Hi!
I was initially trained by the US Army, and they did sort of a max performance takeoff as normal.
Then, at USAF transition training, the takeoff was made very close to the ground, getting through translational lift ASAP, and then climbing away. I believe it is much safer the USAF way, and not sure why the Army training was different.
cliff
NBO
PS-If U R cruising at 500' in a helo, and have an engine failure, with good landing places below you, it is no problem.
Recently had a very experienced EMS pilot in KGRB have a tailrotor failure on an avionics test flight, and he did not make it. He avoided killing anyone on the ground, so that was a good thing.