An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

U.S. Southern Command

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  About    -  About Main             
  -  Area of Responsibility             
  -  Leadership             
  -  SOUTHCOM Components and Units             
  -  History             
  -  SOUTHCOM Inspector General 
-  Commander's Priorities    -  Commander's Priorities Main             
  -  Strengthen Partnerships      -  Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative (TMPI) 
  -  Counter Threats             
  -  Build Our Team 
-  Media    -  Media Main             
  -  News             
  -  Press Releases             
  -  Photos             
  -  Videos             
  -  Speeches | Transcripts             
  -  Special Coverage             
  -  SOUTHCOM Podcast 
-  USAG-M / Military-Family Services    -  U.S. Army Garrison-Miami      -  Equal Employment Opportunity Office 
  -  Overview of Services at SOUTHCOM             
  -  About the SOUTHCOM Installation and Local Community             
  -  Miami Family and MWR      -  Army Community Services             
    -  Child, Youth and School Services             
    -  Leisure Travel Services             
    -  Fitness Center 
  -  Visiting SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Health Clinic SOUTHCOM             
  -  Hurricane Preparedness Info             
  -  Conference Center of the Americas             
  -  Theater Clearance Info             
  -  SOUTHCOM Chaplain             
  -  TEAM SOUTHCOM - Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command             
  -  Logistics Readiness Center-Miami             
  -  Public Notice – Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a Military Housing Development             
  -  SHARP (SAPR) 
-  Newcomers    -  Newcomers Main             
  -  Sponsor Request             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Newcomers             
  -  Navy Newcomers             
  -  Air Force Newcomers             
  -  Marine Corps Newcomers             
  -  Coast Guard Newcomers             
  -  Reserve Newcomers             
  -  Civilian Newcomers             
  -  Contractor Newcomers             
  -  Family Member Newcomers             
  -  Newcomers to Overseas Locations in SOUTHCOM 
-  Work With Us    -  Employment | Careers             
  -  Public / Private Cooperation             
  -  Operational Contract Support             
  -  SOUTHCOM Industry Engagement 
-  FOIA    -  FOIA Main             
  -  How to file A FOIA Request             
  -  FOIA Fees and Exemptions             
  -  Your FOIA Rights             
  -  ​FOIA Reading Room 
-  Contact    -  Contact SOUTHCOM             
  -  Community Requests             
  -  FAQ             
  -  Contact SOUTHCOM Inspector General             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM 

HomeMediaNews

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# SOUTHCOM and SOCSOUTH team up for Norwegian-style ruck march in South Florida

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2021) – More than 100 military and civilian members from U.S. Southern Command and Special Operations Command South participated in the famed “Norwegian Foot March,” a grueling physical test that includes carrying a 25-pound ruck sack over an 18.6 mile (30 km) distance. 

The event began shortly after 1 a.m. with marchers beginning the trek around the Homestead Air Reserve Base runway. In near pitch-black conditions with 90 percent humidity, safety and hydration were key concerns. Volunteers from SOUTHCOM, SOCSOUTH and the USO were on hand to provide water and rides back to the starting point for anyone who needed to withdraw. 

The Norwegian Foot march was first held in 1915 as a test of marching endurance of soldiers in the Norwegian military. Those who completed the 30 km distance within 4 hours, 30 minutes earned the “Marsjmerket,” or the Norwegian Armed Forces Marching Badge. Originally, a strategic goal of the Norwegian foot march was to be able to move large units of troops over a great distance swiftly and in a manner that enabled them to be combat ready, even after the march. 

In addition to SOUTHCOM and SOCSOUTH, members participated from the Air Force Reserve, Florida National Guard, Army Recruiting Command and the Coast Guard from as far away as Los Angeles, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the more than 100 participants who attempted the challenge, 56 finished, and 26 qualified for the Norwegian Armed Forces Marching Badge. 

While personally rewarding for the participants, the march proved to have an even greater community impact. Event organizers collected 2,500 pounds of non-perishable food to help support service members, veterans and their families in the South Florida area.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

Norwegian Foot MarchsouthcomSOCSOUTH