1 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in the Fort McCoy Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 19-01 start their skiing orientation and familiarization Dec. 14, 2018, at Whitetail Ridge Ski Area at Fort McCoy, Wis. In addition to skiing, CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in the Fort McCoy Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 19-01 start their skiing orientation and familiarization Dec. 14, 2018, at Whitetail Ridge Ski Area at Fort McCoy, Wis. In addition to skiing, CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in the Fort McCoy Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 19-01 start their skiing orientation and familiarization Dec. 14, 2018, at Whitetail Ridge Ski Area at Fort McCoy, Wis. In addition to skiing, CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in the Fort McCoy Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 19-01 start their skiing orientation and familiarization Dec. 14, 2018, at Whitetail Ridge Ski Area at Fort McCoy, Wis. In addition to skiing, CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in the Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 19-01 complete a ruck march in snowshoes during course training Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training and skiing as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in the Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 19-01 complete a ruck march in snowshoes during course training Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training and skiing as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier climbs out of a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake after jumping in the water as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL8 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL9 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier prepares to climb out of a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake after jumping in the water as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL10 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL11 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL12 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL13 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL14 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL15 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL16 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL17 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL18 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier climbs out of a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake after jumping in the water as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL19 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Soldier climbs out of a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake after jumping in the water as part of cold-water immersion training for Class 19-01 of the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldier was one of 38 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL20 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Cold-Weather Operations Course students complete a march in snowshoes during course training Dec. 10, 2018, for Class 19-01 at Fort McCoy, Wis. The course is 14 days long and includes training in a wide range of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training, using the ahkio sleds, setting up the Arctic 10-person cold-weather tent, and more. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, and camouflage and concealment. (U.S. Army Photo by Joe Ernst, Cold-Weather Operations Course, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Courtesy)VIEW ORIGINAL21 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Instructor Joe Ernst with the Cold-Weather Operations Course discsusses how to prevent cold-weather injuries during the first day of training Dec. 3, 2018, for Class 19-01 in the course at Fort McCoy, Wis. The course is 14 days long and, in addition to classroom training, includes training in a wide range of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training, using the ahkio sleds, setting up the Arctic 10-person cold-weather tent, and more. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, and camouflage and concealment. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL22 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Instructor Joe Ernst with the Cold-Weather Operations Course discsusses how to prevent cold-weather injuries during the first day of training Dec. 3, 2018, for Class 19-01 in the course at Fort McCoy, Wis. The course is 14 days long and, in addition to classroom training, includes training in a wide range of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training, using the ahkio sleds, setting up the Arctic 10-person cold-weather tent, and more. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, and camouflage and concealment. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Scott Sturkol)VIEW ORIGINAL23 / 23Show Caption +Hide Caption –Students in Cold-Weather Operations Course 19-01 practice snowshoeing at a training area Dec. 6, 2018, on the Fort McCoy, Wis., cantonment area. The class has 38 students. The course is 14 days long and, in addition to classroom training, includes training in a wide range of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training, using the ahkio sleds, setting up the Arctic 10-person cold-weather tent, and more. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, and camouflage and concealment. (U.S. Army Photo by Joe Ernst, Cold-Weather Operations Course, Fort McCoy, Wis.) (Photo Credit: Courtesy)VIEW ORIGINAL
Just days before the first class for Fort McCoy's Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) started Dec. 3 for the 2018-19 winter season, about eight inches of snow fell at the installation, helping kick off the training season.
"Getting the snow was a bonus," said Bill Hamilton, lead Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) instructor who works for contractor Veterans Range Solutions, which supports the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, or DPTMS. "Having the weather cooperate with the training we had planned really helped us."
CWOC Class 19-01 had 39 students from across the country as well as from the Fort McCoy Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy. They completed 14 days of training that included a wide range of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training, how to use ahkio sleds, setting up the Arctic 10-person cold-weather tent, and more.
Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, proper wear of cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and more, Hamilton said.
The 2018-19 CWOC training season came with some changes, including the addition of two more days of training, a new marching route was established with new bivouac sites, and the course now incorporates the use of the Home Station Instrumentation Training System (HITS).
HITS is a training aids, devices, simulators, and simulations system that supports after-action review (AAR) capabilities for units at the battalion and below level, said Fort McCoy Training Support Officer Rob Weisbrod with DPTMS. HITS provides automated tools and instrumentation for unit leaders and designated observer-controller/trainers to collect, analyze, and present training-performance feedback to their unit in a multimedia AAR and take-home package.
"Using HITS helps us with our training and gives our students another tool to build their skills while at the same time helping us to improve course operations," said CWOC instructor Joe Ernst.
Students in the first class said they gained some valuable experience.
"As a 12B combat engineer, our job is mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability," said student Sgt. 1st Class James Teague with the Fort McCoy NCO Academy. "This course significantly added to the mobility and survivability aspects of my (military occupational specialty) in a cold-weather environment. I highly recommend more engineer leaders take this course in order to train these tenets."
Student Sgt. Jose Alvarez, fire team leader with Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry of Rice Lake, Wis., said infantrymen like him have to be able to conduct operations in all types of environments and climates. The CWOC helped build operational skills.
"This course helped me in learning how to properly use the Army Extreme Cold-Weather Clothing System (ECWCS)," Alvarez said. "That's something I've never been taught. ... (Other) parts of the course for me that were helpful were learning basic survival techniques and building thermal shelters using various materials that were available."
Army ROTC Cadet Michael Boster with the University of Alabama said he was grateful to get more field experience.
"It was an exercise in mental toughness as well as an exposure to Soldiers and officers of all backgrounds," Boster said. "I now know how to handle the cold, survive in it, and work with different types of people."
Fort McCoy's CWOC is modeled after the Cold-Weather Leader Course, which is taught by the Army Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC) at Black Rapids, Alaska, Hamilton said.
"In our training, we complete training scenarios all over the post," Hamilton said. "Our students use ahkio sleds to haul all of their equipment, and they will traverse through nearly 35 miles of terrain starting on North Post and ending at Big Sandy Lake on South Post. Our program of instruction is nearly identical to that at NWTC with the exception that we don't teach certain skills, such as mountaineering."
On the last two days of the course, students completed extensive skiing training on a new type of ski at Whitetail Ridge Ski Area. Many said they enjoyed learning skiing basics.
"Skiing and snowshoeing were great blocks of instruction," said student Staff Sgt, Alexander Bess with the Fort McCoy NCO Academy.
Hamilton said they received course feedback from students and will also get feedback from remaining classes. He said feedback is a key factor for course improvement. "We always want to make the training even better," Hamilton said.
Five more CWOC classes will be taught through the end of March 2019.
Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services each year since 1984.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching "ftmccoy," and on Twitter by searching "usagmccoy.
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