An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Articles
News | April 26, 2024

Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School

By Sgt. Denis Nunez

SAO JOAO DEL REI, MG, BRAZIL  –  

Two Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers took part in the Brazilian Basic Mountaineering Course in April. Sgt. 1st Class David Girr and Staff Sgt. Cyran Willis successfully graduated from the challenging program held in Sao Joao Del Rei, Brazil.

The pair were invited to participate in the course as part of a broader mountain operations exchange program with the U.S. Army and the Brazilian Army. This initiative aims to enhance expertise in mountain warfare tactics and foster international camaraderie. Throughout their training, Girr and Willis worked closely with the 11th Mountain Infantry Battalion of the Brazilian Army.

“This experience has not only honed our technical skills,” said Girr, “but it has also taught us about the terrain here in Brazil offers.”

The Brazilian Basic Mountaineering Course is renowned for its rigorous training standards, designed to equip soldiers with the skills necessary to operate safely and effectively in mountainous environments. The course covers a variety of essential topics, including rock climbing, rappelling, and navigation, all tailored to the unique characteristics of Brazil’s topography.

“I'm so incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunities the Vermont National Guard provides,” said Girr. “From training with the Brazilians in South America to working with NATO forces in Kosovo and Eastern Europe, I can confidently say this is the best job I've ever had.”

As part of the ongoing exchange, the U.S. Army looks forward to hosting soldiers from the Brazilian Army at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School in Vermont. The Vermont National Guard and U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School have longstanding relationships with multiple international mountaineering groups and hosted the 2023 International Association of Military Schools.

The successful completion of the mountaineering course by Girr and Willis marks a significant milestone in strengthening the U.S.-Brazil military mountainous education partnership, paving the way for further cooperative ventures that benefit both armed forces.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard - April 2025

The above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. Read the transcript of MG Gregory Knight's full State of the Guard here.

Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
A Security Forces Airman responds to a simulated attack during a field training exercise at Ft. William Henry Harrison, Helena, Mont., June 2, 2025. Security Forces Squadrons from Arizona and Pennsylvania traveled to the Fort for a week of field training. The field instruction consisted of patrol movements, base security, key leader engagements, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives detection response, and simulated attacks from opposition forces.
Arizona and Pennsylvania Air Guards Train Together in Montana
By Tech. Sgt. Jayson Burns, | June 6, 2025
FORT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, Mont. – More than 100 security forces Airmen from Arizona and Pennsylvania conducted five days of joint annual training in Helena, Montana, June 2-6.The defenders from the 161st Air Refueling...
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Maritza Garcia, 154th Medical Group Detachment 1 medic and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instructor, evaluates Armed Forces of the Philippines students during a medical field training exercise May 29, 2025, at Camp O’Donnell, Philippines. The training emphasized rapid response and effective medical treatment in high-pressure environments.
Hawaii Guard, Philippine Armed Forces Unite for Medical Exchange
By Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier, | June 6, 2025
CAMP O’DONNELL, Philippines - Hawaii National Guard medical professionals completed their fourth annual Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) exchange with partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp...
Service members from the Maine National Guard, Vermont National Guard, Armed Forces of Montenegro, and the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia pose for a group photo before beginning a cyber training exercise during Immediate Response 25 at Golubovci Air Base, Montenegro, June 2, 2025. The cyber exercise was developed and facilitated as a combined effort between the Maine National Guard and the Armed Forces of Montenegro through the State Partnership Program (SPP). The Vermont National Guard and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, SPP partners since 1993, also participated in the exercise.
Guardsmen, Montenegro, North Macedonia Strengthen Cyber Capabilities at Immediate Response 25
By 2nd Lt. Paige Bodine and David Kennedy, | June 6, 2025
PODGORICA, Montenegro — Nearly three years after a sweeping cyberattack disrupted Montenegro’s government networks, the country has taken a powerful step forward in strengthening its digital defenses by hosting its largest...
More