Syracuse Sun

A student from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs recently returned from participating in a unique military training exercise in the Arctic. Connor McNeil, a member of the Vermont Army National Guard, was involved in Guerrier Nordique (Nordic Warrior) 25, alongside troops from various U.S. military units as well as the Canadian Arctic Response Company Group.

For three weeks in March, these soldiers faced the harsh Arctic conditions, which included temperatures as low as -25°F, while conducting missions such as skiing over 20 miles across frozen Lake Saint-Jean, running recon missions, and executing mock platoon attacks. “Despite the conditions, the training was amazing. We were able to interact with our Canadian counterparts who were delighted to teach us the institutional knowledge they had gained from decades of training in these harsh environments,” says McNeil.

McNeil believes that this training exercise provided valuable experience that complements his academic studies, which began in August 2024. He notes, “As a byproduct of these changes, the demand for highly capable response groups from Arctic stakeholder nations will also increase.” McNeil emphasizes the importance of multinational military training exercises, saying they offer opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing regarding Arctic preservation and security.

He is looking to the future, expressing particular interest in the Asia-Pacific region and pursuing a career in international trade and finance, leveraging military connections to foster partnerships between the U.S. and foreign nations. McNeil states, “I know Maxwell is the launching platform for these aspirations and I know I made the right choice by coming to Syracuse.”