Staff Sergeant Rafael Fernando da Silva, of the Brazilian Army, was one of the 18 soldiers who managed to conclude the 77th Superior Mountain Course at the Escuela Militar de Montaña y Operaciones Especiales, in Spain, on July 9. The course started with 28 students, 10 of whom fell by the wayside.
The Superior Mountain Course lasts approximately 11 months, structured in three phases: basic, specific and application. The main objectives were: to survive and get around in the mountains during summer and winter; to apply climbing and skiing techniques; to perform emergency aid; tactical planning; to carry out climbing and skiing instructions; and to perform mountain rescue.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Army General Amador Enseñat y Berea, Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army, and was attended by local authorities and the Defense Attaché of the Brazilian Army in Spain.
The Escuela Militar de Montaña y Operaciones Especiales has the mission of advising the command in the specialization and maintenance of the staff, in the study and experimentation of employment procedures of the units and their mountain and special operations means.
Source: Aditância de Defesa e do Exército na Espanha