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Texas State Guard Demonstrates Endurance in Annual Norwegian Foot March

On March 16, 2024, the Texas State Guard’s (State Defense Force) 2nd Brigade showcased their endurance and commitment during the Norwegian Foot March at Long Acres Ranch, Richmond, Texas. This challenging military event, inspired by the Norwegian Defense University College of the Norwegian Armed Forces, required participants to complete a grueling 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) trek while carrying a rucksack weighing at least 25 pounds, all within specific time frames based on age and gender. Organized by the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, the march saw comprehensive support from 1st Battalion medical staff alongside logistics personnel from various battalions and headquarters. Remarkably, six individuals, including Cpl. Luke Hinton, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Illich, 2nd Lts. Darren Dietzmann, Lucas Meier, 1st Lt. Stacy Jones, and civilian David Adlis, received the Norwegian Foot March Badge Certificate for their exceptional performance.

The event not only tested physical capabilities but also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the participants. The spirit of mutual support and encouragement was palpable, as highlighted by 1st Lt. Peter Brandon, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the operation, who emphasized the event’s role in building character, strength, and unity through teamwork. This annual endeavor promises to strengthen the morale and physical fitness of the Texas State Guard, illustrating their dedication to duty, honor, and the well-being of their members.

Fifty members of 2nd Brigade, Texas State Guard, marched and jogged the Norwegian Foot March, a military endurance test organized by the Norwegian Defense University College of the Norwegian Armed Forces, which is comprised of a 30 kilometer (18.6-mile) long route, carrying a rucksack of at least 25 lbs while in uniform within a certain time frame, at Long Acres Ranch, Richmond, Texas, March 16, 2024. The event was hosted by 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, and supported by 1st Battalion medical staff as well general support and logistics personnel from each battalion as well as headquarters. A timed event, qualifiers performed within limits according to age and gender, from 4 hours and 30 minutes to 6 hours. Lt. Col. Frazier, Commander, 3rd Battalion, presented the Norwegian Foot March Badge Certificate to six participants: Cpl. Luke Hinton, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Illich, 2nd Lts. Darren Dietzmann and Lucas Meier, 1st Lt. Stacy Jones and David Adlis, a civilian, for meeting or exceeding the standards. Frazier presented the Texas State Guard Exemplary Service Medal to Pvt. Claudia Lopez, 1st Sgt. Phillip Harralson, 2nd Lt. Dustin Appel, and Cpts. Shawn Henderson and Leonard Svitenko for finishing the full 18.6 miles within 5 hours, 29 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the category. For completing 12.4 miles within 3 hours, 40 minutes to 5 hours, 20 minutes, Frazier presented the Texas State Guard Commendation Medal to Pvts. Peterson Louisdor, Charles Mechura, and Alain Towa, Pfc. Kristine Ferrer-Russ, Cpl. Kerry Barrientes, Sgts. Matthew Loehr, Heraclio Munoz and Noel Zemkouo, Warrant Officers Cyrille Dzouami and Chase Welch, 2nd Lts. Kay Edwards and Omoefe Onoriobe, Maj. Brad Bryan, and Lt. Col. William Carroll. After earning the Texas State Guard Achievement Medal himself, Lt. Col. Frazier presented this award to those who finished 6.2 miles within 1 hour, 40 minutes to 3 hours, 20 minutes, depending on the category. Recipients included: Pvts. Leonce Kamga, Dival Mempas, Cameron Oldaker, Lynashley Sainer, and Rodrick Williams, Cpls. Melissa Alvidrez and Susanna Ozuna, Sgt. Justin Cookson, Sgt. 1st Class Dennis McLane, 1st Sgt. Pedro Sosa, Warrant Officer James Gigante, 2Lts. Benjamin Ingalls and Mitchell Meaders, 1st Lts. Luis Pamintuan and Braulio Salizar, Cpts. Mark Coleman, William Collins, Kameron Raisi and Matthew Simonelli, as well as a civilian, Jason Stevenson.
Frazier also presented the Commanding General’s Individual Award to Pvts. Lorenzo Abaya and Danny Lopez, Cpls. Encarnason Ozuna and Billy Webb and Cpt. Charles Southern for completing 6.2 miles beyond the allotted time for the Achievement Medal.
Frazier summarized, “Overall, the Norwegian Foot March went very well, we integrated all four battalions and headquarters, and our medical personnel tended to those who needed minor first aid including muscle strains and blisters. We hope to do this every year. It helps with morale and physical fitness. People have a goal and now they have a shared experience in which we motivated each other.”
The Officer in Charge (OIC) of the operation, 1st Lt. Peter Brandon, added, “One of the biggest positive parts of hosting an endurance sporting event of this type is watching people support each other. Seeing troops from different units that don’t normally meet and talk to each other, faced with a difficult challenge, that is what brings human beings together. You see people going back out onto the course to support and encourage their new-found battle buddies to finish, that is what I want to see, it is the basis of everything we do in the military: building units, building character, building strength through teamwork.” Congratulations! Well done all! (Texas State Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Illich, Lt. Col. Randy Frazier, Staff Sgt Jason Wadley, Sgt. Qaiser Mohiuddin and Pfc. Ryan Kaufman) #duty #Honor#texas #TXMilitary #txlege #TXSG #NorwegianFootMarch
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