The AMWS has zero involvement in the submission of schools’ packets through your chain of command and does not action them or see them. All AMWS courses are reserved through ATTRS, so it is up to your chain of commands’ SoP/Business Rules for submitting schools' packets and what documentation is required. Do not contact us and ask what is needed for a schools’ packet.
The AMWS does not action student enrollment at the schoolhouse level. Your unit needs to load you into ATRRS for our courses. All questions regarding course enrollment need to be directed up your chain of command to your respective Schools NCO.
All questions regarding course enrollment and course availability need to be directed up your chain of command to your respective Schools NCO. Your Schools NCO can look at your status and course availability in ATRRS.
Yes, the AMWS Walk-On policy is located on the AMWS website. In short, students must arrive on in-processing day with orders in-hand for the duration of the course and be loaded in ATRRS in a “wait” status. Acceptance of walk-ons are subject to Commander approval, course resources and operational requirements.
USAF personnel must also be enrolled into our courses through the Army’ ATRRS process. Airmen must submit their course requests through their chain of command to the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The USAF receives course allocations in ATRRS each fiscal year and the AETC can provide specific guidance on which courses have USAF allocations; otherwise, USAF personnel can attempt a course walk-on IAW the policy that is on the AMWS website.
If a class does not fill to its maximum size, ATRRS will automatically roll waits into reservations to fill the class 45 days prior to the report date. For example, if 34 out of 64 slots have been reserved, but 30 service members are on a wait status, at 45 days prior to class start date, these 30 waits are “rolled over” into reservations and are guaranteed a slot. Waits are rolled oldest to newest, so the first wait loaded into ATRRS would roll into the first available slot.
AMMC students will conduct a knot test on Day 1 of the course. Test failures will be given retraining and a re-test. Students who fail the re-rest will be dropped from the 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. AMMC students are also expected to be proficient at the rope systems that were taught during the BMMC.
Yes. We expect students to already be proficient in basic land navigation when they arrive at AMWS. In the BMMC, land navigation is a tested event. The AMWS Cadre will provide refresher training on basic land navigation techniques but will focus on teaching additional navigation techniques for use in mountainous terrain. Land navigation is also used in MPC, MRC and RTEC.
The primary physical requirements during our courses consist of rucking to and from the training areas each day with a 50lbs ruck. The routes are on uneven terrain and have significant elevation gain. We recommend that you ruck 2-3 times per week for at least 4-6 weeks prior to your course date. Start with shorter durations and lighter rucks and slowly progress up to 2-hour movements on uneven and hilly terrain with a 50lbs ruck. We do not recommend ruck-running; at no point during the course should you be running with your rucksack. Ensure you prepare your feet and come with broken-in boots. DO NOT show up with new boots that are not broken in. For winter courses, we recommend using plastic/leather mountaineering boots for some of your training sessions, if able.
The packing list can be found in the course welcome letters which are sent out approximately 30-days prior to the course start date. Generic welcome letters are also posted on the AMWS website. The packing list and reporting instructions can also be found on the AMWS ATTRS home page. Search school code "959" in the ATRRS course catalogue to find a listing of our courses with the associated instructions.
Yes, however, it is not necessary. The AMWS issues all requisite mountaineering equipment. Any student equipment must be inspected and approved by Cadre prior to use.
Students are authorized to bring unit issued and/or commercially purchased boots if authorized by their unit. Civilian backpacking, light mountaineering, or backcountry hunting boots are authorized for FIELD TRAINING (APR-OCT). The boots must be subdued, over the ankle (6 inches or taller), rigid, with a deep lug sole. Waterproof lining and/or treatment is recommended. All commercially procured boots are subject to Cadre approval; therefore, all students must also bring standard issued footwear as well. During winter courses, the students are issued plastic mountaineering boots for field use and must also have regular/hot weather boots for indoor use.
Yes, however, it is not necessary. The Army issued equipment on the packing list and AMWS issued items are sufficient to conduct all operations in our courses. Students are authorized to use commercially procured gloves, socks, undergarments and other cold weather clothing items if approved by their Cadre. It will need to be of the appropriate materials (not cotton), subdued, and appropriate for the weather conditions.
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 the items you are going to need for the duration of the course.
AMMC students will conduct a knot test on Day 1 of the course. Test failures will be given retraining and a re-test. Students who fail the re-rest will be dropped from the 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. AMMC students are also expected to be proficient at the rope systems that were taught during the BMMC.
Report time is between 1200-1730hrs. The AMWS shuttle at the Burlington Airport (BTV) operates from 1200-1700hrs. If your flight gets delayed and your arrival time is after 1700hrs, you need to call AMWS Operations and provide an updated arrival time and receive additional reporting instructions. Failure to contact the school could result in the forfeiture of your seat. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205.
Soldiers cannot report early for our courses. For Soldiers travelling from OCONUS, flying in a day early is recommended. Billeting is not available until the report date so you will need to seek hotel accommodations prior to in-processing.
The AMWS airport shuttles does rotations from the Burlington Airport (BTV) to the AMWS from 1200-1700hrs on about an hourly schedule. Soldiers need to contact AMWS Operations if arriving after 1700hrs. AMWS Operations can be reached at 802-899-7205.
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.
Yes, you will become Echo qualified by graduating from a Summer or Winter BMMC. Your unit will need to process the order in IPPS-A to be formally awarded the SQI-E.
Yes, depending on our availability and operational requirements, the AMWS can conduct MTTs at off-site locations or an additional course on-site. MTTs can consist of our standard courses, or a custom training plan based on the unit’s operational requirements. Generally, MTTs are only approved for units with an operational requirement and are responsible for providing all the requisite funding and resources to conduct the training. For further information, contact AMWS Operations for a training request form at: ng.vt.vtarng.list.amws-info22@army.mil
