When did 10th Mountain stop making mountain training a requirement to join the division and why isn’t BMMC at least a requirement anymore?

Jake Lang — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 21:55:43 -0400

Hello everyone, hope you are all doing well. It’s been a long while since I last came on here, but a recent question has struck me at odds so far and I can’t seem to find a straight answer for it:

When did 10th Mountain stop making mountain training a requirement to join the division and why isn’t BMMC at least a requirement anymore?

It’s been a question that’s been bugging my mind for a while now, I know the tab is a sign of their heritage and history, but shouldn’t that tab also mean that they are qualified in still calling themselves a mountain division.

Anyways, hope you guys are all doing well.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Oct 18 at 2021 10:03 PM

SFC Marc W. — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 22:03:39 -0400

I imagine it has a lot to do with the never ending cycle of deployments since 2001. When I was there, very few people went to mountain school. It was run by the national guard and we had few slots to go.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 18 at 2021 11:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 23:30:49 -0400

Gee could it be that outside the Rangers and 82nd, they have been the most deployed unit in the Army?. NG has run the school for years, and there are damn few available slots. They had to make do with A-stan.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2021 7:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 07:23:53 -0400

It's because Mountain Warfare School just isn't that important. It's not necessary for every member of a division to attend mountain warfare school in order to fight in the mountains and mountain warfare isn't a significant piece of our operational environment. There is a limited amount of funding and personnel to be spread out to all the needs of the Army and resources are always tight.

Also there is no "joining" the 10th Mountain, it's a normal unit that you get assigned to. It's not like other units that you have to apply to join.

So, TLDR, 10th Mountain doesn't require Mountaineers to be successful in the mountains

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 19 at 2021 7:43 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 07:43:34 -0400

Fort Drum having no mountains may be a variable....

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2021 9:14 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 09:14:11 -0400

I am a BMWS graduate and my biggest takeaway was: Avoid mountaineering in combat operations if at all possible. Fly over the mountains, drive around them, drop soldiers for an OP via helicopter instead of climbing. Only climb if there is no other option. That being said any soldier would benefit from the training if only indirectly for most. It's challenging both physically and mentally. Additionally it can give planners and leaders a better understanding of the myriad of challenges of mountain movement.

Most, especially active duty, are probably unaware that there is one brigade of mountain infantry, in the guard, where the school is a requirement for the infantry, medics and several other jobs and is 'highly encouraged' for everyone else.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 19 at 2021 9:40 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 09:40:18 -0400

10th mountain is a great unit but I think you don't fully understand how folks get assigned. It's not SF, SOAR, or the 75th. There isn't pre-req training/certs needed to be assigned. The Mountain Warfare training is great but not a req to enter the door. Just like anything else schools have an issue with funding and schools seats.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Oct 20 at 2021 4:26 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:26:46 -0400

The tab is part of their heritage, just like 101's Airborne tab.

The Army is VERY big on unit history. We always want to understand that lineage and feel like the unit of now is the same unit it has always been - but with better toys. ESPECIALLY when tying to the great acts of courage, valor, and fortitude of folks from the greatest generation. Removing the Mountain designation from the 10th Infantry Division would sever those ties and make an unspoken statement that A) the 10th is no longer that unit, and B) we no longer feel the need to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of those great warriors who fought in the mountains of Italy - or the ones who fought in the mountains of Afghanistan, the deserts of Iraq and Somalia, or the MANY other places the Mountain Division has served with distinction.