FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- As a military child, Cadet Jeff Garner traveled constantly throughout his military childhood. Every time his military Family moved, he and his siblings would have to go through the familiar yet difficult process of getting used to new schools, finding new clubs and teams to join and making new friends. They would find themselves having to rebuild their world every time.
A lot of military children take these changes in stride but it is hard. Almost harder to fathom, is why they would choose to follow in their parents' footsteps.
But for Garner, this lifestyle was a benefit and not a hindrance.
"When my mom got stationed at Fort Campbell, I went to Fort Campbell High School and got to see what it was actually like being on a military installation," said the former Falcon. "That type of bond the community had -- it was something I was used to and felt comfortable with."
"My mom being in the military definitely had an influence on my decision to pursue an ROTC scholarship," said Garner. "I really like the change I saw, that came with her being in the military and I wanted to do something like that."
Now a junior and member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Kentucky, he recently returned to Fort Campbell to attend Air Assault School as part of his ROTC program and has chronicled his experiences.
Phase II, Day Three
I started day three a bit uneasy. I hardly slept. It was early and I was already nervous. As I entered the schoolhouse grounds, I completed my "five and dimes," and ran to formation. All I heard were echoes of "Air Assault!" as the other students did the same. I spent the next couple of minutes checking my gear, trying to take my mind off the exam I was about to take.
This was the first test day of Air Assault School and it was very nerve-wracking because I did not know exactly what we would be tested on and how difficult the test was. I didn't have that experience -- it's not something I've ever gone out and done (aircraft orientation and aero-medevac procedures.) I've never seen these helicopters up close or worked with them. I've only been on one, so it had me nervous.
The test turned out to be pretty easy if you actually took the time to study the material. The hand-and-arm signal portion was a little more challenging. I second guessed my signals a few times, but in the end I found out that I maxed it. Immediately following the tests we went into Phase II of the course. We moved our gear to the Phase II ropes and then we ran to the classroom. After the classroom we were smoked for a little while before being released.
As students enter schoolhouse grounds on day three of the Sabalauski Air Assault School, they quickly pick up a double-time and complete their pre-formation routine of "five and dimes" and equipment check. As they settle into their respective platoons, nervous looks mirror throughout the formation.
"They now realize Air Assault School is more than fast-roping from helicopters or rappelling from towers," said Staff Sgt. Donald Davenport, an instructor at the Air Assault School. "It's more than just physical training; they have to also perform well on written exams."
Day three begins with Phase I testing which covers all the training they have received thus far, which includes aircraft orientation, aero-medevac procedures, pathfinder operations and combat assault.
"Students take a written test and a hand-and-arm signals exam," said Davenport, also known as a "Black Hat." "They must score a 70 percent or higher on the written portion; otherwise they have to be retrained and retested. In the hands-on portion, they have to demonstrate proper hand-and-arm signals -- as far as being able to guide an aircraft in, pick up a load, move it left, move it right. All the things they need to show the pilot -- that's part of Phase I testing."
These skills will prove to be critical as they continue through the course, as each lesson and skill learned acts as a building block for the next.
Phase II, Day Four -- Cadet Garner
Today's PT was probably one of the hardest physical activities that I had done yet in Air Assault School, other than day zero. We had to complete a two-mile run with our IBA on. I've never ran with any weight on me like that. That was pretty tough. As always, this run seemed a little longer than what we were told.
Many people either slowed up or fell out during this run, which made it even harder when trying to catch up. When some people did fall out, it sucked because you had to make up that room and run back up to catch up with the main group. That made it a little bit harder, but for the most part, everyone was motivated.
What was really cool is they had people out there calling cadence, and they were really getting us motivated. In ROTC we hear the same cadences over and over again, so it was cool hearing the actual ones they used, that some people actually made up or put their own twist on it.
After PT, we were prepared for a day of sling load.
As we filed into the bleachers, I realized something. On day zero, we couldn't even fit in the bleachers. There were too many of us. Now the entire class fit. I was just thankful that I was blessed to make another day.
