The Georgia State Defense Force isn’t the only State Defense Force taking on tough military competitions. Recently, the 2nd Brigade of The Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) hosted and participated in the Norwegian Foot March, a grueling endurance event that tests the stamina, discipline, and determination of soldiers and civilians alike. This marks the second year in a row that the brigade has hosted the event, further cementing its reputation for challenging its members and strengthening its force.
Held at Long Acres Ranch in Richmond, Texas, on February 8, 2025, the event saw more than 150 participants, including members of the Texas State Guard, Texas National Guard, and even civilians. Participants were required to complete a 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) course while carrying a rucksack weighing at least 25 lbs. and dressed in uniform. The challenge is part of a longstanding Norwegian military tradition originally designed to ensure soldiers could move quickly and effectively across great distances while remaining combat-ready.
The 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade played a key role in organizing the event, with logistical support and medical stations provided by 1st Battalion and brigade headquarters personnel. The Norwegian Foot March is a timed event, with participants needing to meet specific completion times based on age and gender—ranging from 4 hours and 30 minutes to 6 hours—in order to qualify for the prestigious Norwegian Foot March Badge Certificate.
The event showcased some outstanding performances, with Specialist Matthew Heath, from D Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry, Texas Army National Guard, finishing first overall with an impressive time of 3 hours and 31 minutes. A total of 11 participants were awarded the Norwegian Foot March Badge Certificate for completing the full march within the designated time limits.
Additionally, 25 participants earned the Texas State Guard Exemplary Service Medal for completing the full 30-kilometer course within the set time limits, while 23 others received the Texas State Guard Commendation Medal for completing a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) distance within the required timeframe.
Speaking on the event’s success, Lt. Col. William Carroll, Commander of the 4th Battalion, commended the participants’ perseverance and teamwork. He highlighted the event’s importance beyond physical endurance, emphasizing its role in problem-solving, planning, and community engagement—key aspects of the Texas State Guard’s mission.
“This activity pertains to what we do in the TXSG: planning events, problem solving, setting up community outreach,” Carroll said. “This is also an opportunity to bring some new people into the Texas State Guard. I am so proud of how my people performed today and how this entire evolution went!”
For many participants, the event was their first exposure to the rigorous test, but certainly not their last. Spc. Daniela Ayala of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Laredo, Texas, expressed her determination to participate again: “It was my first time ever to attempt this, and for sure, it will not be my last. It was totally worth it, and with more training, I will be able to earn the badge.”
Similarly, Pvt. Juan Cavazos shared his perspective on overcoming exhaustion through perseverance:
“It was all about being positive and keeping on. And for others who are considering the March, don’t think twice about it—just do it. You only get one chance in life; you might as well go all out!”
The Norwegian Foot March dates back to 1915, when it was first introduced as a test of endurance for Norwegian soldiers. The original goal was to ensure that troops could quickly traverse long distances while carrying essential gear and still be combat-ready at the end of the march. While it remains a military endurance event, it has grown to include participants from various branches of service and civilians, fostering a culture of resilience and teamwork.
According to Captain Matthew Bramanti, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the operation, the event serves a dual purpose: “Aside from the obvious physical benefits of routinely training and pushing oneself, it is also a great event to build camaraderie and esprit de corps. I saw participants encouraging each other, cheering each other on, including Texas National Guardsmen, civilians, and family members.”
The Texas State Guard is not the only State Defense Force to take on this demanding event. Other State Defense Forces, including the Ohio State Defense Force, have also participated in the Norwegian Foot March, demonstrating the increasing interest in military endurance challenges among state-level forces. As more State Defense Forces incorporate such events into their training and community engagement efforts, they continue to build stronger, more prepared, and more resilient forces.
With events like the Norwegian Foot March, the Texas State Guard is not only testing its members’ endurance but also fostering leadership, teamwork, and readiness—values that define their service to Texas and the nation.
2nd Brigade, Texas State Guard hosts the Norwegian Foot March for the second year.
