Jericho, Vt. – The Vermont National Guard will break ground on a new $27 million facility for the Army Mountain Warfare School on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho.
The socially-distanced ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
“In my many conversations with the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and the Director of the Army National Guard, it was clear to me that replacing the facilities of the Army Mountain Warfare School allowed the Army to greatly expand and improve its capabilities,” said Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. “As Appropriations Vice Chairman I was glad to be in a position to be able to ensure that it was funded, when the Army told me that despite the need it had not been included in the budget submission. I’m proud of the opportunity ahead of us for Vermonters to expand our ability to teach Soldiers and other members of our Armed Services how to not only survive, but to master and make the most of difficult terrain and cold climates.”
The 82,668 square foot facility will include educational space, billeting for 174 personnel, and a dining facility. The new schoolhouse will also offer students a unique four-story indoor climbing wall and will use a geothermal ground source system to provide heating and cooling. Space for the installation of photovoltaic panels will also be incorporated. Project completion is expected near April 2022.
“The Army Mountain Warfare School cadre are among the best and brightest in the field; this school is where students learn to become competent mountaineering professionals,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont adjutant general. “This new facility is a testament to those Soldiers, and the thousands of graduates and cadre that have come through the school for nearly four decades.”
The Vermont National Guard has operated the only Army Mountain Warfare School in the country since 1983. They now instruct courses in basic, advanced, and specialty mountain warfare. They also provide additional mission specific training to United States and foreign military forces in a variety of countries.
“This new facility ensures the continuation of excellence in mountain warfare operations, and the lasting value this school brings to Vermont and the U.S. Army. Sincere thanks to Senator Leahy for his efforts in making this a reality,” said Knight.
Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard Public Affairs
Awesome school.
Absolutely. Recommend it to all my soldiers.
This is great, Mountain School in the winter is one of the best courses in the Army
Serious question; why is the mountain warfare school in Vermont? I understand it’s run by ARNG. Why not co-locate with Marine mountain warfare or go to Ft. Carson?
Maybe the army prefers the slopes better in VT than CA or CO?
“What kinda of training soldier?…..Aaaaarrrrmmeeeee Traaining SIR!”
I have three theories:
1. Army National Guard has one Mountain IBCT with the headquarters co-located in Jericho. (86th IBCT). 3-172 IN is also headquartered at CEATS.
2. All 86th IBCT (MTN) soldiers are supposed to go through the school. Most of the 86th is located in New England. The cost (in both money and time) of sending soldiers to CO is much more expensive then a drive from around New England. This would impact unit readiness for the BDE and keeping soldiers away from home longer, especially across the country, would hurt retention.
3. 10th MTN is 3-4 hours drive versus a flight to CO. Costs.
Often wondered that myself – the mountains in Vermont aren’t particularly high or rugged are they?
You know how the Army just LOVES to put its bases in the magical mini-Bermuda Triagnles of the world with ungodly awe full weather extremes… well Jericho, VT gets some of the WORST weather in the world.
Just a few miles from the school house Mount Washington, was the former (Now #2) world record holder for the fastest ever recorded ground wind speed at 261mph. The slopes of Vermont offer an incredibly array of variability in weather. This past April I attended a Mountain Medicine course at their school (excellent BTW) and I personally started the day in 40 degree drizzly rain and 1 hour later had 35 degree horizontal sheets of rain with 20mph winds and then in the afternoon 20 degree blizzard Putting over 12in on ground in a few hours, and then crystal clear skies that night.
Lots of vertical and near vertical terrain abound along with lots of exposed rock for both summer and winter mountain course. Extremely rugged and broken terrain with very steep ravines everywhere and dense old growth forests with LOTS of undergrowth and fallen trees to make cross country movement a GREEN HELL.
Terrible weather, extremely steep and broken terrain and dense brush to complete the HAT TRICK from hell.
Believe me, Uncle Sam picked a damn fine place for a Mountain Warfare School
To top it all off Jericho is only 30min from some excellent local ski lodges (Stowe and Smugglers Notch) where cadre can keep their skills sharp, so that ain’t bad either.
Plus, where else will you get instructors that run their own Maple Syrup operations? Not in CA or CO!
AND no lengthy period of high altitude acclimatization as required in going from the lowlands where most Army posts are located, to the high altitudes of Colorado.
It was established by the VTARNG in 1983 to train 3/172nd IN. It was a schoolhouse maintained by the VTARNG until it became an Army schoolhouse.
If the COARNG had established the school and built such a highly regarded reputation, then the school would be in CO.
Is that the school on Pubg Mobile?
I attended the winter phase in 1989. Great course then and I’m sure its just as good or better now. One of the best courses I attended.