Ten soldiers of the Vermont Army National Guard’s (VTARNG) Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) successfully completed the first recorded Norwegian Ski Badge event hosted by a unit other than the Norwegian Armed Forces at Ethan Allen Firing Range on February 28. Completing the rigorous requirements of the badge displays the unit’s long-standing legacy as a premier mountain infantry organization.
“For our Soldiers, skiing isn’t just a badge to earn. It’s a core mountain skill and part of who we are as a company,” said 1st Sgt. Robin Fitch-McCullough, of Alpha Company. “When you put a ruck on their backs and send them across snow and mountains as a team, you build toughness, trust and confidence. Events like this sharpen our edge, strengthen our cohesion, and make our Soldiers ready for whatever mission comes next.”
The Norwegian Ski Badge is a military proficiency badge awarded to Soldiers who demonstrate endurance and skill in military skiing under rigorous winter conditions. Earning this badge requires meeting multiple expectations. Soldiers must complete a 30-kilometer (18-mile) ski course across varied terrain. They must do so while carrying a weapon and a weighted ruck totaling at least 11 kilograms (24 pounds). A marksmanship assessment of a full rifle qualification is also required. These conditions challenge strength, endurance and technical proficiency in winter mountain conditions and demonstrate a Soldier’s readiness for mountain and winter operations.
The event is conducted in accordance with standards established by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and its Defense Attaché Office. Alpha Company formally requested authorization to host the event and confirmed that its operations plan meets all prescribed requirements, including distance, equipment and uniform configuration, time standards, environmental considerations and safety protocols.
The 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), also known as the “Mountain Battalion” is part of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The U.S. Army established Alpha company in September 1982 to rebuild the Army’s light infantry capability in winter and mountain warfare following the disbandment of the historic 10th Mountain Division after World War II.