Pathfinder Standards

Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold the rank of E-4 or above (or equivalent) and meet current APFT standards. Pathfinder School is open to all services. Prior airborne qualification is not required but is common among attendees.

What You Must Demonstrate

• Precision land navigation using map, compass, and protractor to survey DZ/LZ sites
• Accurate wind computation and establishment of computed air release points (CARPs)
• Setup and operation of visual and electronic navigational aids for aircraft guidance
• Rigging and inspection of all standard Army sling-load configurations
• Helicopter hookup procedures and load-calculation methods for sling-load operations
• Ground-based air traffic control of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft at austere sites
• Minimum 70% score on all written and practical examinations in each phase

How You're Evaluated

Pathfinder School uses a combination of written examinations and hands-on practical evaluations. Each of the three phases culminates in both a written test and a practical assessment. Students must achieve a minimum score of 70% on every examination to continue in the course.

Precision is the defining standard. A dropped decimal in a wind calculation, a misaligned navigational aid, or an incorrectly rigged sling load are not merely errors — they are failures. The approximately 50% graduation rate reflects the unforgiving academic rigor that sets Pathfinder apart from most Army courses. Students who fail a single exam may be recycled to the next class at the commander's discretion.