A voluntary ruck march is taking the Army by storm. There has been thousands of Soldiers around the world taking part in a ruck march called the Royal Danish Air Force Flyver March.
Fort Jackson is no different.
Participants from all across South Carolina came out to put on at least a 25-pound ruck and walk 20 kilometers in an untimed event, Aug. 29.
The march was officially established by the Royal Danish Air Force in 2021 as an annual ruck march open to military and military support civilian personnel, with medals awarded for completion.
This year unlike other years’ marches Soldiers will be allowed to wear the medal for completing it, said Capt. Thomas Graybeal, executive officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.
In March, the ribbon was authorized for wear on the Army uniform.
That is a big deal because “there might not be a lot of opportunities for badges here,” Graybeal said.
It wasn’t just Soldiers from Fort Jackson who participated as Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets, airmen, civilians, and even Coast Guardsmen strapped on rucks to give it a go.
“Soldiers really enjoy having an opportunity doing something that is not mandatory,” Graybeal said. “This event is entirely voluntary to participate.”
Jack Caylouny and Ganny Ruebenacker, cadets from Clemson University, were excited to have completed the march.
“It was a cool opportunity through our school,” Caylouny said. “I thought it would be really cool to do something hard with my boys – coming out here and doing the best I can.”
“I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity,” Ruebenacker said. “It was an experience.”
The two cadets are used to 12 kilometer ruck marches as they are required to them regularly at school. Caylouny said he “loves” ruck marches and the adrenaline he gets once its completed.
“If you are not going uphill and not challenging yourself you are not getting better,” Caylouny said.