The long walk to Marsjmerket: Soldiers find strength, resilience in 18+-mile ruck march

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Chalk 5 expanded quickly in numbers as the morning darkness of Sept. 19 hid long lines of Soldiers with rucksacks waiting to get a number.

A small team of 100th Training Division organizers had anticipated that the group of unregistered ruck marchers would likely be their largest, so they planned for the walk-ons to start last in the individually timed 18.6-mile Norwegian Foot March. Soldiers, Civilians and family members standing at the front of each line signed in or registered and weighed their rucksacks, which had to be a minimum of 25 pounds.

“I’m so grateful that we were able to host this event – especially as Reservists,” said Capt. Raquel Quinones-Ubarri, the event coordinator. “We don’t always get a lot of opportunities like this, unless we’re on orders or [Active Guard Reserve], or possibly deployed. So, it was nice to see our Soldiers have that opportunity.”

Quinones-Ubarri’s unit had sponsored the German Armed Forces Badge competition last year. They decided this year to sponsor the Norwegian Military Marching Badge, or Marsjmerket, to expand their opportunities.

“Our [Headquarters and Headquarters Company] commander, Capt. Ryan Aquino, reached out to the Norwegian Consulate and built the dialogue we would need to get the approval,” said Quinones-Ubarri. “Once that was approved, we coordinated with Range Operations and Garrison to finalize the dates and route.”

Quinones-Ubarri said the route was one of the easier tasks; they used the same route another Fort Knox unit had used in a previous Norwegian foot march – a route that included a grueling ascent up the infamous Misery Hill near the end.

The initial plan was to keep the foot march internal to 100th personnel, but interest grew, so organizers decided to open it up to other units and organizations on post.

“I’m grateful for that because it ended up being a great event,” said Quinones-Ubarri. “I’m happy to see that people from the National Guard, Reserves and active duty were able to participate together.”

As a magnificent sunrise broke across the trees, some of the fastest marchers from Chalk 1 were headed back to the start – the sun to their backs. Some encouraged those still facing the sun to keep moving.

About 130 people started the foot march. Quinones-Ubarri said of the 97 who finished, 57 earned the badge. Because the march is timed, not everyone who finishes earns a badge, and their starting chalk order had no bearing on their overall time.

Among the 57 finishers, first place in male and female categories respectively went to Staff Sgt. Caleb Sooter and Sgt. Yvonne Heuberger. Three male Soldiers tied for second place: Spc. Devin Lyons, Staff Sgt. Luke Barrow and Maj. Peter Onao. Second place among the females went to 1st Lt. Katherine Kitzmiller. Third place went to Capt. Anthony Washko and Capt. Gabrielle Purnell.

As many as 36 units and organizations were represented.

“I am so incredibly proud of everyone who came out for this,” said Quinones-Ubarri. “It brings me joy to see them motivate each other. Many times, marchers would finish and then turn around and help others run across the finish line.”

Quinones-Ubarri said the next step is for them to receive the final results and validation of the scores from the Norwegian Consulate. The number of times Soldiers have completed the Norwegian foot march and earned a badge will determine whether they receive a bronze, silver or gold.

The badge represents more than just an accomplishment to the competitors, said Quinones-Ubarri.

“The foot march was first held in 1915, and its intent was to ensure that the Norwegian troops could march long distances with their equipment and weapons and still be ready to fight,” said Quinones-Ubarri. “That mentality continues to this day. In the United States it means that we continue to train and prepare ourselves when we get the call to serve or fight.”

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