CWOC students build improvised shelters during training in January at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | Fort McCoy Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 20-02 students build a fire after building an improvised shelter Jan. 15, 2020, at a South Post training area at Fort McCoy, Wis. CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training and skiing as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses 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, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

01.31.2020

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                                     

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

Fort McCoy Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 20-02 students built improvised shelters Jan. 15, 2020, at a South Post training area at Fort McCoy, Wis.

During each session of CWOC, students spend several days in the field surviving in improvised shelters they built with materials they find and have with them. According to course instructors, students spend approximately 20 hours during their 14 days of training learning about and building improvised shelters.

Instructors said the most important factor for each shelter is making sure it’s well insulated. Some students have used evergreen boughs combined with leaves and debris. Others have incorporated Army ponchos with natural materials.

CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training and skiing as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear.

Training also focuses 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.

Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services each year since 1984.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.

• Date Taken: 01.31.2020
• Date Posted: 01.31.2020 13:53
• Story ID: 361340
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US