Trio of Austin Peay ROTC students graduates from Air Assault School

Jasmine Barrios poses at the famous Air Assault School wearing her new Air Assault pin.

(Posted Oct. 24, 2019)

The Governors Guard ROTC at Austin Peay State University sent three of its students to the Sabalauski Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, this summer.

Communication major Jasmine Barrios, history graduate student Brandon Dickinson and computer information systems major Jertil Robinson attended the renowned school.

“I went to Air Assault School because everyone in my family went, and they encouraged me,” Barrios said. “It’s a good first school to get your feet in the water and maybe afterward do Airborne School.”

Dickinson added: “It opens up additional opportunities. There’s Pathfinder School, and there’s a repel master school. It opens up opportunities to enhance our profiles as we commission into Army officers. It’s instant credibility.”

Barrios, Dickinson and Robinson were among 12 Austin Peay ROTC students who attended military training schools this summer.

“Our cadets performed in an incredible manner this summer and helped our program remain one of the best in the country,” said Lt. Col. Eric A. Westphal, APSU’s professor of military science. “They are all amazing and truly set the standard for others to follow.”

The Fort Campbell school trains soldiers in air assault, sling-load and rappelling operations, and each graduate leaves with the skills to perform in helicopter training and combat. They all earn Air Assault pins and patches, which they can wear throughout their Army careers.

Because of Fort Campbell’s proximity to Austin Peay and the ROTC’s relationship with officials there, the Governors Guard typically sends cadets every summer.

To learn more about the training, go to .

To learn more about the Austin Peay ROTC program, visit .

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