Summer Course: Ruck 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks prior to your course date. Use a distance of 4-6 miles, preferably on uneven and hilly terrain. Carry a rubber duck or 8-10lb sledge hammer if able. Use a 45-50 lbs Ruck. Work to be able to maintain a 15 min/mile pace for 4 miles WALKING. Ensure you prepare your feet and come with a solid pair of broken in boots. DO NOT show up with boots that are not broken in.
Winter Course: If you have a pair of Plastic/Leather Mountaineering boots, we highly suggest you get comfortable walking in them and bring those with you to the course. We suggest Rucking 1-2 times per week for 4 weeks using distance of 2-4 miles in these boots prior to your course date. If you do not have mountaineering boots, then do your best to prepare your feet. Ruck with what you have 2-3 x per week 4 - 6 miles. Carry Rubber Duck or 8-10 lb sledgehammer if able. Use a 55-60 lbs Ruck. Ruck on uneven and hilly terrain if possible. Walk at a steady, brisk pace. DO NOT RUN.
Learn how to tie all of the knots we teach in our course. You can find our Knot Guide listed under Reference Manuals on the AMWS website. We have also developed step-by-step visual guides for each knot on YouTube. Information on our YouTube classes can be found at the end of the Knot Guide. Additionally, you need to be physically fit. Ruckmarching over uneven terrain, preferably uphill, will help.
Log onto the ATTRS home page, select course catalogue, type in the year, the school code for the AMWS is 959, then choose "VT" for state. Click "search" then select the AMWS course you want to attend, the packing list will be there.
You need copies of your orders or DA Form 1610 and your complete flight itinerary when you in-process with the Operations Section. Active Duty personnel need a completed and signed Pre execution checklist (TRADOC form 350-18-2-R-E Apr 18) in addition to flight information and orders or a DA Form 1610.
Report time is between 1230-1730. If your flight gets delayed you need to call AMWS Operations and let them know. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205/802-899-7202.
For Soldiers travelling long distances, flying in a day early is recommended. Billeting is not available until the report date so you will need to stay in a hotel if you arrive early. A Soldier having late or canceled flights need to call AMWS Operations to keep updated with changing flight plans. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205/802-899-7202.
The first pick up is at 1230 and runs hourly until about 1630 on our report day. You should give AMWS Operations a call if you are going to arrive after that so we can arrange for a special pick up. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205/7202.
Issued or authorized boots. In the winter you will only be wearing these when you are in heated areas. We will supply you with mountaineering boots for all of the other training.
We will supply you with mountaineering boots to keep your feet warm and allow you to wear crampons. Your normal issued or authorized boots will be fine for our course because you will only be wearing them in heated areas.
Yes. We prefer you bring your issued cold weather clothing/gear. However you can bring civilian gloves, socks and other cold weather clothing. It will need to be of the appropriate materials (not cotton), subdued, and approved by our cadre. Our cadre will inspect your civilian gear upon arrival.
You become Skill Qualification Identifier – Echo (SQI-E) "Military Mountaineer" qualified by graduating from either the summer or winter BMMC. (Enlisted personnel only)
Yes, you will become Echo qualified by graduating from a summer or winter BMMC. Your unit will need to submit the orders for you to be formally awarded the SQI-E. You are still highly encouraged to attend both the summer and winter courses, however, as some blocks of instruction differ due to environmental conditions.
Being SQI-E qualified as a Military Mountaineer means that you have graduated from the BMMC and are capable of performing Level 1 (Basic Mountaineer) doctrinal tasks as a member of your unit. A basic mountaineer possesses basic tactical and technical skills, trains Soldiers and leaders in basic mountain skills and assists in planning mountain operations. See Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6 “Mountain Operations” for additional information on Level 1 (Basic Mountaineer) doctrinal capabilities.
You must be able to tie all of the knots that we teach at the school. You will be tested on them before you are actually enrolled in the course. If you fail the test you are given a re-test. You will be sent home if you fail the re-test. You can find our Knot Guide listed under Reference Manuals on the AMWS website. We have also developed step-by-step visual guides for each knot on YouTube. Information on our YouTube classes can be found at the end of the Knot Guide.
Being an assault climber means that you have graduated from the AMMC and are capable of performing Level 2 (Assault Climber) tasks as a member of your unit. An assault climber possesses advanced technical skills; enables unit mobility through very difficult terrain, serves as an advisor to commanders and plans mountain sustainment training for their unit. See Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6 “Mountain Operations” for additional information on Level 2 (Assault Climber) doctrinal capabilities.
Your unit needs to load you into ATRRS. The AMWS school code is 959. Specific course names are:
071-SQIE: Basic Military Mountaineer Course
071-F1 (SUM): Advanced Military Mountaineer Course – AMMC Summer
071-F1 (WIN): Advanced Military Mountaineer Course – AMMC Winter
071-9E-F53/920-F44: Rough Terrain Evacuation Course – RTEC
071-9E-F54/920-F45: Mountain Planners Course – MPC
071-9E-F55/920-F46: Mountain Rifleman Course - MRC
Yes, depending on how full our course is. Call or e-mail AMWS Operations and tell them your situation. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205/802-899-7202 or NGVT-AMWS-INFO@vt.ngb.army.mil.
Yes. We are the Army’s Mountain Warfare School. Our students are a mix of Active Duty, USAR and National Guard, including members of other service branches.
Yes. We expect you to already be proficient in basic land navigation when you arrive at AMWS. We will teach you additional navigation techniques for use in mountainous terrain.
Yes, depending on our current availability. We conduct numerous MTTs each year. Contact AMWS Operations for more details. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205/7202 or - NGVT-AMWS-INFO@vt.ngb.army.mil.
No we do not have a PX on post and AMWS is located in a rural part of Vermont. Students are confined to post during the course. You need to bring all of the items you are going to need for the course with you.
