Photo Essay: Marine takes plunge for cold-water immersion during training at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | A Marine associated with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., works to get out of the water after taking the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake under the watchful eye of instructor Joe Ernst as part of cold-water immersion training for the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2017, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Marine was one of 49 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

12.21.2017

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                         

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

A Marine associated with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., takes the plunge into a hole cut into an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake for the Cold-Weather Operations Course on Dec. 13, 2017, at Fort McCoy, Wis.

The Marine was one of 49 students in the course. In addition to cold-water immersion training, students were trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear.

Training also focused on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy.

• Date Taken: 12.21.2017
• Date Posted: 12.21.2017 10:53
• Story ID: 259834
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US