Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Eric Edwardson (front), of Grand Forks, N.D., and Spc. Michael Armentrout, of...... read more read more
By Spc. Kevin Marvig
FARGO, N.D. — Air Assault is one of the more difficult courses that a soldier can enroll in. Though some think it will be a fun and challenging experience, others strive to do it to see if they can make it through and graduate.
The weekend of May 14-15, 15 soldiers with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 191st Military Police Company challenged themselves to try out for a slot at the intensive school that will train them to rappel from helicopters.
Spc. Garrett Belgarde, of Fargo, is familiar with the screening process for Air Assault school.
“I took and passed the screening last year but the course got cancelled,” he said. “I was a little disappointed that I didn’t go, but I’ve been training hard all year and I’m better prepared now.”
The screening process includes a two-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups and a six-mile road march with a weapon and loaded ruck sack.
Spc. Christopher Hickel, of Burlington, N.D., is new to the screening process. He deployed to Kosovo last year as a security officer with the 231st Brigade Support Battalion. He has been in the North Dakota Guard for four years, and chose to do the course to add to the list of schools that he is already attending in an effort to improve himself as a soldier and leader. The courses include Warrior Leader Course and Small Arms Master Gunner school.
To prepare himself, Hickel talked to Spc. Daniel Carpenter, of Fargo, who took and passed the Air Assault course last year. He said his least favorite part will be the first phase of training, which is filled with physical training and little sleep. Nonetheless, he is excited to rappel out of a helicopter.
“The thing that gave us a big step up is the soldiers we had screening us,” Hickel said. “They didn’t hold anything back and had us do things that we’ll be doing at the course.”
The instructors were 1st Sgt. Jesse Hellman, of Bismarck, N.D., and Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Gravseth, of Bismarck, both of whom serve with the 191st Military Police Company. Gravseth became certified as a rappel master during a 2006 course, which he said he attempted “to see if I could do it.”
Now, a newer generation of soldiers is attempting to see if they, too, can do something so challenging.
Of the 15 soldiers with the 191st Military Police Company who stepped up for the tryouts last weekend, 11 will have the option of enrolling in a slot for Air Assault school.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2011 16:22 |
| Story ID: | 70614 |
| Location: | FARGO, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 75 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ND Soldiers Challenge Selves to Qualify for Air Assault School, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT