Curriculum for NATO Basic Cold Weather Unit Training

Determined for use by

Centre of Excellence – Cold Weather Operations

Elverum, 1.October 2020

Jo Christen Haugom
Colonel
Director of Centre of Excellence
Cold Weather Operations
Metadata
SHORT TITLE: Curriculum for Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training
SECURITY Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION:
PURSUANT: Professional responsibility
APPLIES TO: NATO forces
PUBLISHER: Centre of Excellence Cold Weather Operations
PROFESSIONAL Centre of Excellence Cold Weather Operations
AUTHORITY:
PROFESSIONAL Centre of Excellence Cold Weather Operations
RESPONSIBILITY:
EFFECTIVE: 01 November 2020
PREVIOUS VERSION: Curriculum for Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training (1st Oct 2019)

Contents
1 General................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 TARGET AUDIENCE .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY ..................................................................................................... 3
1.4 REFERENCES AND FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS ................................................................................... 3
2 Organization of Education ................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 GUIDANCE FROM DIRECTOR OF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE - COLD W EATHER OPERATIONS ................. 3
2.2 COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INSTRUCTOR........................................................................ 4
2.3 EDUCATION MODEL ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.4 REPORTING .................................................................................................................................... 4
3 Educational Goals .............................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 AIMS AND INTENT FOR THE EDUCATION ............................................................................................. 4
4 Prerequisites ....................................................................................................................................... 5
5 Timings ................................................................................................................................................ 5
6 Attachments ........................................................................................................................................ 5
6.1 ATTACHMENT B – LEVELLING CONCEPTS .......................................................................................... 5
6.2 ATTACHMENT C – EDUCATIONAL GOALS FOR ALLIED BASIC COLD W EATHER UNIT TRAINING
M.......................................................................................................................................................... 6
6.3 ATTACHMENT D-1– GENERIC SYLLABUS FOR STAFF PRETRAINING AT ALLIED BASIC COLD
W EATHER UNIT TRAINING.................................................................................................................... 11
6.4 ATTACHMENT D-2 – GENERIC SYLLABUS FOR NCO’S PRETRAINING AT ALLIED BASIC COLD
W EATHER UNIT TRAINING.................................................................................................................... 11
6.5 ATTACHMENT D-3 – GENERIC SYLLABUS FOR MEDIC’S PRETRAINING AT ALLIED BASIC COLD
W EATHER UNIT TRAINING.................................................................................................................... 12
6.6 ATTACHMENT D-4 – GENERIC SYLLABUS FOR ALLIED BASIC COLD W EATHER UNIT TRAINING. .......... 13
1 General
1.1 Purpose
This curriculum describes the educational goals and guidelines for any Unit that needs a cold
weather capability. It is a basic program and is designed for units with little, or no, cold weather
experience. It is mandatory that this training is supported by winter instructors.
The overall aim of this curriculum is to establish the basic routines for operations in cold weather
and give the Unit basic knowledge of how to fight and maintain combat readiness in a cold
climate.
The training consists of a four week program. The first week focuses on the staff, NCO and
medic training and preparations, and the last three weeks are for unit training.
Through the training, the Unit will acquire knowledge and skills on utilizing their own combat
techniques in winter conditions, whilst also being able to use their weapon platforms as well as
maintain them.
The training should create a positive attitude towards winter training. The training audience
should understand the importance of proper preparation and training in the winter environment,
in order to realise the benefits during their own operations.
The end state is that the unit is ready to start field integration training with Norwegian or other
allied Units.

1.2 Target audience

 Rotational forces.
 Units participating in winter exercises.
 Units preparing for cold weather operations.

1.3 Responsibility and authority

Director of Centre of Excellence - Cold Weather Operations (COE – CWO) is responsible for the
development, maintenance and enforcement of this curriculum.

1.4 References and foundation documents

 UD 6-81 E Instructions in Winter Service.
 Masterlectures COE-CWO.

2 Organization of Education
2.1 Guidance from Director of Centre of Excellence - Cold Weather Operations
Operating in a cold weather environment is a collective skill. Therefore, all personnel in the unit
are required to complete the training. The mastery of soldiering skills in winter conditions
involves possessing both knowledge and skills while maintaining a positive attitude toward cold
weather operations.

The focus should be on realistic training of individual and team skills in a cold weather
environment. This education should be characterized by thoroughness, professional
understanding, and provide adequate time to practice the skills. The unit and soldier must
understand which assessments form the basis for all winter activity.
During the conduct of training, particular emphasis should be placed on safety while conducting
practical execution of the exercise.
In conclusion, the training will provide the unit with a foundational knowledge of the challenges
they will face, as well as, the importance of thorough preparation and planning to execute cold
weather operations.

