carson, Colo., to prepare to attend Air Assault School, Oct. 14.

(Photo by Sgt. Jonatha... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Soldiers pre-qualify for Air Assault School
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, COLO. -- The 5 Soldiers from Company B, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, posing at Pershing Field on Fort Carson, Colo., after becoming the most qualified Soldiers from their unit to attend Air Assault Schoo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Soldiers crossed the finish line breathing rapidly with sweat dripping from their brows after a grueling 12-mile ruck march on Fort Carson, Oct. 2.

The ruck march was one of the pre-qualifying events to select five of 31 candidates from 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, to attend Air Assault School.

"We are testing our Soldiers' ability to successfully pass the Air Assault School at Fort Hood, Texas," said Staff Sgt. James Santore, air assault coordinator, Company B, 404th ASB. "We intentionally test them harder than they would get tested at school so that they're able to complete the school much easier."

Santore said all the candidates were strong competitors, but Spc. David Mutuse, aviation electrician, stood out above his peers.

"(He) scored more than 300 on the extended scale of the Army Physical Fitness Test," said Santore. "The next day we conducted a timed 12-mile ruck march which they had to complete in less than three hours. Mutuse came in first with a time of 2 hours, 7 seconds. He has really clinched his slot for Air Assault School."

Following early success, Mutuse was confident he would be among the five candidates selected for Air Assault School.

"I love doing things that are physical," Mutuse said. "I trained hard for the chance to go to school. Although I did very well in the first two events, and think I will continue to do well, I think I could have done much better. I look forward to the chance to get air assault qualified so that I can help train my fellow Soldiers."

In addition to Mutuse, Spcs. Simon Mutai and Maricris Rivera, and Pfcs. Jack Brook and Jordan Metzler were selected to attend Air Assault School.

Santore said the competition is not designed to test just their physical fitness but also their mental fortitude.

"Our order of merit for the Soldiers being picked to get the slots is not based solely on their fitness but also their ability to think and pay attention to detail," said Santore. "Even though we don't have a true air assault course, we simulate those courses the best we can to prepare our five candidates to not only pass the course but be the best at school."