4th Combat Aviation Brigade Takes on the Norwegian Foot March
In the predawn hours at Fort Carson, Soldiers of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade (4th CAB), 4th Infantry Division, laced up their boots, tightened their rucks, and prepared for a grueling test of endurance, the Norwegian Foot March. This challenge, originally designed by the Norwegian military in 1915, has become a respected event in the U.S. Army, cultivating Soldier readiness, mental toughness, and unit cohesion.
The Norwegian Foot March requires Soldiers to complete an 18.6 mile ruck march within a strict time limit while carrying a 25 pound pack on their backs. Soldiers who finish within the designated time earn the coveted Norwegian Foot March Badge, a symbol of endurance and readiness. For the Soldiers of the 4th CAB, participation in this event is more than just earning a badge, it’s a display of their commitment to excellence.
“It isn't easy to go that far of a distance with any weight on their packs,” stated 1st Lt. Tyler Gross, the officer in charge of this event and a maintenance control officer assigned to the 4th CAB. “The Army standard of 12 miles with a 45 pound ruck is already challenging for most Soldiers in the Army and so being able to go 18.6 miles, whether or not the Soldiers made the time or not, is an accomplishment on its own.”
For aviation units like the 4th CAB, which provide medevac, air assault, and reconnaissance support, physical endurance and mental fortitude are just as critical to mission success as technical expertise. Soldiers must be prepared to operate under extremely adverse conditions, at times carrying heavy loads over long distances. The Norwegian Foot March reinforces these essential capabilities, ensuring Soldiers are conditioned for the demands of combat operations.
Beyond individual resilience, this event cultivates teamwork and camaraderie. Soldiers march together, driving each other through exhaustion and discomfort, while embracing the Army’s warrior ethos. This experience strengthens bonds within the unit, reinforcing trust and cohesion, which are key elements of mission success.
“There are times where as Soldiers down range, we may have to ruck for several miles to reach certain destinations, and it’s events like this that allows us to test our capabilities of working together to plan and execute the event,” stated 1st Lt. Steven Dykstra, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Officer assigned to the 4th CAB and a participant in this event.
As the last Soldiers cross the finish line, feeling exhausted yet accomplished, the significance of the challenge is clear. The Norwegian Foot March is more than a test of physical endurance, it is a rite of passage that links today’s warfighters to a long tradition of military excellence. For the 4th CAB, it is yet another way to ensure their Soldiers remain ready, resilient, and relentless in the face of any challenge ahead.
| Date Taken: | 02.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2025 13:54 |
| Story ID: | 492550 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Hometown: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade Takes on the Norwegian Foot March, by SPC Doniel Kennedy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
