Throughout the course of history, armies have been significantly affected by the requirement to fight in the mountains. With approximately 38 percent of the world’s landmass classified as mountains, the Army must be prepared to deter conflicts, resist coercion, and defeat aggression in mountains as in other areas.
- The purpose of the SQI "E" Course, Military Mountaineer, is to train soldiers in the specialized skills required for operating in mountainous terrain, under all climatic conditions, day and night.
- These courses teach soldiers how to use adverse terrain and weather conditions to their advantage as a combat multiplier. This aids in preserving the unit strength and combat power to achieve mission success.
- Our ultimate objective is to teach MOBILITY.
071-SQIE (SUM) Basic Military Mountaineer Summer Course
The course is 14 days of continuous training, with an average of 14 hours of training every day. The emphasis during the course is on practical, realistic, and strenuous hands-on skills which are consistent with current Army doctrine. At times the physical condition of the student approaches exhaustion. During the course, the student becomes increasingly proficient in the fundamentals, principles, and techniques of conducting small unit operations in mountainous terrain.
The Army Mountain Warfare School teaches a TRADOC approved course of instruction in basic Military Mountaineering. After completion of both Level 1 Courses, soldiers are awarded the SQI "E", Military Mountaineer IAW DA Pam 611-21. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 Basic Mountaineer tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6 Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).
071-F1 (SUM) Assault Climber Course
The course is 14 days of continuous training, with an average of 14 hours of training every day. To train selected soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during summer months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 Assault Climber tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).
071-F1 (WIN) Assault Climber Course
The course is 14 days of continuous training, with an average of 14 hours of training every day. To train selected soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during winter months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 Assault Climber tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).
The Army Mountain Warfare School also conducts Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) for unit/mission specific training. This training covers the broad range of summer and winter basic and advanced military mountaineering and is tailored to the requesting unit's needs. Cost of the MTT/UTP is at the requesting unit' expense and can be at our location, the unit's location or another site suitable for the training. Details on length of the MTT and the subjects covered can be coordinated via phone or through the email link listed in the Point of Contact section.
Cadre Accomplishments
Austrian Mountain School
Norwegian Winter Warfare School
Swiss Mountain School
Swiss Army Advanced Avalanche Course
Rigging for Rescue Course
Canadian Law Enforcement Tactical Rope Rescue Course
Ranger, Sapper, Sniper, Airborne, Air Assault, and Combatives courses
Operators Emergency Medical School, Wilderness Advanced Life Support, Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
Ecuadorian Mountain School
Australian Mountain School
USMC Mountain Leader Course
USMC Instructor Qualification Course
American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Rock Certification
AMGA Guide training courses in the Rock, Alpine, and Ski disciplines
American Avalanche Institute Level 3 Mountain Guide
Mt. Everest (highest peak in world) (American record in winter)
Chogolisa, Pakistan
Personal summits of Mt. McKinley (highest peak in North America), Aconcagua (highest peak in South America), and several peaks over 18,000ft in Peru and Ecuador
Personal multi-day technical ascents of ice, alpine, and big wall rock routes
Rock and alpine mountaineering experience all over the United States, as well as Argentina, Scotland, Belgium, Kyrgyzstan, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Nepal, and the Canadian Rockies
Former cadre expeditions to Mt. McKinley, Mt. Chogolisa (Pakistan), Mt. Sanford, AK (Joint US & Canadian Expedition), Mt. Logan (Yukon Territory), and Mt. Mana, India (Joint Indo-US Expedition)
Several Expert Alpine and Nordic skiers
Permanent members of the International Association of Military Mountain Schools (IAMMS)
Mobile training teams sent throughout Central Asia
Mobile training team to Afghanistan in support of OEF
Over 20 years of training support for the Army's only Mountain Infantry Battalion
Polar Ice Cap, Greenland
ECO Challenge 2000
Armed Forces ECO Challenge
CWOC - Cold Weather Orientation Course
Scope. This course familiarizes commanders and staff officers with the knowledge/skills required in successfully planning and conducting operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, effects of the winter environment on operations, and planning considerations unique to the winter battlefield and cold regions. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course of instruction.
CWLC - Cold Weather Leaders Course
Scope. This course trains squad and platoon level leaders in the knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and materiel, use of basic cold weather clothing and equipment, winter field craft, snowshoe/ski techniques, and winter/cold regions navigation and route planning. Attendees will receive comprehensive instruction/training materials enabling them to implement basic, cold-weather and ski-training programs within their units. Cold weather risk-management procedures are stressed throughout the course.
BMC - Basic Mountaineering Course
Scope. To train selected soldiers in the fundamental knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in typical, mountainous terrain found throughout the world. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 mountaineering tasks described in FM 3-97.61, Appendix A.
Scope. To train selected soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during summer months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 mountaineering tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations (1999 Revision) and FM 3-97.61, Military mountaineering. The course is intended for units or individuals that will conduct operations in mountainous terrain and must operate independently of major units or organizations or will lead larger organizations over technically hazardous terrain.
ALIT - Arctic Light Individual Training
a. Course Purpose. To train all Soldiers, regardless of job function, in the skills required to successfully train and operate in a cold, snow-covered environment. Attendees will gain confidence in their cold weather clothing and equipment and their ability to care for themselves in the cold weather environment.
b. Course Scope. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, recognition, treatment and prevention of cold weather injuries, use of basic cold weather clothing and equipment, winter field-craft, use of cold weather shelters, use of Army approved heaters, and over snow movement techniques. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course of instruction.