For the second part of the day we spent time in the class going over sling loads. Following the classroom portion, we were given the opportunity to see all of the loads "clean." This is our first chance to actually look at the equipment that we've been talking about. Not the helicopters but the equipment that would be rigged onto the bottom of the helicopter (500-gallon water trailer, armored HMMWV, fuel blivets, cargo bags and cargo nets). "Clean" meant these were all tied together correctly -- everything was the way it was suppose to be -- ready to go.
As day four begins at the Sabalauski Air Assault School, morning roll call seems to point out the not-so-obvious; the class is reducing in size.
"Students are starting to see -- that battle [buddy] that was beside you and had that next roster number, he's not there anymore ... you kind of start narrowing down the field," said Davenport.
The morning of the fourth day starts with a challenging two-mile IBA run, another indicator of a student's stamina and endurance.
"We continue to gauge student's physical abilities, to determine if they will be able to complete Air Assault School," said Davenport. "It's a 2-mile run, 9-minute mile, although it always seems longer, to them, because they have on their IBA."
After physical training, the students receive an introduction to rigging and sling load training. Students are trained on types of helicopters and limitations, cargo hook reach pendants, sling sets, basic hardware and expendables, cargo carrying devices, safety equipment, hook-up team and signalman duties and responsibilities, and the proper rigging and inspection of loads. Emphasis continues to be placed on attention-to-detail as students are given an opportunity to take part in the rigging and inspection process.
"We take them outside and show them at least two-to-three loads," said Davenport. "The loads are unrigged -- we then take them through all three phases -- the preparation of rigging, we show them how to inspect the equipment before we rig it up, we show them how to rig it up, and then how to properly inspect the load."
Phase II, Day Five -- Cadet Garner
Today was another day full of Sling load inspections. This time the loads were "dirty." When we did the dirty inspection, they would tweak it in some way, add errors, add deficiencies and they wanted us to be able to spot those errors when we looked at it. At least three out of four.
We also got our first chance to work with actual Black Hawks. We simulated directing the helicopter, using the static probe, and connecting the load to the helicopter.
"Day five is always busy," said Davenport. "Today, students are looking at the six most commonly used loads here at the 101st Airborne Division: the M1151 up-armored HMMWV; the 15x15 and 18x18 cargo net; the A22 cargo bag; the M149A2 water trailer; the 500 gallon fuel blivet; and the M119 howitzer."
The day prior, students were taught the proper way to rig and inspect sling loads. On day five they are expected to put their newly acquired skills to the test.
"Students are presented with what we call our "a.m. dirty loads," two loads -- each containing four deficiencies," said Davenport. "They are given two minutes to look over the loads and find their deficiencies, on their own. We walk around asking questions, they're asking questions, and after the two minutes are up, we have a placard behind the load that tells them what the deficiencies were, so they kind of test themselves."
After the morning "dirty loads," students are then required perform a rigging practical exercise.
"Students are actually rigging up to an A-22 cargo bag to a UH-60 Black Hawk," said Davenport. "They work as a team: one person as the signal person (using the skills they learned in their hand-and-arm signals training), the hook-up person, and a static discharge person who is actually underneath the aircraft with one of the instructors, and actually hooking the load up to the aircraft."
"Day five of Air Assault School is challenging," said Davenport. "Students must perform in steps, and those steps must be completed in a specified order in order to move on."
The day-five afternoon training echoes the morning's, with additional practical exercises. Day five then wraps up with a test review in preparation for the next day's exam.
Phase II, Day Six -- Cadet Garner
As I entered the arches today, I found my pre-formation routine to be almost automatic. "Five and dimes," move with a purpose while sounding off smartly, check equipment and then check again … just to be sure. Attention to detail is everything here.
Day six was a day full of testing. We had to take the Phase II written exam and then inspect four sling loads and be able to find at least three out of four errors.
For the exam, we got to look at the books and we got to look at the actual equipment prior to the exam, so I had something that I could go off of … I got to see it with my own eyes and touch it. With the first exam, I had never seen the helicopters up close and I was just going of the book -- it wasn't something I really knew. This time, after seeing it, and then taking the test, it made me a lot more confident, because I actually got to see what I was doing. I was one of the first people done with the written exam. I think it took me like 10-minutes to finish it. I ended up getting a 98.
