Army Official Visits Vermont Mountain Warfare School

Michael Obadal, the Army's second-highest-ranking official, toured the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military

Wooded Vermont mountain slope with a rocky ridgeline, birch and spruce trees, and a narrow switchback trail under cold morning light. — Army Vice Chief Michael Obadal toured the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont, meeting senior leaders and soldiers during the visit. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Michael Obadal, the second-highest-ranking official in the U.S. Department of the Army, visited the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont. The school trains soldiers for combat in any terrain, and the Vermont National Guard reported that Obadal met with senior leadership and regular service members during the visit.

Why it matters

The visit places senior Army leadership at a school focused on preparing soldiers for combat across varied terrain, which is relevant to readers in Vermont where the training facility is located. Obadal's background in aviation and defense technology reflects the range of skills the Army seeks in its leadership.

Obadal has more than 3,000 hours of experience flying aircraft and has served in the Army since 1996. The visit was reported by the Vermont National Guard, and the source does not describe any policy decisions or outcomes.

The players

Michael Obadal

Obadal is the second-highest-ranking official in the U.S. Department of the Army, with prior service in Kuwait and Korea and experience flying aircraft.

Army Mountain Warfare School

The school in Jericho, Vermont trains soldiers for combat in any terrain and is part of the U.S. Army's training system.

The details

During the visit, Obadal met with senior leadership and regular service members at the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho. Obadal joined the Army in 1996, has served in Kuwait, Korea, and the United States, and has helped develop computer programs involved in defense technology.

1996: Obadal joins the U.S. Army.
September 2025: Obadal begins his current role as the Army's second-highest-ranking official.
November 2026: Obadal visits the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont.

Seasonal Patterns

The Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho is a long-standing Vermont training site for soldiers preparing for cold-weather and mountainous operations. The visit fits a pattern of senior Army officials touring specialized training institutions to observe readiness.

Vermont residents interested in the Army Mountain Warfare School can follow Vermont National Guard reporting for updates on training activities. The source does not list any public events or actions tied to the visit.

The takeaway

Senior military leaders often visit specialized training sites to see readiness firsthand, and this visit to Jericho offers a view into how the Army prepares soldiers for demanding terrain.