RON ANDREE
1st Brigade, 11th Airborne Division
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

How do you fight and win in the Arctic when you must prepare as if no one will help you, every mission takes longer to accomplish, it's always winter and everything breaks at minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit?^1,2 Just ask the Arctic Wolves.

We’re the 1st Brigade, 11th Airborne Division — the Army’s only Arctic brigade. Surviving and succeeding in this harsh, beautiful environment is what we do. Every mission here starts with meticulous risk management because safety and effectiveness are non-negotiable. Here’s how we tackle the challenges of the North.

Adapting to the environment

Our training schedules might look like those of any other infantry brigade; however, they’re anything but standard. While others avoid the cold, we gear up and face it head-on. For half the year, temperatures plummet between minus 20 to minus 30 degrees, and we adapt by layering cold-weather uniforms to match shifting conditions and mission needs. Sub-zero temperatures don’t stop our physical training. Instead, we gear up with skis or snowshoes and venture off the beaten path.

Risk management is at the heart of everything we do because even small missteps can jeopardize a Soldier’s safety. Losing a glove, standing still for too long, sweating too much, wearing wet socks or touching metal with bare skin — all of these can escalate into serious injuries without immediate care. Arctic hazards can sometimes be deadlier than the enemy, and our leaders meticulously plan for these challenges every step of the way.³

Mastering Arctic survival

The Arctic doesn’t care where you’re from, so every new Soldier completes the Cold Weather Indoctrination Course before winter hits. This essential training lays the groundwork with hands-on practice to prepare them for the Arctic environment. To build on that foundation, squad and section leaders further hone their skills with an intensive 21-day Cold Weather Leaders Course, which focuses on managing cold-weather challenges, snow navigation and injury prevention. Meanwhile, senior leaders (sergeants first class and above) participate in a focused five-day Cold Weather Orientation Course that covers logistics, first aid, risk management and the fundamentals of Arctic operations. Together, these programs ensure that every leader, regardless of rank, is equipped to keep themselves and their teams safe and mission ready.

Grit over adversity

Grit means resilience, determination and staying strong under pressure. It’s about mental toughness, physical endurance and adapting to challenges. But in the Arctic, grit alone isn’t enough. The extreme cold demands focus on essentials like clothing, nutrition, hydration and shelter — survival basics that can sometimes outweigh even the mission itself. Careful, deliberate actions are key to keeping equipment in working order and avoiding life-threatening malfunctions.

To truly thrive, grit must work together with experience and knowledge. Our leaders carefully assess their team’s skills and morale before extreme cold operations because overlooking these factors can turn routine training into a disaster. Building grit comes from tough, focused training and a strong organizational culture that prepares Soldiers to push forward in even the harshest conditions.

Leadership in action

We need leaders who are sharp, focused and ready to rise to the challenges of the Arctic — traits that set them apart from the rest of the Army. Arctic training builds these unique skills and resilience, preparing leaders for conditions that demand exceptional abilities. Leading a platoon here means solving problems like pulling sleds full of gear over frozen tundra, choosing safe and efficient routes, preventing water from freezing solid and keeping morale high despite the extreme environment. These are the challenges our leaders face every day, demonstrating remarkable determination and resourcefulness.

Squad leaders take on even bigger challenges. They’re on top of cold-weather safety — checking gear to ensure clothing fits right, stays dry and layers properly. They spot circulation issues before they become serious and use buddy systems to help Soldiers keep an eye out for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. These leaders also need a wide range of skills. They learn to make quick decisions based on the environment, build shelters out of snow and set up defenses using the terrain. They know how to manage thermal signatures to avoid detection and keep their squads safe. Commanders rely on squad leaders to deliver these crucial skills, which go beyond what’s expected for their experience level.

Company leaders bring all of this to the next level. They’re Arctic warfare pros, known for creative problem-solving when things don’t go as planned. Every day, they navigate tough terrain and build a sense of teamwork where everyone has each other’s backs. Training sharpens their resource management skills, while real-world practice helps them think on their feet. They carefully manage supplies, like food, fuel and medical kits, and stay in peak physical and mental shape to lead by example. They watch out for signs of cold-related injuries, stress and fatigue in their troops, keeping them safe and ready to work. Even in moments of doubt, they communicate calmly and keep their teams focused. Operating with little support in such an isolated environment takes grit and skill, but these leaders make it happen. It’s not just about surviving here — it’s about succeeding, fighting and thriving in one of the toughest places on Earth.

