Mountain Warfare Small Units Leader Course

Code: LOP-LO-35586

Aim:

To provide officers and NCOs at the platoon/ company level with in-depth knowledge on conducting Mountain Warfare activities, to foster the development of their leadership and management skills, and to enhance their understanding of the mountainous terrain and climate when operating in this environment.

Structure of the course:

The two-week course is carried out in a combination of teaching methods like classroom lectures, team work and going in the field, to build capabilities from easy to difficult.

• The first week focuses on building the students’ knowledge of the specifics of the mountainous environment, its influence on combat functions, and the best ways to mitigate negative effects and seize opportunities. Students will be introduced to the importance of leadership skills in critical situations, of SMEs in the preparation and execution of training and military operations, and of proper mountaineering/winter equipment for movement in difficult terrain;
• In the second week, the course participants will be faced with a tactical situation and develop the ability to overcome the challenges of fighting in areas where technological supremacy can be negated by terrain or climate, and combat power can be achieved only through efficient planning and mountain skills. The students will train troop leading procedures, taking into consideration the specifics of mountainous terrain and its influence on combat power. They will conduct map & terrain analysis, reconnaissance in the area of operations and situation assessments of the mountain terrain.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyse how the mountain environment affects military actions in a given area of operations, considering:

  • own troops’ education and training in Mountain Warfare;
  • the difficulty of the mountain terrain & climate conditions;
  • own units’ equipment and capabilities.

• Conduct activities with sub-level units in difficult mountainous terrain, with the next capabilities:

  • understand activity planning particularities and required equipment;
  • move personnel and equipment across all types of obstacles and danger areas;
  • organize casualty rescue from difficult mountainous terrain.

• Plan activities up to company level, in difficult mountainous environment, with the capability to:

  • identify constrains and opportunities that the mountainous environment has on conducting operations;
  • understand special characteristics and fundamentals of military operations in mountainous environment.

Security Classification:

NATO UNCLASSIFIED releasable to PFP.

Target Audience:

Platoon/ company leaders/ trainers and specialist operators.

Rank Level:

OR 5-9, OF 1-2 and other selected personnel, according to requirements.

Language Proficiency:

Recommended English SLP 3232, minimum 2222 – NATO STANAG 6001.

Prerequisites:

• Skills: Tactical Planning Skills for PLT/COY(TLP)
• Online courses: e-Learning courses available on NATO JADL and NATO MW COE e-Learning platforms – will be communicated to attendees after confirmation.

Event fee:

None

Project Officer:

MAJ Jakub ZDUNSKI (POL)
Staff Officer, Education & Training Branch