Purpose: Army Pathfinders are trained to provide navigational aid and advisory services to military aircraft in areas designated by supported unit commanders. The Pathfinders’ secondary missions include providing advice and limited aid to units planning air assault or airdrop operations. During the Pathfinder course students are instructed in aircraft orientation, aero-medical evacuation, close combat assault, ground to air communication procedures, Control Center operations, all three phases of a sling load operation, Helicopter Landing Zone and Pick Up Zone operations, and Drop Zone operations (Computed Air Release Point, Ground Marker Release System, and Verbally Initiated Release System), dealing with U.S. military fixed and rotary wing aircraft for personnel and equipment.
Packets must be turned in to TSAAS 10 business days prior to the course start date. Packets will not be accepted within the 10 day window.
Documents:
- PATHFINDER WELCOME LETTER
- FC FORM 4137
- FY26 Pathfinder Class Dates
- PFDR PACKING LIST
- PFDR WAIVER
- FY 2025 CLASS DATES
- REQUEST FOR LOST ORDERS
- PF PACKET REQ
- SLING LOAD DEFICIENCIES
- PFDR HARD SLOT MEMO
- Changes reflected in this memorandum:
- Officers
- Block 4.a: Expand allowable rank required. (2LT – MAJ)
- Block 4.b: Expand allowed MOSs to include the following: IN, AR, AV, EN, TC, FA, MI, MP, QM, OD, LG, SC and SF.
- Removed requirement to be billeted in an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) 5Q position on the unit MTOE (101st ABN DIV Soldiers Only).
- Enlisted
- Block 5.a: Expand allowable rank required. (PFC- CSM)
- Block 5.b: Expand allowed MOSs to include the following: 11 Series, 12 Series, 13 Series, 15 Series, 18 Series, 19 Series, 25 Series, 31 Series, 35 Series, 88 Series, 91 Series, 92 Series.
- Removed requirement to be billeted in an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) F7 position on the unit MTOE (101st ABN DIV Soldiers Only).
- Prerequisite Changes:
- Block 6.a: Removed waiver requirement for Soldiers not assigned to the unit MTOE (101st ABN DIV Soldiers Only).
- Priority for Pathfinder Training Changes:
- Removed requirement for Soldiers to be billeted in an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) position on the unit MTOE.
- Block 7.a: Ranger Graduation Incentive Program takes priority over Reenlistment Incentive Program for Slotting.
- Block 7.a: Ranger Graduation Incentive Program does not include Officers, regardless of branch.
- Commanders Notes/Highlight:
- Blocks 4.1 and 5.1 state a Soldier must “have 12 months retainability within the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) at completion of the Pathfinder course”. This will be enforced. However, we encourage any service member lacking retainability to arrive to in processing for possibility of receiving a walk-on slot. Walk-on slots are not guaranteed. service members lacking retainability requirements will be placed 3rd in the OML for walk-ons IAW Block 8.
It is recommended to only study the Sling Load Deficiency list on page 66-67 and the Nomenclature's. Do not study anything in the handbook for HLZ's or DZ's as this will confuse you. Wait for the block of instruction from the PFDR cadre!