ETA 15 JAN 2022:  Photos are up on page 13. Thanks all for attending, and I hope to see you next time!

ETA 16 DEC 2021:

The training site has sufficient snow, ranging from 18" to 3 or more feet. Looking forward to the event tomorrow!




How does cold affect you? How does it affect efficiency when planning operations for a group? How do you thrive and turn extreme cold austere conditions to your advantage?

The American Pioneer Corps will be conducting an Introduction to Winter/Cold Weather Operations course in western Montana 17-19 December. The course will include accommodations and ammunition for the live fire portion. There are going to be a relatively limited number of seats, but minimal cost involved for participants.

From your instructor, ARFCOMs Rosta97:

I will be instructing the course. Up until a few months ago I was an instructor at the United States Army Northern Warfare Training Center in Black Rapids, Alaska. I instructed Cold Weather Orientation Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, Cold Weather Instructor Qualification Course as well as Basic Military Mountaineering. I am also Avalanche level 1 certified from the Alaska Avalanche School.

I have had the opportunity to test a lot of experimental cold weather equipment for the military as well as provide feedback on the Army’s Arctic Strategy.


I look forward to the course as I love cold weather and teaching people about it.

If anyone has any question about the course or anything they’d like to be covered just let me know.

Would you like to know more?

Register here.




Schedule

Friday

1400-1430 Introductions
1430-1530 Analyze terrain in cold regions
1530-1630 Analyze weather in cold and mountainous regions
1630-1730 prevent cold weather injuries
1730-1830 chow
1830-1900 protect yourself in extreme cold

Saturday

0700-0730 prevent altitude illness
0730-0830 chow
0830-0930 plan a small unit movement in snow covered terrain
0930-1130 move over snow on snowshoes
1130-1230 chow
1230-1330 prevent environmental injuries
1330-1500 evacuate a hypothermic casualty
1500-1530 employ individual camouflage in a snow covered environment
1530-1600 construct fighting positions in a snow covered environment
1600-1700 engage targets in a snow covered environment
1700-1800 chow
1800-1930 construct improvised shelters
1930-2030 case study(Russo Finnish war)
2100-0600 occupy improvised shelters

Sunday

0600-0700 reset improvised shelter site
0700-0800 cold weather injuries check and chow
0800-0830 pack a rucksack
0830-0930 maintain vehicles and weapons in a cold region
0930-1230 biathlon
1230-1330 chow
1330-1430 occupy a patrol base in cold regions
1430-1530 site reset
1530-1630 aar


Gear List

-Sleeping bag with bivy cover rated to at least 0 degrees

-Silk moisture wicking top and bottom(ecwcs level 1 or equivalent)

-Insulating “long John” style top and bottom(ecwcs level 2 or equivalent)

-Breathable water resistant outer shell top and bottom(ecwcs level 5 or equivalent )

-Heavy outer shell jacket(ecwcs level 7 or equivalent)

-Fleece style cap that covers ears

-Balaclava

-2 pairs lightweight gloves(outdoor research sensor for example)

-1 pair heavy gloves(should be able to fit hands in with lightweight gloves on)

-1 pair mittens or 3 finger gloves(outdoor research high camp for example)

-3 pairs wool socks

-Boots: should be warm and waterproof. I am a big believer of vapor barrier boots(bunny boots). If just wearing insulated boots keep in mind when they get wet they are very hard to dry. Consider vapor barrier socks if going that route. Vapor barrier boots will be available for those who do not possess them and notify us they require them and their size NLT 30 days prior to the course.

-Insulated sleeping pad

-Poncho or tarp

-Rucksack

-100ft 550 cord

-Pocket knife

-Lighter

-Headlamp with extra batteries

-Water source(keep in mind camelback hoses and narrow mouth canteens freeze easily. Recommend wide mouth nalgenes or similar with insulated cover.)

-Personal hygiene items

-Snowshoes with ski poles (Snowshoes and poles will be available if you do not possess these items)

-Shovel (Avalanche shovel is highly recommended, e-tool at a minimum)

-Centerfire rifle 7.62 NATO or below in caliber, bolt action, semi auto, or select fire.
  -If the rifle utilizes stripper clips, sufficient clips for at least 24 rounds are required.
  -If the rifle utilizes detachable magazines, no less than three magazines AND the ability to have at least 24 rounds loaded in magazines is required.
  -Rifles require a sling, cleaning kit, eye/ear pro, and a barrel cap to keep snow out.

-30 rounds of rifle ammunition.  If utilizing a 5.56 NATO rifle, ammunition can be provided on request for students registered by 17 NOV 2021.  Students registering after 17 NOV 2021 may receive 5.56 NATO ammunition on a first come, first serve basis.

-15' sling rope

Optional:
Neck gaiter
Over white top and bottom
Poncho liner “woobie”
Heavy trousers(ecwcs level 7 or equivalent)
Thick insulation layer (ecwcs level 3 or smokers jacket or equivalent)
Waterproof top and bottom(ecwcs level 6 or equivalent)
Jetboil
Small cook set



EDITED 10 NOV 2021 to add a 15' sling rope to the mandatory gear list, and to say happy birthday Marines.

Fresh lefse, primarily.

I would love to find an APC group in Western WA...... (not knowledgeable enough to start one, I hike and shoot recreationally but my skills are limited)