Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center - Who's been to this lovely place as a student (or stationed)?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:53:21 -0400

I went in April of last year to Mountain Survival Course - hands down the best cadre I've experienced in 18+ years in the military (with countless civilian and sister branch schools attended) and the best course I've taken to date. The knowledge I've gained in that course is not just applicable to a cold mountain side, but to life as a whole.

Who else has attended training at Bridgeport? What course(s)? Winter or Summer? Best memory? Worse memory?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 2:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:28:23 -0400

I almost forgot, I lost 19lbs in the 12 day survival phases!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 14 at 2015 3:14 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:14:53 -0400

Ah, Pickle Meadows. I was the chief engineer for NRMC CAMPEN hence had all the clinics including the one up at MWTC. At the time there was a danger of losing the lease with the Forest Service as the facilities were "temporary" so there was a series of projects to make it permanent in the early '80s. There was a bump up in OPTEMPO there so I had to put a modular addition in prior to the clinic MILCON. So I flew into Reno to pick up my compact car and head out to do some site survey and more detailed estimates. Problem was the rental car place only had one car left and it wasn't a compact. The look on the guard's face when this Seabee showed up in a pink Caddy was priceless. So for the next couple of years of TDYs out there, I was always asked what I did with my "Pimpmobile". Good group up there. They really appreciated the help.

Response by Sgt Kyle Thomson made Oct 20 at 2015 2:58 PM

Sgt Kyle Thomson — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:58:04 -0400

I've been there. About 6 years ago in Oki. Wish I still had my hoody from there or could get another one!

Response by Sgt Jevon Ciciliot made Oct 21 at 2015 1:08 PM

Sgt Jevon Ciciliot — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:08:04 -0400

Agreed. I was there in the winter of 07. The best training experience I had in 8 years in the MC. Closest thing to a real life experience I ever had. We even had an acl tear and had to traverse the side of an avalanche suspect mountain side to get him to the medivac site. 6 day survival course. I'm an avid wilderness hiker/camper and I still use skills I learned there for both my warm weather and cold weather treks. I hope that place and that program stays in the budget for a long long time. The MC isn't always perfect, but they got that one right for sure.

Response by LtCol Chris Jackson made Oct 21 at 2015 9:13 PM

LtCol Chris Jackson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:13:21 -0400

I attended the Mountain Leader Course in 1996, which is the assault climber course. Still the best course I ever attended in 25 years of service.

Response by LtCol Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 8:48 PM

LtCol Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 20:48:42 -0400

I used to fly SAR up there. Great mountain flying and confined area landings.
Hot summer days and high altitude made for some interesting applied physics :-)

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Oct 30 at 2016 4:05 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 04:05:18 -0400

Did the winter package in Feb-March 95. Heaviest pack I ever carried. I never did catch on to skiing. I think I spent more time under the snow than on top of it.