Specific Physical Training of Future Officers for Actions in Mountain Environments

Abstract The mountain environment implies a certain degree of difficulty even in peacetime, in civilian sector activities, even more so from a military point of view, especially in conducting operations in this environment. The varied terrain, sudden weather changes, oxygen depletion with increasing altitude and the lack of suitable travel lanes are just some of the challenges that future officer mountain hunters have to face and overcome. Preparation for this stage must start early with an emphasis on physical and mental endurance, the latter being a basic pillar for any military person, but even more so for a mountain hunter. Sustained physical effort in difficult terrain and exposure to bad weather combined with strong winds requires a trained psyche, ready to carry on even when the physique might give way. Endurance training also plays an important role and contributes to the ability of mountain hunters to traverse large areas of terrain in a relatively short time using weapon-specific methods and techniques. Being a mountain hunter puts a strain on your body and mind. One thing we can improve as mountain hunters is certainly the level of physical training specific to this weapon. Given the specificity of mountain hunter actions in terms of both ski and alpine training, training with a focus on the lower body is a starting point in the physical preparation needed to carry out actions in the mountain environment.