New badge for US Army mountaineers

The US ARMY has announced a new heraldic device for Soldiers who successfully graduate from the Army Mountain Warfare School (AMWS), located in the mountains of Jericho, Vermont at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site (CEATS). 

Graduates of the two-week Basic Military Mountaineer Course (BMMC) earn the individual skill qualification of "Military Mountaineer" and the authorization to wear the "Mountaineer" badge on their uniforms. 

The new badge design features a ram's head in side-profile with golden horns over a crossed M1 bayonet and ice axe. The inclusion of the M1 bayonet is no doubt an homage to the history of the WWII legacy of the 10th Mountain Division and the 1st Special Service Force.

It replaces the previous version which was often derisively referred to as "The Princess Leia Badge", for obvious reasons.

In this video, an instructor from the AMWS explains the gear that a Mountain Soldier typically carries on operations.