Rucking and Rocking: KFOR 24 participates in DANCON March

Photo By Sgt. Jarel Chugg | The route for the 20-kilometer DANCON March took the participating soldiers through villages and hilly terrain. The DANCON March has been held since 1972 by Danish soldiers who are abroad on missions and serves to keep them motivated. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Jarel Chugg, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)  

CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, KOSOVO

04.18.2018

Story by Spc. Jarel Chugg 

KFOR Regional Command East

CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, Kosovo — Clear skies, warm weather, and a Danish tradition kept Kosovo Force (KFOR) Soldiers busy and engaged with their NATO counterparts during a DANCON March on April 14-15.

The DANCON (short for Danish Contingent) March tradition started in Cyprus in 1972 and quickly picked up and is now held wherever the Danish are on a mission abroad.

KFOR is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force which has been contributing to freedom of movement and a safe-and-secure environment in Kosovo since 1999. The DANCON served to give KFOR Soldiers a morale boost.

Soldiers had the option to participate in a heavy- or light-weight category ruck march with the option to march one day or two days back-to-back. The march was 20 kilometers both days over steep terrain. The participating Soldiers tested their strength and socialized with other Soldiers from different countries serving in the KFOR mission. Soldiers paid a fee to participate.

“It’s a social event, mostly,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lars Stendevan, Chief of Guard, from the Danish Military. “All the proceeds will go towards local and Danish charities.The Danish charity is always some sort of veteran charity. Half (of proceeds) will go towards that, and some sort of local charity. This year we are giving money to a local rock (music) school in Mitrovica, Kosovo, which has an objective to mingle the Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians in mixed bands.”

The first Soldier finished the 20-kilometer ruck march within two hours.

“This is an opportunity for all the partners across Kosovo to come together and do something that shows solidarity, unity, and acts as a morale improvement event,” said Maj. Isaac Howard, the deputy commander of 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Howard was the winner of the first day’s march. His unit serves as Multi-National Battle Group - East's Forward Command Post and is the battle group's main maneuver element.

When asked why he pushed himself so hard, Howard replied, “I was just striving to be the best.”

He also commented that he was ready to do it again the following day.

Over 850 participants marched on the first day, while 290 participated the following day. Participants earned the Kosovo DANCON March Medal upon completion.

• Date Taken: 04.18.2018
• Date Posted: 04.21.2018 06:33
• Story ID: 273504
• Location: CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, ZZ