Mountain Competence Centre
Historical Overview
1967 - Foundation of the "Central Military Mountain School" (ZGKS)

The main purpose of this training centre was to provide a standardized
training on mountain duties to all members of the "Gebirgsarmeekorps 3",
which was founded in 1962. Already in May 1967, this Mountain School
organised the 2nd Military Meeting of Alpine Countries
(today: International Meeting of Military Mountain Schools).

1968-1980 - Avalanche Courses

Thanks to intensive improvements during the 1970s the Military Mountain
School develops to a centre of military mountain training courses -
acknowledged in Switzerland as well as abroad. During that time,
educational courses for avalanche specialists of the army are introduced -
accessible to both Swiss and foreign officers.



1989 - Order of the Upper House of Swiss Parliament

The Upper House of Swiss Parliament has enacted an order to regulate
aspects of training for military mountaineers. There are two levels that
need to be distinguished: level 1 and level 2. The majority of the above
mentioned "Gebirgsarmeekorps 3" is trained on level 1 basis. Only a part
of that corps as well as selected specialists are educated at level 2.
Basic elements of both levels are:
Level 1 - introductory courses on summer and winter techniques with the
aim to train all participants how to live and to survive in mountainous
environment, how to carry out military operations and to teach all
participants medical skills.
Level 2 - progressive courses to enable the participants to plan
operations in a mountainous and cold weather environment. Furthermore
all participants are trained in leadership and for deployment as
mountain instructors. In summary, the range of services offered by the
ZGKS covers training courses for officers of the "Gebirgsarmeekorps 3",
for avalanche specialists and for non-commissioned officers as well as
international avalanche courses for members of foreign armed forces.