Canada is synonymous with cold weather and the army must be ready to operate in all environments, especially in the most difficult ones. The course formerly called Winter Warfare - Basic Level changed a few years ago. We think that as canadians, we're generally adventurers and indifferent to the cold. Most recruits who enlist are not necessarily outdoor enthusiasts, which can greatly diminish skills and abilities in a winter warfare context.
Previously the program was divided into two parts: the basic level course and the instructor course (advanced). Now the course is divided into three parts : Cold Weather Operator Course, Cold Weather Operations Leader Course and Arctic Operations Course. We had to rethink ways of doing things and create a new program adapted for us. The goal is to avoid injuries in cold weather and to better the techniques for operating in cold weather. I would say the two major changes I have seen are the emphasis on skiing and the fact that they added cold water rescue which was formerly in the advanced course. Skiing has been put aside in recent years on the courses but one of the goal of the new course is to bring the skis back in order to allow soldiers to travel more distance and to save energy. The skies can be used for attacks, to resupply and for long range patrols. Another goal of the course is also to focus on the knowledge of techniques of survival, movement and also operations in cold weather rather than only sit on a snowbank occupying a defensive position or making an attack. It would be more at a unit level to perfect the tactical side and leave the technical notions for the course to teach.
In winter everything is slower, everything is more technical. We need knowledge to perform under these conditions. You have to adjust the equipment and adjust the ways of doing things. Being outside and getting used to the cold increases our ability to adapt. This is therefore the main goal that we have implemented for our course this winter. It is everyone's duty to update themselves with the new course format although previous qualifications still remain valid. Here are some comments collected from our members on the course.
Capt David Lapalme-Robitaille, Cmdt cours
« Étant un amateur de sport hivernale, je dois avouer qu'il y a plusieurs notions enseignées dans ce cours de 6 jours qui m'était déjà familiers. Par exemple, le principe de porter plusieurs couches de vêtements afin de pouvoir s'adapter aux changements de température ou aux différentes activités. Cependant, le fait de dormir dehors dans un abri improvisé était
nouveau pour moi. Je crois que tous les stagiaires ont eu plaisir à visualiser puis construire leur abris, composé uniquement de matériaux disponibles dans la forêt. De plus, j'ai
personnellement apprécié le fait de dormir dans nos abris afin de valider si nous avions pris des bonnes décisions en termes d'emplacement, matériaux utilisés et types de construction. D'un autre côté, nous avons eu plusieurs occasions d'aller dehors et de marcher en raquettes afin de tester nos combinaisons de vêtements et ainsi déterminer lesquels sont plus appropriés selon la température, le facteur éolien, la condition du terrain, etc. D'ailleurs nous avons aussi étudié les différentes blessures causées par le froid afin de les détecter rapidement et les éviter. Heureusement nous avons été chanceux d'avoir des températures clémentes lors de l'exercice de confirmation en campagne. Cependant je suis confiant que tout le monde était préparé physiquement à affronter des conditions plus glaciales.
Bref, ce cours est une bonne introduction afin de résister à notre plus grand ennemi l'hiver : le froid. »
Cplc Fréchette
« In my experience on the Cold Weather Operator Course I learned how to build improvised shelters, survival fires with reflective walls, and improvised defensive positions using wood
and snow. Also, how to dress properly and keep warm in different weather conditions using issued kit. I also learned how to set snares and prepare the animals that were trapped. Finally, I learned how to pull a loaded toboggan as a team, using snow shoes and cross-country skis. Everything that I learned on the course will serve me in my military career, as well as in my civilian life if ever I find myself in a survival situation. »
Cpl Sylvester 051
« What I will remember about the winter warfare course was the last weekend of the course. I enjoyed sleeping outside in the shelters that we built ourselves and gutting the fish. It made the scenario feel more real to me. It can serve me anytime I go camping in the woods with the army or as a civilian. »
Cpl Daignault 676
« J’ai bien apprécié le cours d’opérateur par temps froid, par exemple le fait de se déplacer en raquettes et en ski. Aussi de faire des abris avec la végétation autour. J’aurais personnellement aimé que le cours englobe plus de segments pratiques pour avoir plus d’expérience avec notre équipementdans divers conditions météorologiques car à la suite du cours je ne me sens pas 100% à l’aise avec l’équipement fournis par
les FAC. »
Sdt Boyer
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