Northern Warfare

What is Northern Warfare?
Northern Warfare is taught at the Northern Warfare Training Center in Alaska. This course is designed to familiarize selected cadets with the skills required for movement in mountainous terrain and cold regions during summer months. Emphasis is placed on basic military mountaineering skills and reviver operations on the inland water ways.

What Should I Know About Northern Warfare School as a Cadet?
This is one of the most physically challenging schools the Army has to offer for cadets. Slots for this school are difficult to get, and James Madison University typically only sends one cadet every two years. Northern Warfare School is held at Black Rapids Training Site, a small facility about the size of a barracks found at Fort AP Hill. There are no PX facilities, or any other area nearby for resupply; thus, you must attend with everything you will need for the duration of the course.

Northern Warfare offers two main courses of instruction. The first course, and most likely the only course a cadet or officer will attend, is the Basic Mountaineering Course. This two week program gives soldiers the basics of climbing techniques, rappelling styles, and the basics of river crossing. Everyday you will set out with a rucksack for training that lasts the entire day; before the end of the course, these rucks will weigh up to 90-100 lbs, so be prepared. If weather permits, you will summit one of the higher mountain peaks in Alaska.

Those who get first time "Go's" on all of the test material, as well as a high enough technical score on the tested climb, will be extended the opportunity to attend the second major Northern Warfare course, the Assault Climber's Course, which delves more deeply into the subject matter explored in the Basic Mountaineering Course.

Who Can I Talk to About Northern Warfare School?
Contact a cadre member if you have any questions regarding the course.

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