In ALARACT 06/2025 released on 13 March 2025, the US Army announces the Mountaineering Badge to recognize proficiency in mountaineering operations. However, as proficient as you might be in military mountaineering, its award is limited to graduates of the Army Mountaineering School which is run by the Vermont National Guard.
Currently, course graduates are awarded the famed Ram’s Head badge, which is only authorized for wear by National Guard Soldiers. When Sergeant Major of the Army Weimer announced that the Army would be introducing the badge to the total force during AUSA last fall, he stated that it would be a completely new badge and that the service would not adopt the Ram’s Head Device.
According to the message, the design of the badge has still not been determined but that the Army Institute of Heraldry will release the design within 60 days and it will be available for sale at Military Clothing Sales stores within 120 days.
Any idea if this is specific for the Mountain Warfare School or all Soldiers who earned E SQI? In other words, do Soldiers who got the E SQI by attending the Basic Mountaineering Course at the Northing Warfare Training Center also get the badge?
I’m sure more specific guidance will come. SQI E was not mentioned in the memo.
I preferred the Rams head device. But just like big Army does. gotta reinvent the wheel…..