Army Mountain Warfare School (United States)

Infobox Military Structure
name= Army Mountain Warfare School, AMWS
location= Jericho, Vermont


caption= AMWS Insignia
type= Military base
built=
materials=
used= - present
controlled by= Vermont Army National Guard
garrison=
commanders=
battles=

The Army Mountain Warfare School (AWMS) is an Army National Guard installation located in Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vermont. The school exists to train soldiers in the specialized skills required for operating in mountainous terrain, under all climatic conditions, day and night.

Purpose

*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.

Mission

*To provide SQI "E" Training for ARNG, USAR & AC.
*To develop and conduct training for the Department of the Army in basic and advanced mountain warfare and cold weather skills and tactics to be employed by combat units during all climatic conditions.
*To train supported units in mountain warfare and cold weather skills; to provide technical assistance and advice to supported units in the conduct of mountain operations.
*To train, equip, and maintain a high angle mountain search and rescue team.

Historical Overview

*Established in 1983 as a result of “Project Green Mountain”, the United States Army’s Mountain Warfare School (AMWS) currently consists of four progressive courses of instruction (Basic Summer,Basic Winter, Assault Climber Summer, and Assault Climber Winter). The design of each level is to prepare warriors to operate in a mountainous and cold weather environment. The Army Mountain Warfare School is the only TRADOC-approved Schoolhouse authorized to provide the Skill Qualification Identifier (SQI) “E”, Military Mountaineer, to the Army.

*The Army Mountain Warfare School was established in April 1983 to train the only mountain unit in the Force Structure, the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (MTN). The curriculum design broadens the warriors knowledge and hence the unit’s capabilities. The curriculum is designed to enable the warrior to operate in a mountainous and cold weather environment in both the summer and winter and to enable him to assist his command in planning for operations in that terrain and environment. The prime educational technique employed throughout most of the course is the small group participatory learning process.

*The Army Mountain Warfare School is the Executive Agent for Military Mountaineering for its proponent, the United States Army Infantry School. The School is responsible for the content of Field Manual 3-97.71, Military Mountaineering. The School is the only non-European Permanent Member of the International Association of Military Mountain Schools (IAMMS).

*The Army Mountain Warfare School curriculum is broken down into four two-week courses with three general type of mountain-specific skills taught in each; individual, small unit and medical. The Basic Military Mountaineer Courses must be completed before the Assault Climber Courses. The training focus is on seeding the Force Structure with warriors capable of assisting their unit to move through and sustain themselves in the harsh mountain environment.

Courses

(After completion of both Basic Military Mountaineer, Summer and Winter courses, soldiers are awarded the SQI "E").

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-SQIE (WIN) Basic Military Mountaineer Winter Course

*The course is 14 days of continuous training with an average of 12 hours of training every day. During the course, the student acquires the skills and knowledge required to operate in mountainous terrain. The student’s skills, physical and mental endurance, stamina, and confidence are continuously challenged by frigid temperatures, deep snow and mountainous terrain. High standards are required and maintained in the most adverse mission profile. The emphasis is on practical, realistic and strenuous training.

*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).

Mobile Training Teams

*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. [ [https://www.infantry.army.mil/AMWS/mountain/content/AMWS%20Student%20Guide%2007.pdf Student Guide] ] [ [https://hawkeye.ngcsu.edu/~EPORT7273/Army%20Mountain%20Warfare%20School.htm#mission/ AMWS's official website] ] [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-97-61/index.html FM 3-97.61, Military Mountaineering] ] [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-97-6/index.html FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations] ] [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/31-70/index.html FM 31-70, Cold Weather Manual] ]

ee also

*List of United States Army National Guard
*Mountain Warfare Training Center United States Marine Corps
*Northern Warfare Training Center United States

References