US Army Sgt. 1st Class David Girr and Staff Sgt. Cyran Willis, Vermont National Guard, attends the basic mountaineering course in Sao Joao Del Rei, Brazil, April 26, 2024. The pair of Soldiers graduated from the course that marked an international exchange between two mountainous military organizations. (U.S. Army photo by courtesy resource)
Vermont Business Magazine Two Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers participated in the Brazil Basic Mountaineering Course in April. Sergeant. 1st Class David Girr and Staff Sgt. Cyran Willis successfully graduated from the challenging program held in Sao Joao Del Rei, Brazil.
Both were invited to participate in the course as part of a larger mountain operations exchange program with the U.S. Army and Brazilian Army. This initiative aims to improve expertise in mountain warfare tactics and foster international camaraderie. Throughout their training, Girr and Willis worked closely with the Brazilian Army’s 11th Mountain Infantry Battalion.
“This experience has not only honed our technical skills,” Girr said, “but has also taught us about the terrain that Brazil offers.”
The Basic Brazilian Mountaineering Course is recognized for its rigorous training standards, designed to equip soldiers with the skills necessary to operate safely and effectively in mountainous environments. The course covers a variety of essential topics, including rock climbing, abseiling and sailing, all adapted to the unique characteristics of Brazil’s topography.
“I am incredibly grateful for the incredible opportunities the Vermont National Guard provides,” Girr said. “From training with Brazilians in South America to working with NATO forces in Kosovo and Eastern Europe, I can confidently say that this is the best job I have ever had.”
As part of the ongoing exchange, the U.S. Army hopes to host soldiers from the Brazilian Army at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School in Vermont. The Vermont National Guard and the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School have long-standing relationships with multiple international mountaineering groups and hosted the 2023 International Association of Military Schools.
The successful completion of the mountaineering course by Girr and Willis marks an important milestone in strengthening the military mountaineering education partnership between the United States and Brazil, paving the way for future cooperative initiatives benefiting both militaries.
Source: 06/18/2024. Vermont Army National Guard
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