Cadets, soldiers, and civilians are invited to participate in USI’s12th Annual Norwegian Foot March at 8 a.m., Saturday, November 2. With a start and end point at USI, the 18.6-mile foot march will require participants to march on a trail that covers a variety of terrain while dressed in military attire and carrying a 25-pound rucksack and frame.
Sponsored by Dr. Nils Johansen, retired Norwegian Artillery Reserve Officer and USI University Division advisor, the Norwegian Foot March is a boot camp tradition for Norwegian soldiers.
“When the USI ROTC (Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program began in 2001, I knew I wanted to help bring something special to the program,” said Johansen, who holds a Norwegian Foot March badge in gold. “The Norwegian Foot March is a great challenge for cadets and is a typical boot camp activity for Norwegian soldiers.”
Cadets and soldiers who complete the foot march in an allotted amount of time will be awarded a certificate and the bronze badge for finishing, a silver badge for finishing four marches, and a gold badge for completing eight marches. Participants may register individually or as part of a four-member team.
Civilians who wish to participate must provide their own uniform, rucksack, frame, and boot-style foot wear. Tennis shoes are not allowed. Those who complete the march within the set guidelines in the civilian category will receive a Norwegian Foot March certificate.
More than 200 individuals are expected to participate in the event.
Standards and additional event details are available online.
Registration for the Norwegian Foot March is $30 of which a portion will benefit theUSI ROTC program. Registrations can be completed online through Friday, October 18 or by contacting USI’s Division of Outreach and Engagement at 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600.
For more information, contact Major Chris Dalrymple, commanding officer and assistant professor of military science for USI ROTC, at 812/461-5304 orcmdalrympl@usi.edu.
