Mountain Warfare Training Center

The Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) is a United States Marine Corps installation located in Pickel Meadows on California State Route 108 in the Toiyabe National Forest, 21 miles northwest of Bridgeport, California. The training center exists to train units in complex compartmented terrain.

Mission
The Marine Corps' Mountain Warfare Training Center, as a major subordinate element of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, and with support from Marine Corps Installations - West, conducts unit and individual training courses to prepare USMC, Joint, and Allied Forces for operations in mountainous, high altitude, and cold weather environments in support of the Regional Combatant Commanders. Additionally, MWTC provides support to Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC); Training and Education Command; Marine Corps Systems Command; and other USMC and Department of Defense (DOD) agencies engaged in the development of warfighting doctrine and specialized equipment for use in mountain and cold weather operations.

History
The Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) is one of the Corps most remote and isolated posts. The Center was established in 1951 as the Cold Weather Battalion with a mission of providing cold weather training for replacement personnel bound for Korea. After the Korean War, in 1963, the school was renamed the "Mountain Warfare Training Center" due to its expanded role. During the 1980s the Training Center's focus was on training and preparing Marines and operational units for deployments on NATO's Northern flank, particularly Norway. Recently, with the Global War on Terrorism, the MWTC provides pre-deployment training in support of Operation Enduring Freedom—the war in Afghanistan.

Operating Areas
MWTC is located in what's known as Pickel Meadows of the Sierra Nevada mountains south of Lake Tahoe on 46000 acre of mountainous terrain with elevations from 6700 ft – 11,000 ft. Other areas utilized by MWTC: Sweetwater Airstrip 6835 ft, Mt Shasta 14179 ft, the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.) and Hawthorne Army Depot for live fire exercises. 38.35667°N, -119.51639°W

MWTC Installation Capabilities

 * Billeting facilities to support 1200+ training personnel
 * Chowhall to support permanent and training personnel
 * Naval Hospital Branch Clinic
 * Fire Department/EMS ambulances
 * Base Security Forces / PMO
 * Classrooms and base theater
 * 1200’ VSTOL-capable Expeditionary Airfield (EAF)
 * Fleet of BV 206 restricted terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206
 * Stables and pack animals
 * Specialized technical mountaineering and ski equipment
 * Modern Range Operations Center
 * Multiple small arms ranges
 * Multiple rock climbing training areas
 * Multiple stream crossing sites
 * Ski Lift
 * Avalanche training site
 * Unit/Combat Operations Center
 * MCCS, Post Exchange, Single Marine Program, Fitness Center and Rock Training/Climbing wall
 * The Pickel Post, Base Newsletter
 * Family Housing for Permanent personnel

Formal Courses / Training Programs Offered



 * Mountain / Cold Weather Pre-Environmental Training
 * Mountain Operations Staff Planning Course
 * Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Courses
 * Tactical Rope Suspension Techniques (TRST) Course
 * Mountain / Cold Weather Scout Sniper Course
 * Assault Climber Course
 * Scout Skier Course
 * Mountain / Cold Weather Survival Course
 * Mountain / Cold Weather Medicine Course (Navy)
 * OSV (Over the Snow Vehicle) / rough terrain driver training
 * Animal Packing Course
 * Custom tailored packages for Aviation units
 * Mountain Warfare Instructor Qualification Courses

Pre-Deployment Training Programs (PTP)

 * Mountain Exercise (MTNEX) (revamped summer/winter package customized per METL)
 * Training for all USMC MAGTF elements/units for OEF

Basic MWI

 * MLC or IQC (Instructor Qualification Course) Graduate, Seasonal
 * BIC (Basic Instructor Course)
 * SAT (Systems Approach to Training) and ORM (Operational Risk Management) Online Courses
 * ORM (Operational Risk Management)
 * RSO (Range Safety Officer)
 * 225 score on the [United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test] (PFT) unadjusted for age or altitude
 * Recommendation from Course Chief

Senior MWI

 * Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Course (or IQC)
 * Completed AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course
 * Qualify as a BSI (Basic Ski Instructor)
 * Complete Snow II Clinic
 * Complete Rock II Clinic
 * Complete Alpine II Clinic
 * Certified as a Wilderness First Responder or higher
 * Completed 20 hours of platform Instruction
 * Recommendation from OIC.

Master MWI

 * Completed AIARE Avalanche Level 2 or Level 1 Instructor Course
 * Qualify as a MSI (Military Ski Instructor).
 * Complete Snow III Clinic
 * Complete Rock III Clinic
 * Complete Alpine III Clinic
 * Completed 40 hours of platform Instruction
 * Recommendation from OIC.