What sucked though, is afterwards we had to go stand in line for about two hours just waiting to do our sling load inspections. After awhile, as you get closer, it kind of makes you nervous just standing there being quiet, thinking about the fact that you're about to take an exam. This wait added a little pressure to the exam, and then to know if you didn't pass it, you'll be standing around for another two hours because you have to go to the back of the line to retest. There were already at least 12 people waiting in the bleachers, waiting to be retested.
I was able to finish all four in under the two-minute standard. For one of the inspections, I got done with the fuel blivets with about 15 seconds to spare, and that was nerve-wracking … when you look at something and it looks good to you and you can't find anything wrong with it, but you continue to look because you still have time. Luckily, the inspections went pretty smoothly for me.
My mind is now on preparing for tomorrow, our first day of rappelling.
Students begin day six with one goal in mind, pass Phase II testing so they can continue to Phase III, the final phase of Air Assault School. After spending hours on practical exercises the day prior, most students are prepared and ready to move into the next stage.
After completing the written exam, students prepare for their sling load testing, which will encompass the remainder of the day.
"They'll test on four loads and will have two minutes to inspect the load, to find three out of four deficiencies," said Davenport.
Those that fail the written portion are retrained and retested. Students that fail the loads portion must stay behind until testing is complete, to be retrained and retested on the failing one load.
"It's a long day for those guys who didn't pass either," said Davenport.
The training continues to intensify and students now prepare to move to day seven of the course. With each day that passes, more emphasis is placed on accountability and attention to detail, pushing them to meet the strict standards of Air Assault School.
"Everything is a building block to the next level," said Davenport.
Phase III, Day Seven -- Cadet Garner
Today the first time we got to rappel. I was a little anxious. For me, it wasn't even the heights, I mean, yeah, I get a little nervous -- not scared of being up, but more so what happens if you fall … but it was fun. I enjoy doing stuff like that. It was a little bit of an adrenaline rush. It was having fun rather than just getting smoked, but it was very serious at the same time. The "Black Hats" really stressed no talking, no horse-playing or you were an automatic no-go and were kicked out. What made it so nervous for me was that there was an instructor watching your every step, the entire way, so you had to do everything perfect. You didn't want to make any mistakes. If you made three minor mistakes, then you were a no-go. So that was the part I was nervous about -- not about going down the tower.
It began with the basics -- how to carry your rope and how to tie your swiss seat. After that we rappelled from the low ramps focusing on our techniques. When we returned from lunch we rappelled from the high tower to finish the day.
It was cool. A lot of the things I did in FCHS helped a lot. When I was on the raider team for JROTC , we tied swiss seats and did the one line road across trees, over rivers and stuff like that, which made things easier for me. I was appreciative to have that experience.
Mind again focuses on tomorrow. We have a four-mile run in the morning followed by fast-roping. I'm looking forward to day eight.
Now entering their seventh day, students arrive at the Sabalauski Air Assault School ready to begin what they foresee as a "fun day." Day seven begins the ground training portion of the Air Assault School, which focuses on rappelling.
"This is where the big part of attention to detail comes to play," said Davenport. "Making sure all your [equipment] is secured, that way nothing gets caught up in the ropes when they're rappelling."
The morning begins with students being issued their swiss rappel seats, comprised of 13 to 14-feet of 7/16th inch nylon rope. The students are then broken up into groups and taught how to inspect their equipment, how to properly tote their equipment and how to correctly tie and hook their swiss rappell seat. They are also instructed on proper belay procedures and fast rope familiarization. Once the students master theses skills, they perform a series of ramp descents.
"They have an understanding of what needs to be done and they understand the sense of urgency," said Davenport. "They're attention to detail is so much better than on day zero and day one."
After performing two 15-foot ramp descents, which help students refine their newly acquired controlled brake and lock-in hand skills, they move to the 34-foot wall to perform two additional descents.
"It sounds like the "fun" day -- and it is," said Davenport. "They've worked so hard to get to this point. This is the time when they can kind of start enjoying [themselves], because by this point, they're pretty squared away.
"They can see that light at the end of the tunnel," said Davenport. "They only have a few more days left."
Editor's Note: This is the second part of a series detailing a daily account of Cadet Jeff Garner's experience as a student at Fort Campbell's Sabalauski Air Assault School, which he attended Aug 6-21. Portions of his journal appear and have been edited for syntax.
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