Cold Weather Combat: Units Who Excel in Winter Warfare

-50°F wind chill. Zero visibility. A ridgeline too steep for vehicles.

For most, it’s a whiteout.

For the Army’s 10^th Mountain Division (LI), it’s a battlefield.

Cold-weather combat is more than a test of endurance. It’s where grit becomes strategy, and where soldiers are forged into leaders under pressure. The U.S. Army has built a legacy of thriving in these brutal environments, and that legacy lives on today through specialized training, elite units, and unwavering readiness

10^th Mountain Division (LI): Where Cold-Weather Legacy Was Born

When it comes to military expertise in extreme conditions, the 10^th Mountain Division (LI) leads the way.

Born out of necessity during World War II, this unit was created to do what no other could: fight and win in mountainous, snow-covered terrain. After training in the Rockies, they deployed to Italy and helped break through German strongholds high in the Apennine Mountains¹.

Now stationed at Fort Drum, New York—home to some of the harshest winters in the U.S.—the10^th Mountain Division (LI), remains the Army’s most deployed light infantry division. From Afghanistan to the Arctic, they’ve carried forward a tradition of rapid response and cold-weather dominance.

But mastering operations in deep snow, steep elevations, and subzero conditions doesn’t happen by accident. It takes focused training, elite instruction, and the kind of mental toughness that only comes from the harshest field environments.

AMWS: Forging Winter-Ready Soldiers

Outside of the Mountain Training Group at Fort Drum, the Army Mountain Warfare School (AMWS) is another institution where these soldiers acquire the specialized skills necessary to survive and operate effectively in the challenging terrain and techniques required for operating in these harsh environments².

Located in Jericho, Vermont, AMWS prepares soldiers to move, survive, and lead in mountainous and arctic conditions. Its courses are physically and mentally demanding by blending technical skills with cold-weather survival.

Soldiers learn to navigate icy ridgelines, rappel under load, build snow shelters, and lead units in whiteout conditions. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving under pressure and teamwork in life-threatening terrain.

Graduates earn the coveted Army Mountaineering Badge³, signaling mastery in high-angle military movement and winter operations. But the badge isn’t just a symbol; it’s a signal that a soldier has faced the extremes and come out stronger.

This is where the Army hones the edge required to win in places where most forces falter.

Winter Warfare: Not Just a Niche—A Strategic Imperative

In extreme cold, even the smallest failure can spiral into a serious threat. That’s why the Army doesn’t just train for winter—it outfits its soldiers with purpose-built tools designed for one mission: endure, adapt, and overcome.

Here’s what sets cold-weather operations apart:

Layered Clothing Systems

Soldiers use a three-layer system⁴: moisture-wicking base layers to stay dry, insulating mid-layers for warmth, and outer shells that protect against wind and snow. It’s not just about staying warm—it’s about preventing hypothermia and regulating body heat during long missions.

Cold-Weather Weapon Modifications

Standard lubricants can freeze, so weapons are treated with cold-tolerant alternatives⁵. Modifications ensure reliable firing and reduced risk of jamming when seconds matter most.

High-Calorie MREs

Cold burns calories fast. Winter-specific Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)⁶ are packed with additional nutrients to fuel the body through altitude, exertion, and freezing temps.

Insulated Shelter and Power

Cold-weather military shelters⁷ are designed with advanced insulation, sealed seams, and heat retention technologies to minimize energy use while maximizing safety and operational effectiveness. These systems help reduce frost buildup, improve internal temperatures, and ensure equipment and personnel remain functional—day and night.

Still, gear alone isn’t enough. Soldiers must know how to layer strategically, protect essential tech, and act quickly at the first signs of frostbite or fatigue.

And that kind of readiness doesn’t stay on the battlefield—it follows you home.

Grit in the Snow, Strength at Home

Soldiers trained for winter warfare carry more than gear. They carry a mindset: prepare for what’s ahead, protect those around you, and lead through uncertainty.

And that mindset doesn’t end when the mission is over.

At The Uniformed Services Benefit Association^® (USBA^®), we believe that same spirit of readiness should guide how service members protect their families. Life is full of unknowns, and having reliable life insurance in place is one way to stay mission-ready, no matter the conditions.

Because the same commitment that prepares a soldier to lead in a whiteout can prepare a parent, partner, or provider to shield what matters most.

1. “10th Mountain Division (Li).” 10th Mountain Division (LI) :: Fort Drum, home.army.mil/drum/units-tenants/10th-mountain-division-li. Accessed 16 Sept. 2025.
2. “Fort Benning.” Fort Benning | Army Mountain Warfare School (AMWS), www.benning.army.mil/infantry/amws/. Accessed 16 Sept. 2025.
3. Skovlund, Joshua. “Redesigned Ram’s Head Device Now Authorized Service-Wide.” Reserve & National Guard, 1 May 2025, reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-news/redesigned-rams-head-device-now-authorized-service-wide/.
4. “Peo Soldier: Portfolio - PM SSV - Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (Gen III ECWCS).” Program Executive Office Soldier, /www.peosoldier.army.mil/Equipment/Equipment-Portfolio/Project-Manager-Soldier-Survivability-Portfolio/Generation-III-Extended-Cold-Weather-Clothing-System. Accessed 16 Sept. 2025.
5. Rooney, James. “Winter Weapons Handling.” www.Army.Mil, 3 Jan. 2018, www.army.mil/article/198696/winter_weapons_handling.
6. “Meal, Cold Weather (MCW).” Defense Logistics Agency The Nation’s Logistics Combat Support Agency, https://www.dla.mil/Troop-Support/Subsistence/Operational-rations/MCW/ Accessed 16 Sept. 2025.
7. Marketeer. “Operational Readiness with Cold-Weather Military Tents.” Alaska Defense, 22 Aug. 2025, https://alaskadefense.com/maintaining-operational-readiness-with-cold-weather-military-tents/.