By Gregory Illich, Chief Warrant Officer 2, Texas State Guard
More than 150 Texas State Guard and Texas National Guard soldiers and civilians, with 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, February 8, 2025. The annual event was hosted by 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, and supported by 1st Battalion medical staff at first aid stations as well as general support and logistics personnel from each battalion and headquarters. A timed event, qualifiers performed within limits according to age and gender, from 4 hours and 30 minutes to 6 hours. Spc. Matthew Heath, D Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 143rd Infantry, Texas National Guard, finished first with a time of 3 hours, 31 minutes. Lt. Col. William Carroll, Commander, 4th Battalion, presented the Norwegian Foot March Badge Certificate to 11 participants, in order of time completed, to Heath, Anthony Flores, Michael Matthias, Mireya Sanchez, Matthew McGee, Tyler Zapalac, Cpt. Leonard Svitenko, 1st Lts. Stacy Jones, Lucas Meier, Daniel Barringer and Jill Matte.
Carroll awarded the Texas State Guard Exemplary Service Medal to 25 participants who completed the entire 30-kilometer course within a certain time frame: Staff Sgt. Elijah Lang, Jacob Lahti, Thomas Trapp, Spc. Andrew Hryekewicz, Zachary Carolus, Maj. Jason Haddock, Pvt. Alain Bedos Towa Njankou, Sgt. 1st Class Stephan Brayfield, Joel Lomas, Jon Tozzi, Staff Sgt. Joseph Randolph, John Wayne Peebles, Pvt. Kristopher Mettlen, Sergio Tellezventura, Reynaldo Reyes, Staff Sgt. David Schmid, Pvt. Arieious Revonhart, Eufracio Larabaeza, Chief Warrant Officer Gregory Illich, Pvt. Syed Mohiuddin, Staff Sgt. Jonah Havel, 1st Lt. Ashly Williams, Rachel Ongudu, and 1st Lt. Dustin Appel.
23 guardsmen and other participants who completed 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) within a certain time frame received the Texas State Guard Commendation Medal: Christian Daigle, Estevan Sanchez, Cameron Lum, Milton Heath, Cpt. James Still, Elizabeth Brayfield, Barry Ansumama, Jason Rodriguez, Pvt. Juan Cavazos, Blake Jones Shipp, Pvt. Ian Hernandez, Sgt. Jonathan Barber, Louis Gonzalez, Ricardo Anguiano, Cpl. Kelly Barrientes, Pvt. Nadeem Naik, Pvt. Agenor Tazano, Pvt. Divald Mempas Min, Spc. Daniela Ayala, Spc. Shawn Villarreal, Gabriel Rodriguez, 1st Sgt. Philip Harralson and Pvt. Ibifrisolam Max-Alalibo.
Also, Carroll awarded the Texas Guard Achievement Medal to 23 troops who finished 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) within established limits: Sgt. Mike Deogratias, Steven Kenning, Ray Rodriguez II, Kyle Kelly, Cpl. Jonathan Caldwell, Hillary Puletasi, David Mead, Edwin Rivas, Sgt. 1st Class John Lindsey, Shane Burroughs, Christopher Osaigbovo, Staff Sgt. Juan C. De La Garza, Cpl. Deen Cadi, Pvt. Peterson Louisdor, Pvt. Teresa Rios, Pvt. Prince Johnson, Pfc. Rodrick Williams, Pvt. Jason Schaub, Samuel Breaux, 2nd Lt. Rogelio Tighe, 1st Lt. Marco Gonzales, 1st Lt. Michelle Estrera and Pvt. Rozana Lujano.
Carroll summarized, “With the partnership of our civilian counterparts at Long Acres Ranch, the National Guard, ROTC, and college students, we had our best turnout yet. This activity pertains to what we do in the TXSG: planning events, problem solving, setting up community outreach, that is what we did today. This is also an opportunity to bring some new people into the Texas State Guard. I am so proud of how my people performed today and how this entire evolution went!”
Spc. Daniela Ayala, and Pvt. Juan Cavazos, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Laredo, Texas, earned the TXSG Commendation Medal, completing 12.4 miles during their first experience with the March. Ayala explained, “It was my first time ever to attempt, for sure, it will not be my last, it was totally worth it and with more training I will be able to earn the badge.” Cavazos added, “It was very exhausting, but it was all about being positive and keeping on. And for others who are considering the March, don’t think twice about, just do it, you only get one chance in life, you might as well go all out!”
The Officer in Charge (OIC) of the operation, Cpt. Matthew Bramanti, added, “Aside from the obvious physical benefits of routinely training and pushing oneself, it is also a great event to build camaraderie and esprit de corps. I saw participants encouraging each other, cheering each other on, including Texas National Guardsmen, civilians, and family members.” Congratulations! Well done all! (Texas State Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Illich and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Willie Grimes)
Source: Texas State Guard
