University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point ROTC students did themselves and the university proud during their two weeks of training earlier this month at the Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ky.

"For seven of our eight student participants to graduate from this demanding two-week exercise is quite an accomplishment," said Major Ralph Sliwicki, professor of military science at UWSP. "While I am proud of all of our recruits, seven now have a 101^st Army Assault School badge to wear on their uniforms."

According to Sliwicki, the average pass rate for the approximately 200 slots at the school is about 45 percent. Last year only one of four UWSP participants passed the two-week course. The three phases of the training include combat assault, sling load and rappelling.

During the combat assault phase, instruction was given in aircraft safety, aircraft orientation, aero medical evacuations, pathfinder operations and combat assault operations including simulated combat assault on UH-60 aircraft. In addition, there was a written test as well as a hands-on test of 10 hand and arm signals.

For the sling load training, soldiers were asked to rig and inspect a 105mm Howitzer for loading underneath a Chinook-47 helicopter. Again a written and hands-on test was given.

Instructions on the various ways to rappel included two rappels from a Blackhawk helicopter. The cadets were then tested on various rappel methods, as well as a four-mile ability group run and a 12-mile road march with 25 pounds of equipment to be completed in three hours or less.

All seven graduates of the Assault School are now qualified and licensed to rig external cargo and rappel from U.S. Army aircraft.

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