The EMMOE (Military School of Mountain and Special Operations) awards the Mountain and Special Operations diplomas for the 2024–2025 course

The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army inspecting the troops

The parade ground of the “San Bernardo” barracks in Jaca (Huesca) hosted the diploma ceremony on July 5th for the 80th Mountain Course and the 69th Special Operations Course, corresponding to the 2024–2025 academic year. The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army, Lieutenant General Alejandro Escámez Fernández—a former graduate of the Special Operations Course—presided over the ceremony, which was organized by the EMMOE.

This year, a total of 23 Army personnel from the Spanish Army earned the Mountain Course diploma, along with one officer from the Argentine Army and another from the Chilean Army. As for the Special Operations Course, 30 students received their diplomas, including officers and NCOs from the Spanish Army and Navy, as well as one officer from the Chilean Army.

During the ceremony, the EMMOE Award was presented to the Support Unit of the Discontinuous Base “Oroel” (Jaca, Huesca), in recognition of its ongoing support for the school's activities—both at the “San Bernardo” compound and at the mountain shelters in Candanchú, Cerler, and La Mina, as well as at the “Las Batiellas” Maneuver and Firing Range.

A tribute was also paid to the alumni who graduated 30 years ago, from the 50th Mountain Course and the 39th Special Operations Course, through the symbolic presentation of a ceremonial staff representing maturity, wisdom, and authority. During the ceremony, special remembrance was given to two fallen graduates: Commander Baró and Lieutenant Recalde.

In his speech, the director of the EMMOE, Colonel Carlos Núñez-Romero, highlighted the prestige of these courses within the Armed Forces and emphasized the importance of the support provided by other units and institutions for their development.

Other Courses

During the 2024–2025 academic year, the EMMOE also conducted various training and professional development activities, including the 5th Basic Mountain Course—in collaboration with the Mountain Troops Command—and the 20th Qualification Course for basic functions in special operations units, alongside the Special Operations Command. Both courses were aimed at enlisted personnel of the Spanish Army.

Moment of the parade