A student at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare Schools advanced military mountaineer course uses a locator beacon to find a simulated casualty during avalanche rescue training in January 2022. The Army recently established the Mountaineering Badge, which active-duty soldiers will be able to wear for the first time upon graduating from the basic mountaineering course. (Whitney Hughes/U.S. Army)
The Army has announced the establishment of the Mountaineering Badge, making a long-recognized achievement available to wear for the first time for active-duty soldiers.
The badge recognizes mountaineering proficiency and also is aimed at promoting retention and professional development, an Army administrative message said March 13.
The Vermont National Guard operates the Army Mountain Warfare School from the Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. Active-duty soldiers have been able to attend the school and graduate, but they haven’t been able to wear the badge.
The school also offers a range of courses that cover topics like moving small units over hazardous terrain, medical evacuations and marksmanship skills.
A screenshot of a possible Mountaineering Badge rendering posted by the U.S. Army on LinkedIn, March 18, 2025. (U.S. Army/LinkedIn)
The current Ram’s Head device, first introduced in the 1950s, is worn by eligible members of the Vermont National Guard. It has been tied to graduation from the basic mountaineering course since the school opened in 1983.
The design process is still underway on the revised badge and the Institute of Heraldry has until May 12 to complete the new design.
The badge will be included in the Group 4 classification and be worn in the same manner as special skill categories such as parachutist and pathfinder.
