Air Assault School Overview
The following is a sport-specific 7-week program designed to prepare athletes for the U.S. Army Air Assault School. The plan is designed to be completed the 7 weeks directly prior to your course start week.
This program gets progressively harder each week. Don’t skip ahead!! The plan is designed to build upon itself. If you have to miss a training day, start up back where you left off.
This training program trains for the physical training standards a soldier is expected to pass at Air Assault School, including the 12-Mile Ruck, 6-Mile Ruck, 4-Mile Run, 2-Mile Run and Obstacle Course.
Click HERE for the Course Standards
The plan includes 3 specific assessments and follow-on percentage based progressions which allow the training program to automatically scale to your level of fitness. You’ll take these assessments 3 times over the 7 week program:
- 2 Mile Run for Time
- 5 Mile Run for Time
- 6 Mile Ruck for Time – 40# Ruck, 10lb Rubber Rifle or Sledge Hammer, Full Cammies/Boots
This is Version 2 of the plan, updated July 2025.
TRAINING OVERVIEW:
- Mondays: 2 Mile Run Assessment (Week 1, 4, and 7), 2 Mile Run Intervals (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Tuesdays: Tactical Agility and Bodyweight Flow (Week 1, 4, and 7), Ruck Intervals (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Wednesdays: 4 Mile Run Assessment (Week 1, 4, and 7), Bodyweight Flow and Chassis Integrity (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Thursdays: Bodyweight Flow and Chassis Integrity (Week 1, 4, and 7), 4 Mile Run Intervals (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Fridays: 6 Mile Ruck Assessment (Week 1, 4, and 7), Long Rucks (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
RUCK AND RUN INTERVALS
The training plan includes scaled paces for your 4 Mile Run work, 2 Mile Run work, and 6 Mile Ruck work. These paces are based on your assessment results from the 6-Mile Ruck, 4-Mile Run, and 2-Mile Run. You’ll take these assessments 3 times throughout the plan. Use your latest assessment results for the subsequent training sessions.
We use interval training to train your run and rucking speed. The interval distances are shorter, and pace faster than your latest assessment pace. You’ll use the Running
Obstacle Course Training:
It has been identified that the greatest challenge presented to the candidates of Air Assault Course is the rope climb that precedes the obstacle course which athletes endure on Zero Day. With that said, rope climbs are programmed frequently throughout this program to assess the physical readiness of candidates. To see how to execute proper rope climbing technique, visit this link to our Exercise Catalog.
TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
- Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Timex Ironman is best.
- 40/60# Sandbags (40# for Women, 60# for Men)
- 20 ft Rope or Pullup Bar
- ALICE Ruck or same ruck you will use, 45# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lb sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)
- Highly Recommended – GPS-enabled Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (Garmin Forerunner 10 is recommended ) A GPS enabled watch will make measuring run and ruck distances much easier.
TRAINING ATTIRE:
We recommend you train in your required PT uniform. You may train in utilities at your own discretion, however, understand that it is likely some or most of the physical training sessions during the course may require you to wear the combat utility uniforms. We always recommend doing rucks in full combat utilities.
COMMON QUESTIONS:
How long will sessions take?
Each of the training sessions is designed to take approximately 60 to 75 minutes to complete. Long Rucks will take anywhere from 2 to 3.5 hours.
I don’t have a full 6 weeks before Air Assault School. What do I do?
Start with Session 1 of the program and follow the sessions in order – don’t skip ahead. The training sessions are “progressive” – they build upon one another.
There are two sets of numbers for the exercise. What weight or how many reps do I use for the specified exercise
Why are there two numbers listed for the exercises with assigned loads?
The lower weight is the prescribed weight for women, and the higher is for men, for example, 4x Sandbag Getups at 40/60# means women use a 40# sandbag and men use 60# sandbag.
Unfamiliar Exercises?
Go to http://mtntactical.com/category/exercises/
Questions/Feedback?
Email rob@militaryathlete.com.
Good Luck!
– Rob Shaul
TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
- Timepiece or stopwatch
- Course of known distances or GPS enabled devise to measure distances
- Ruck Weighing 40#
- Rubber Rifle or Dumbbell/Sledgehammer weighing 10#
- 40# Sandbag (women), 60# Sandbag (men)
- Pull-Up Bar Station
- Step Up Box or Bench 16-20” in height
- Climbing Rope up to 15’
SESSION 1
Obj: Assessment – 2-Mile Run No. 1
Warm Up:
—
Training:
(1) Run 2 Miles for Time
RECORD RESULTS
SESSION 2
Obj: Tactical Agility, Bodyweight Flow
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
2x Prone to 40ft Sprint
10x Goblet Squat – 12kg / 25#
10x Push Ups
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
(1) 4 Rounds
Tactical Agility Sandbag Serpentine
– Round 1 @ 75% speed
– Rounds 2–4 @ 100% effort
– Rest 60–90 Seconds Between Rounds
(2) 4 Rounds (wearing 25# weight vest, ruck, or body armor)
Tactical Agility Sandbag Serpentine
– Round 1 @ 75% speed
– Rounds 2–4 @ 100% effort
– Rest 60–90 Seconds Between Rounds
(3) 25-Minute Grind
3x Push Ups
3x Diamond Push Ups
3x Clapping Push Ups
3x In-place Lunge
3x Jumping Lunges
4x Squat
4x Jump Squat
4x Tarzan Pull Up or 20-foot Rope Climb (preferred)
"Grind" = work steadily, not frantically. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest
(4) 1 Round
Foam Roll Complex
SESSION 3
Obj: Assessment – 4-Mile Run No. 1
Warm Up:
—
Training:
(1) Run 4 Miles for Time
RECORD RESULTS
SESSION 4
Obj: Shoulder Blasters, Leg Blasters, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
10x Squat
10x Diamond Push Ups
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
(1) 5 Rounds
Shoulder Blasters – 2.5#, increase to 5# if possible
Rest 60 Seconds Between Rounds
(2) 5 Rounds
Mini Leg Blaster
Rest 30 Seconds Between Rounds
(3) 20-Minute Grind
5x 1-Sided Deadlift (each side) – 15/25#
20/20 Low Back Lunge
5x Sandbag Power Clean – 40/60#, increase to 80# if possible
"Grind" = work steadily, not frantically. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest
(4) 2 Rounds
Instep Stretch
Frog Stretch
SESSION 5
Obj: Assessment – 6-Mile Ruck No. 1
Warm Up:
—
Training:
(1) Ruck 6 Miles for Time
– 40# Ruck + Rifle, Rubber Mallet, or 10# Dumbbell
– This is a timed assessment
– Ruck run the entire 6 miles if possible
– If not, run/walk to finish as fast as you can
– Wear full cammies and boots
RECORD RESULT
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
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If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
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If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you'll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.
What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com