Photo By 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond | Army National Guard Soldiers participate in a Norwegian Foot March at the Wendell H....... read more read more
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GREENVILLE, Ky. – More than 200 National Guard Soldiers, along with several ROTC cadets from the University of Kentucky, took on the Norwegian Foot March during a recent event hosted by the 206th Engineer Battalion, with 90 of them successfully completing the rigorous 18.6-mile course at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center May 12.
The Norwegian Foot March, a test of physical and mental resilience, requires participants to carry a 25-pound rucksack while completing the route within a set time standard based on age and gender. Originally developed by the Norwegian military in 1915, the march is now a globally recognized challenge and a prestigious foreign badge that U.S. Service members can earn.
This year’s event saw representation from every major Kentucky Army National Guard command, as well as 16 Soldiers from outside units and states including Tennessee and Illinois.
Army Capt. Micheal Towery, an instructor in the University of Kentucky’s ROTC program, was the first Soldier to complete the march. He said his motivation stemmed from his own cadets.
“I was initially motivated by my cadets who organized their own teams and chatted with interested cadets who wanted to participate,” he said. “These cadets are taking their own time, on college summer break, and volunteering to ruck 18.6 miles, so of course, I had to join in on the fun.”
Towery also emphasized the deeper meaning behind earning the badge.
“Earning the Norwegian Foot March badge shows resilience, discipline and a personal dedication to excellence — all of which are crucial for any Soldier, not just officers,” he said. “For me personally, it represents my drive to test physical and mental boundaries, establishing a level of tenacity that I want to emulate and inspire in others.”
As part of the verification process, the 206th Engineer Battalion will submit completion results to the Royal Norwegian Consulate. Once confirmed, Soldiers who met the requirements will receive official certification. The Norwegian Foot March Badge is authorized for wear on the Army uniform in accordance with applicable regulations.
Finishing second behind Towery was 2nd Lt. Darian Huff with the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company. Huff was the fastest Kentucky Guardsmen in the march, followed by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy King with the 577th Sapper Company.
Huff said he had a lot of fun preparing for and participating in the foot march. After wrestling in high school, joining the Army National Guard provided Huff the direction for how to train and what to train for. He believes Soldiers should work to get better in any way they can.
“I really like challenging myself. The Army gives you numerous ways to push yourself, to train your mental and physical toughness,” said Huff. “But if you’re running this just to get the badge, your mindset isn’t 100 percent where it could be. You have to embrace the process to better yourself and find growth. That’s the mindset I’ll share with my Soldiers.”
The event reinforced a sense of camaraderie, perseverance and leadership through example, highlighting the National Guard’s commitment to individual excellence and international military cooperation.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2025 13:55 |
| Story ID: | 498509 |
| Location: | GREENVILLE, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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