Revolution in Military Affairs Climb to Glory! Mountain Warfare and the US Army's 10th Mountain Division
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Nov 13, 2025 Lance Blythe, a command historian at NORAD and an expert in mountain warfare, shares his insights on the 10th Mountain Division. He discusses the unique challenges of mountain warfare and contrasts it with mountain operations, emphasizing the need for specialized skills and acclimatization. Blythe reveals the historical pushback against forming the 10th Mountain, the evolution of military doctrine, and how modern initiatives aim to revive alpine skills. He also addresses why Afghanistan didn’t spur a demand for mountain troops and the importance of maintaining rapid training capabilities.
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What 'Fighting The Mountain' Really Means
- Fighting the mountain means overcoming terrain's inhibiting effects like steepness, weather, and altitude.
- Militaries must ensure units can survive and remain mobile in mountain environments to operate effectively.
First-Day Altitude Shock At Fort Carson
- Tom recalled running at Fort Carson and immediately vomiting due to high elevation and thin air.
- He used the experience to illustrate how elevation causes immediate, real performance degradation.
Time In Terrain Trumps Quick Fixes
- Mountain soldiers and units cannot be rushed into capability; time in terrain is essential for individuals and staffs.
- Whole-unit experience across leaders, medical, and logistics made 10th Mountain effective in WWII.
