Photo By Ardian Nrecaj | More than 500 soldiers from 22 different nations participate in Danish Contingent...... read more read more
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CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, Kosovo - More than 500 soldiers from 22 different nations gathered during a sunny day at Camp Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny (CMLT), Kosovo to participate on the Danish Contingent (DANCON) march, April 26.
Even though the march was scheduled to kick off at 9 a.m. soldiers started gathering as early as 6 a.m. to sign in for the march. Soldiers had a chance to march 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) and 50 kilometers (31.2 miles) with a minimum of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) on their backs.
For U.S. Army Spc. Shane Dirksen, a battle desk radio transmission operator with Multinational Battle Group-East, and a native of San Jose, California, this was the second DANCON, as he did his first 25 kilometer march in January.
“This is the second time doing the DANCON but it’s the first time going for 50 kilometers,” said Dirksen.
Dirksen explained that the 50 kilometer march was tough for him, but the first march prepared him on what to expect during the second one.
“The 25 kilometer was really challenging for me, because I was not really prepared for it,” said Dirksen. “But it really helped me with the 50 kilometer march.”
Dirksen had advice for everyone planning to do the DANCON march in the future.
“Make sure you eat breakfast,” he said. “My biggest mistake from the first march was not eating breakfast and I needed more carbohydrates the night before. It also helped having a lot of snacks along the way, taking the right breaks and drinking plenty of water made a huge difference.”
Dirksen added that the he would do the march again if he had the opportunity.
“It was a very good experience, and it was also cool meeting all of the soldiers from different nations and getting to know a lot of people,” said Dirksen. “Next time I will compete for a better time.”
Danish army Sgt. 1st Class Uffe König, CMLT Force Protection chief of guards, explained the reason the Danish army conducts the march.
“It is a charity for the Danish veterans and their children, and of course for bonding among different nations,” said König. “We conduct this march approximately four times a year. We are only here [in Kosovo] for three months, so every three months there is a new team preparing the march.”
“I think it went pretty well, people are happy and have sore feet so it was a success,” said König.
Austrian army Capt. Christian Rantfl came in first place for the 25 kilometer march.
“It was a pretty tough competition, but I came in first and all the hard training paid off,” said Rantfl. “This is my third competition but it is my first time on the podium.”
Rantfl explained that the march was a challenge to him and a good way to stay fit.
“My legs are pretty sore, but we had beautiful weather and that made it better,” added Rantfl. “It was an awesome time and I feel happy.”
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2015 12:41 |
| Story ID: | 161368 |
| Location: | CAMP MARéCHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, ZZ |
| Hometown: | SAN JOSE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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