2.2 Competence requirements for the instructor

Supporting instructors form the Norwegian Army must be experienced in winter service and
have served at least three years at their respective home Units. The supporting instructors must
attend refresher training and preparation prior to the education commencing.

2.3 Education model

The training has an overall duration of four weeks. It is divided into two phases; First phase is
training for the staff, NCOs and medics. Phase two is winter training for the whole Unit.
The staff training will focus on establishing basic guidelines for planning and preparations for
operations in cold weather and give the staff knowledge of how to plan and prepare their unit for
operations in a cold climate.
For NCOs the first week contains a combination of theoretical and practical lessons in basic
winter skills. It concludes with a short field exercise focusing on establishing and operating a
proper winter bivouac. This to ensure that the NCOs have a head start on the rest of the Unit
and are able to start training their own soldiers.
The medic training will focus on how to prevent and treat cold weather injuries. After the training
the medics shall be able to independently assess which injuries must be evacuated or which
can be treated in the field.
Phase two, starts with a focus on the basic skills for operating in a cold weather environment.
The lessons are a mixture of theory and practice, covering; correct winter clothing, maintenance
of gear and materiel, prevention of cold weather injuries, winter bivouacs, safe routing and
buddy rescue. This is in order to ensure that all soldiers have sufficient knowledge of cold
weather operations and how to operate in a challenging climate in a safe manner.
The last two weeks of the training will be a field exercise aimed at platoon level, supported and
advised by winter instructors. During these two weeks the following subjects will be covered;
use and maintenance of weapons, both personal and Unit, platoon movement on skis and/or
snowshoes, navigation with a focus on safe and efficient routing, and different types of bivouac
in the winter environment. It is important that the soldiers are exposed to a prolonged period of
cold weather, this to experience; How the cold climate affects the soldier’s combat readiness.
The final part of the field exercise is to be carried out in a tactical setting and should include
missions at squad and platoon-level. A tactical scenario will allow the platoons to use their own
combat techniques (TTP’s) in the winter and refine their experiences operating tactically in cold
weather operations.
In the last part of the field training there will be a separate training for the unit’s staff and support
functions in how to operate and maintenance a command post in the winter environment.
The final day has been set aside for the cleaning and maintenance of material as well as an
evaluation of the exercise.

2.4 Reporting
Upon completion of the exercise the unit will write an after-action report and send a copy of the
report to Centre of Excellence - Cold Weather Operations.

3 Educational Goals
3.1 Aims and intent for the education
See 6.3 Attachment C – Educational goals for Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training.
4 Prerequisites
 The unit and its soldiers must utilize their own organic combat gear and winter specific
equipment during the exercise.
 The training must be carried out in winter conditions with zero degrees Celsius or colder.

5 Timings
Curriculum for Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training takes effect from 1.November 2020.

6 Attachments
6.1 Attachment A – Levelling concepts
Action verbs that describe knowledge goals:

LEVEL MEANS ITEMS ON ACTION VERBS

Can apply Solve problems, make logical Consider, discuss, decide,
Highest

assessments. judge, relate, produce,

level

modify, develop, organize,

formulate

Understand Understand content and meaning so Distinguish, identify, classify,

Intermediate

that knowledge can be used in recognise, generalize, put

simple and concrete situations.
Divide the knowledge into elements
and see the context.
Know Reproduce knowledge/facts,
Lowest
into context, select,
restructure
Translate, reproduce with

involves the first step of own words, illustrate,

level

understanding. Is often called present, repeat, distinguish,

knowledge of facts. explain, demonstrate,
recognise, describe

Action verbs that describe skill goals:

LEVEL MEANS
Master Perform independently under realistic conditions where only a
Highest

small part of the mental capacity is used. This implies a certain

level

automaticity, which means that, the student is teased to a

certain level.

Independent On command, signs and signals or on their own initiative.

Intermediate

Without guidance. Requirements can be set for the execution

With guidance On command, signs and signals or on their own initiative, with
Lowest

instruction and access to help

level
6.2 Attachment B – Educational goals for Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training

CODE DESCRIPTION REVISED:

Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training Oct 2019
EDUCATIONAL GOALS
Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training focuses on basic knowledge of movement and operations in cold weather environments.
The training will give the Unit a collective understanding and skills for fighting and maintaining combat readiness in a cold climate.

