Training Circular TC 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering November 2025

This United States Army manual, Training Circular TC 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering November 2025, is the Army’s doctrinal publication for military mountaineering. It provides doctrinal guidance and direction for how U.S. forces train military mountaineers to operate in complex and mountainous terrain.

This manual enables leaders and Soldiers to understand mountain and cold-weather environments; their effects on personnel, operations, and equipment; and most importantly, how units train Soldiers to prepare to deploy in complex mountain environments.

The principle audience for this publication is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs at all levels, including Army headquarters serving as joint task force or multinational headquarters, should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning military mountaineering techniques and procedures. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will use this publication to tailor their curriculum to the demands of military mountaineering.

This publication provides the conceptual framework for conventional forces to train Soldiers in military mountaineering and serves as a foundation for more demanding collective mountain warfare training. It addresses training for mountain and cold weather at the tactical level.