Page 70 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

68 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Cold Weather Operators Course (CWOC)
Military Cold Weather Training:
Essential for Operational Success
Cold weather training is crucial in
enabling SP to operate effectively in
extremely cold weather and harsh envi-
ronments. As climate conditions become
increasingly unpredictable and military
operations expand into more diverse
regions, soldiers must be equipped with
the skills and knowledge to survive,
adapt, and succeed in cold weather
conditions. This specialised training
ensures that troops can maintain oper-
ational effectiveness, safeguard their
health, and achieving mission objectives
in environments that challenge both
human endurance and technological
systems.
The need for cold weather training
stems from the unique challenges posed
by extreme cold conditions. These chal-
lenges include hypothermia, frostbite,
snow blindness, and the overall diffi-
culty of movement and communication
in a cold weather environment. Such
environments can severely impair the
performance of equipment, including
weapons, vehicles, and communication
devices. Further, the cold can cause
rapid exhaustion in individuals, impair
decision-making, and reduce a soldier’s
physical and cognitive abilities. In such
environments, the margin for error is
incredibly slim, and soldiers must be
prepared for a wide range of scenarios
and conditions.
One of the primary aspects of cold
weather training is teaching soldiers how
to protect themselves from the elements.
This includes learning how to properly
layer clothing for best insulation and
moisture control, use the appropriate
equipment, and identify early signs of
frostbite or hypothermia. Soldiers are
trained to adapt to changing weather
conditions by learning to monitor
their bodies for signs of cold-induced
illnesses, ensuring that they can take
swift action to prevent further deteriora-
tion. Additionally, the training focuses on
building resilience to the cold through
acclimatisation. This process involves
gradual exposure to lower temperatures,
allowing the body to adapt to the physical
stresses of cold environments.
Survival skills are another critical
component of cold weather training. In
case of extended isolation or in emer-
gencies, soldiers are taught how to build
shelters, start fires, and ration supplies.
They learn how to melt snow for drinking
water and hunt or gather food in an envi-
ronment where resources may be scarce.
One soldier may or may not have fainted
after his first experience killing a chicken,
overwhelmed by the sudden, raw reality
of taking a life, even in the context of
preparing food. Navigation skills are also
developed in these conditions, as cold
environments can be disorienting and
difficult to traverse. Soldiers are trained
in using compasses, maps, and GPS
devices to maintain orientation and avoid
becoming lost, even in white-out condi-
tions.
Another key aspect of cold weather
training is the development of tactical
strategies for operating in harsh envi-
ronments. Cold weather operations often
require specialised strategies, as tradi-
tional military tactics may not be effective
in snow-covered terrain or areas with
limited visibility. Soldiers are trained to
move efficiently over snow, using snow-
shoes to traverse difficult ground.
Cold weather training fosters
teamwork and mental resilience. In
isolated, harsh environments, soldiers
must rely on each other for survival and
in order to achieve mission success. Cold
weather training challenges troops phys-
ically and mentally, helping to strengthen
bonds between team members. This
shared experience enhances morale and
highlights the importance of coopera-
tion in adverse conditions. One officer,
submerged in the cold-water immer-
sion drill, quickly turned into a human
popsicle, where upon he quickly found
himself wondering if he’d signed up for
boot camp or an accidental Arctic expe-
dition. Shivering in the freezing cold, He
couldn’t help but wonder if he’d made
a huge mistake; perhaps he should’ve
joined the RAF!
Sgt Pugh
The Sqn 2IC and SSM “Clink” to another successful night of making C Sqn SP miserable.