They proudly serve where the duty is always tough, even in peacetime. They train and are stationed in Alaska where the winter temperatures can drop to a bone-chilling 70 degrees below zero. In addition to their standard military training, they are expert in over-snow travel, cold weather communications, tundra crossing, and numerous other artic disciplines. They have mastered cold weather survival skills that command respect from even battle-hardened veterans. They are the 1st Brigade of the 6th Infantry Division (Light), the Artic Warriors, and they are the only artic infantry brigade in the U.S. Army. They are, as their motto proudly proclaims, "Artic tough -- Combat Ready!"
In winter the soldier is challenged because the whiteness of the countryside emphasizes any item which may not blend in naturally with the surroundings. All outer garments are white to help blend in with the almost all white environment. The snow camouflage white parka is made from a lightweight, white nylon filament, water repellant treated cloth. The parka has a snap fastener front closure, storage pouch, elastic wrists, and drawcords at the waist, hood, and bottom. The snow camouflage white trousers is also made from a lightweight, white nylon filament, water repellant treated cloth. The trousers have front pass-through pockets, cargo pockets with flaps, suspender loops, inside button tabs for attaching a button-in liner, slide fastener openings on legs, a waist drawcord, storage pouch, and elastic cord at leg bottoms. The white parka and trousers are used as an outer camouflage layer in snow terrain, and are not a substitute for the cold weather woodland parka and trousers.
This soldier is also wearing a pair of white "Mickey Mouse Boots." The boots got their name because they look like the shoes worn by the Disney character with the same name. Said one soldier, "They're so big, kind of like the cartoon character." The boots have thick soles and are specially built to keep the feet warm. They are issued in white or black and are rated to 20 degrees below zero. |