Arctic innovation

Our leaders and Soldiers bring a wide range of Arctic expertise to every mission, enhancing operations with innovative tools that improve mobility, communication and survival. It’s more than just using snowmobiles or Cold-Weather All-Terrain Vehicles (CATVs). Mastering Arctic mobility means reading the terrain and navigating tough landscapes with precision and skill. Leaders anticipate obstacles and tackle challenges with insight and resilience, setting themselves apart with their ability to adapt to the weather conditions. Alaska provides the ideal proving ground for sharpening these critical abilities, pushing teams to excel.

Collaborating with allies and local communities

Our strength comes from effective collaboration. We regularly train and operate with allies from countries like Mongolia, India, Japan, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Norway. By sharing knowledge, tactics and experiences, these partnerships help us improve risk management. We also value the insights of indigenous communities, which provide vital knowledge about the land and its challenges. These relationships ensure our operations are both respectful and beneficial to the region.

A unique classroom

The Arctic truly serves as a unique classroom, with its severe and unforgiving conditions serving as the ultimate teacher. It can be said that “the Arctic teaches us through repetition and forms us through a process, molding each Soldier into a formidable force ready to face any adversities.” Let's dive deeper into each point:

1. “The Arctic teaches us through repetition …” – The extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain demand continuous practice and adaptation. Repeating tasks and drills in such an environment helps Soldiers build muscle memory and mental resilience, ensuring they're always prepared for the unexpected.
2. "… and forms us through a process …" – The training and development process in the Arctic is structured and systematic. Soldiers are gradually exposed to more demanding conditions, allowing them to build their skills and confidence over time. This process ensures that they are well-prepared for any situation they might face.
3. "… molding each Soldier into a formidable force ready to face any adversities." – The combination of repeated practice and structured training in the Arctic environment creates Soldiers who are not only physically strong, but also mentally tough. They learn to rely on their training and instincts, becoming resilient and capable teams who can handle any challenge thrown their way.

Conclusion

In the frozen theaters of the Arctic, where every mission is a test of precision and perseverance, the Arctic Wolves have proven success isn’t merely a stroke of luck. Rather, success is meticulously crafted through relentless training, innovative adaptation and unwavering collaboration. Here, amid the unyielding cold, every Soldier becomes both student and teacher, learning that the challenging environment refines skill, unity and leadership. From the painstaking attention to every detail in risk management to the real-time ingenuity required to maneuver over treacherous terrain, the Arctic’s challenges forge a unique breed of warrior. These experiences go beyond survival; they create a legacy of resilience and excellence that inspires not only their own ranks, but also every partner who stands with them.

As they navigate a domain where nature is as formidable an adversary as any other, the Arctic Wolves continue to embody the true spirit of leadership. Steadfast in the face of isolation and extreme conditions, they remind us that even when the frost binds, it also shapes — molding warriors who redefine what it means to lead, innovate and triumph in one of the world’s most demanding theaters.

NOTES:

¹The rules of the North are:

• No one is coming to help you. Prepare as if no one is coming.
• Time. Everything takes three to four times longer than in the lower 48.
• Never summer. Winter is always coming, so prepare for it before it gets here.

²Rule of the North No. 4 states things always break at minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. (That rule came from the mind of Maj. Ross Nolan through “Over the Snow Joe,” Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Gaskin.

³The Arctic Through 2035, https://g2webcontent.z2.web.core.usgovcloudapi.net/OEE/The%20Arctic%20Through%202035_20200721.pdf.

Author’s note: The following Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, contributed to this article:

• Maj. Curtis Joslin, executive officer, 1st IBCT, 11th Airborne Division
• Maj. Ross P. Nolan, 11th Airborne Division IG chief of inspections. He previously served as squadron executive officer, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st IBCT, 11th Airborne Division.
• Sgt. Maj. Joseph M. Gaskin, UCJ3 operations sergeant major, U.S. Forces Korea. He previously held the position as command sergeant major, 1st IBCT, 11th Airborne Division.
• 1st Sgt. Justin D. Warner, B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st IBCT, 11th Airborne Division.
• Master Sgt. Justin L. Himes, operations, 1st IBCT, 11th Airborne Division. He previously held first sergeant positions at HHC Brigade, 1st IBCT, 11th Airborne Division, and HHC and C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment.