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U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Garza and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Trina McLoud familiarise themselves with their skis during the Alpine Leaders Course at the Fort Drum Light Fighter School, Sept. 26, 2023. All students were shown and familiarised themselves with skis, snowshoes, tents, and furnaces. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall/10 MDSB Public affairs office)
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Leaders of the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade drag a sled of supplies to their patrol base during the Alpine Leaders Course at the Fort Drum training area, Sept. 28, 2023. The Alpine Leaders Course was designed to show leaders the different ways to maneuver through difficult terrain. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall/10 MDSB Public Affairs office)
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cameron Daniels assists U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeycia Arellano with tying knots prior to rappelling down a rock face. This was the first instance where students put their knot tying practice to use. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall/10 MDSB Public affairs office)
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U.S. Army Capt. Natalie Grainger rappels down a rock face during Alpine Leaders course at Fort Drum, New York, Sept. 27, 2023. The students learned different rope techniques during the week and used them all throughout training. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall/10 MDSB Public Affairs Office)
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kayden Isom, an instructor for the Alpine Leader Course goes over the movement plan with the students at the Fort drum training area, Sept. 28, 2023. Isom planned the route and walked it multiple times to ensure that the route was challenging but possible. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall/10 MDSB Public Affairs Office)
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FORT DRUM, N.Y. – In a rapidly deploying environment the Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division must remain vigilant and ready. As the weather cools an improved skill set is necessary for both officers and noncommissioned officers to lead Soldiers in all conditions and environments.
The Fort Drum Alpine Leader Course is the newest way for leaders to ensure a successful mission. gaining the ability to conquer Various obstacles under a multitude of conditions with new field skills and new equipment.
The five-day training began in a classroom setting where students learned basic mountaineering knots, oversnow mobility and equipment familiarization, which would be used during the latter three days in a field environment.
“The Alpine Leaders course is different in that it's specific to the location of the 10th Mountain Division.” Said Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Garza, one of the students attending the course and an NCO assigned to the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade. “It's real world applicable knowledge that's being taught here.”
The field environment started with individual mountain mobility skills. All students put their recently gained knowledge of knot tying to the test by rappelling down a 30 foot cliff face and Prusik ascending back up. Using some of the same ropes students then used them to cross simulated horizontal terrain.
The final two days consisted of a miniature field exercise where all skills learned were put to use. The exercise started with a two and a half mile movement through difficult terrain features such as hills, ridges and draws. Upon completion of the march students set up their sleep areas before executing a simulated resupply mission.
“We’re training these leaders so that when they get back to their unit they can show their soldiers all of these materials and teachings.” Said Staff Sgt. Kayden Isom, the head instructor of the Alpine Leader Course. “The course has been designed for leaders to train their soldiers with the materials we give them.”
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