The heavy category will carry a 35 lb rucksack. Cadets will be challenged both mentally and physically. Completion of the march requires determination, endurance, perseverance, and hard physical training. O nly the toughest and strongest cadets can participate in this event. Training is conducted through the ROTC department four days a week.
Participants also train several miles on their own over the weekend.
History O n 9 April 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese Forces. They were marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Over 20,000 soldiers died, and those who survived faced the hardships of a POW camp. The New Mexico State University Army ROTC began sponsoring the Bataan Memorial Death March in 1989, an event which has grown from about 100 to 3000 marchers.