The 19th annual University of Southern Indiana ROTC Norwegian Foot March, an intense mental and physical challenge, sponsored by the USI Student Veteran Association, will take participants 18.6 miles through the rolling hills of Evansville’s west side on October 21. Carrying a 25-pound rucksack, participants will begin and end on the USI campus, working to make it back to the finish line in roughly under four and a half hours.
ROTC cadets, soldiers and veterans, as well as the public, can register individually or as part of a four-member team. Registration can be completed online or by calling USI Outreach and Engagement at 812-464-1989. Early registration is recommended. Registration cost is $25 for ROTC cadets from any school and $45 for others. Registration will close on October 15 or when the event capacity has reached 400.
Proceeds from the event enhance the training of students in the USI ROTC Program. Funds cover training, travel, team development and additional equipment costs. A canned food drive will also be conducted in conjunction with the March. Participants are encouraged to use non-perishable food items as their required weight and donate them upon event completion. Food items will be donated to local food banks.
Those who complete the March within set guidelines will receive a Norwegian Foot March certificate and pin, which can be worn on service uniforms. The Norwegian Foot March is a boot camp tradition for Norwegian soldiers, supported by Dr. Nils Johansen, retired Norwegian Artillery Reserve Officer, retired USI University Division Advisor and Adjunct Instructor of Geology and Physics. Additional support is provided by USI faculty and students of Eagle Company of Wabash Battalion Army ROTC.