CODE DESCRIPTION
01 LEADERSHIP
 Leaders must know how the cold climate and winter affect military
operations, and that the winter climate must be included as a factor
in mission planning.
 Leaders at all levels must understand the importance of proper
preparation and training to be able to operate in cold weather
environment.
 Leaders at all levels must understand the importance of;
professional competency, good leadership, present leaders and
clear communication in winter conditions.
 Leaders must, independently, be able conduct risk assessments
prior to all military operations in cold climates and implement this in
all operational planning.
 Leaders must establish two-way communications with their
subordinates so that they report, early on, the effects of the cold
climate. This to prevent injuries and ensure combat readiness.

CONTROL FUNCTIONS
02  Understand how winter impacts on military operations at their level.
 The Officers and NCOs must know the importance control routines
in winter conditions.
 The commander must determine and establish sufficient and
effective control routines for the Unit.
03 CLOHTING
 Know how the body regulates heat.
 Understand the importance of the correct working temperature.
 Know the principles of clothing.
 Know about the different types of fabric in our clothing, including
their strengths and weaknesses.
 Know how to optimize the use of military clothing in accordance with
the conditions.

COLD WEATHER INJURIES

04  Understand how to prevent, recognize and treat Cold Weather
Injuries (CWI); including hypothermia, frostbite, non-freezing cold
injuries and snow blindness.
 Facilitate an attitude and awareness of how to take appropriate
care, in order to prevent reduced force strength through injuries.

NUTRITION
05
 Know the correct intake of nutrients and maintenance of body liquid
balance in operations in the cold weather environment in order to
prevent of cold weather injuries and the potential decrease in
combat sustainability.

HYGIENE
06
 Understand the importance of good personal hygiene in cold
climate, this is because soldiers live closer to each other and
because a lack of sleep, combined with stress make you more
susceptible to illness.
 Understand the routines for daily washing and shaving, which in
wintertime is done only in the evening.
 Know the principles of washing, drying and field maintaining
personal clothing.
 The Unit must ensure that the soldier has time and opportunity to
maintain good hygiene in the field.
07 SAFE ROUTING AND NAVIGATION
 Independently be able to move and navigate safely in easy Winter
terrain.
 Understand the importance of proper navigation skills, and
knowledge about the issues snow cowered terrain can cause for
military movement.
 Master proper marching routines.
 Understand the principles of trailbreaking.
 With guidance be able to cross frozen water.

BIVOUAC
08  Master establishing and operating a proper winter bivouac
 Know the different types of winter bivouacs and understand the
principles of bivouacs in winter, including an understanding of how
to organize the bivouac.
 Understand the main principles and the sequence in establishing
Winter Patrol and Platoon base
 The soldier must understand different techniques and procedures
used in the winter in order to minimize the risk of being detected by
enemy trackers. These techniques and procedures consist of:
o Track discipline
o Track deception and false trails
o Jump off techniques
o Camouflage

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND USE OF STOVES

09
 Independently ignite and extinguish a stove in accordance with the
prescribed procedure.
 Understand which type of fuel is to be used, and the safety
regulations to be followed when using stoves.
 Independently be able to perform simple troubleshooting.
 Understand the challenges linked to production of carbon monoxide
(CO) when using stoves/burners indoors, inside tents or other types
of bivouacs.
  Understand how to prevent CO-poisoning when utilizing burners
within confined spaces for heating or preparation of food and
melting snow for drinking water.
 Understand on symptoms of CO-poisoning and quick response
when suspected poisoning.

BREAK TROUGH ICE DRILL

10  Know how the body reacts to cold water and learn a technique to
get back onto safe ground. This is to be done by ALL personnel.

DEMOSTRATION SOUND AND LIGHT

11  Understand the importance of maintaining sound and light discipline
in winter conditions.
 Know how the weather affects sound, light and how the weather can
affect at what distances this is detected.

BUDDY RESCUE
12  Understand the importance of buddy rescue and know the correct
procedures if an avalanche occurs and someone is buried.
 Independently be able to use avalanche rescue/search equipment.
 Know the principles of how to decide what area of the avalanche to
search and to how define the primary search area.

WEAPON
13
 Know how much hard packed snow is needed to stop up to a 7,62
cal. Projectile.
 Know how to make a well camouflaged and safe defensive position
in snow covered environment.
 Master operating personal weapons in winter conditions.
 Independently be able to use different shooting positions with skies
and snowshoes.
 Understand the importance of weapon maintenance in winter
conditions.
14 IMPROVISED BIVOUAC
 Know the principles for building an improvised bivouac, including
protection from three sides and insulation from the ground.
 With guidance able to build improvised bivouac in the snow.
 Independently able to use their own military equipment as isolation
from the ground.
 Understand how an improvised bivouac must be placed in the
terrain to obtain protection from the elements and the enemy.
 Independently be able to build a bonfire and know how it should be
placed in proportion to a bivouac. Know how a reflector improves
heat obtained from a fire.

COMBAT TECHNICS IN WINTER CONDITION

15  Independently be able to use the Unit’s standardized combat drills in
winter conditions.
 Understand how the snow affects the combat technique and what
adjustments need to be made.
 Independently be able to move on skis and/or snowshoes.
 Understand the difficulty of finding cover, especially when much of
the formations are covered in snow.

MAINTENANCE
16
 Independently be able identify and perform maintenance on
personal equipment and team equipment in the field in winter
conditions.
6.3 Attachment D-1– Generic syllabus for Staff pretraining at Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training.

Staff Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week Instructor Introduction of program Winter Challenges for: Tabletop exercise Tabletop exercise
preparations Introduction of winter  Logistic
0
service. Units
Winter Training  Costal
Winter Challenges for: Operations
 Intel  Air Mobile
Operations
 Mechanized
Units  Medical
Units
 Artillery
 Engineer
Units

6.4 Attachment D-2 – Generic syllabus for NCO’s pretraining at Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training.

NCO’S Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week Instructor Introduction of program Cold weather injuries Winter Combat Buddy rescue. Reset/Rest
preparations  Talk through Safe routing and  Platoon / Maintenance Kit prepared, dried,
0
the whole navigation, winter Patrol base checked within teams
period Bivouac principles
 Aims  Know  Fighting
 expectations different positions
Introduction of winter
types of  Camouflage
bivouacs.
service.  Track
Leadership, Control  Principles of discipline
Functions and Safety bivouacs in
Marching routines 50/10
During Winter winter.
 How to use
Clothing Carbon monoxide
the 10 minute
poisoning and use of
Kit Prepared and break
stove
packed within the day  Warm clothes
Night Out
 Buddy check
 Equipment
Night Out
6.5 Attachment D-3 – Generic syllabus for medic’s pretraining at Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training.

MEDIC Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week Instructor Introduction of program Theme frostbite Theme hypothermia
0 preparations Cold weather injuries  Theory  Theory
Control Functions and  Practical and  Practical and
Safety During Winter treatment treatment
 Siberia check  Who should be  Who should be
 Practical evacuated and evacuated and
implementation who can who can
under continue the continue the
supervision exercise exercise
6.6 Attachment D-4 – Generic syllabus for Allied Basic Cold Weather Unit Training.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Instructor Introduction of program Cold weather injuries Winter Combat Break through ice drill Reset/Rest
Week preparations
 Talk through the Bivouac  Platoon base Kit prepared, dried,
1 whole period principles checked within teams
 Know
 Aims different types  Fighting Ski and Snowshoes
of bivouacs. positions
 Expectations activity on flat ground
 Principles of  Camouflage “Having fun while skiing”
Introduction of winter
bivouacs in
service.  Track discipline
winter.
Leadership, Control
Functions and Safety Carbon monoxide
During Winter poisoning and use of
MSR stove
Clothing
Preparations for night out
Kit Prepared and packed
within the day Tent
Combat ready (KTS)
Snowshoe to bivouac
area
Night Out whit focus on
basic tent routines

Transport to Buddy rescue Navigation in winter Winter combat Weapons Improvised bivouac Every platoon
Week exercise area conditions and safe training on their
 Introduction to Patrol base Demo weapons effect  Emergency
2 Establish base as buddy rescue
routing
bivouac
specific combat
Tracks Live Firing technics (TTP’s)
a platoon March routines
 Snow Camouflage Zeroing rifles  Improvised
knowledge Crossing of frozen water shelter
Tactical movement in snow Weapons maintenance in Maintenance of
Demonstration  4 factor Emergency shelter winter condition  Fire
sound & light equipment
assessment Practical implementation  Preparing food
Three lessons as a circular in small groups Establish patrol base
Night in shelter
trail

Basic winter bivouac routines, dry clothes, boiled water etc.

Weapons Tactical mission Tactical mission Tactical mission Maintenance

Week
Live firing AAR
3
Order meeting Course evaluation
Exercise
preparations