KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- More than 300 service members from every branch of the U.S. military laced up their boots, shouldered rucks, and hit the pavement for the Norwegian Foot March at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 22, 2025.
The 18.6-mile event challenged participants to complete the course while carrying a 24-pound rucksack and wearing full combat uniform, testing both physical endurance and mental grit.
Originally established by the Norwegian Army in 1915 to assess a soldier’s ability to move quickly across long distances with combat gear, the foot march has become a worldwide symbol of discipline, teamwork, and warrior spirit.
Originally established by the Norwegian Army in 1915, the foot march was originally designed to test a soldier’s ability to rapidly move long distances with combat gear and remain mission-ready upon arrival. Today, the event stands as a test of warfighter discipline, joint cooperation, and combat readiness.
“This event isn’t just about finishing a distance, it’s about finishing together,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Garrett Bodie, Erwin Professional Military Education Center faculty development noncommissioned officer in charge. “When we talk about the warrior ethos, this is what it looks like: Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines pushing each other and building resilience as one team.”
Participants paced themselves along the winding route across Kadena, relying on grit and camaraderie to keep moving. Volunteers lined checkpoints to provide water, medical support, and encouragement throughout the march.
“This event only happened because so many Airmen and teammates stepped up to help,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lorraina Dunn, Erwin PME Center first term enlisted course team lead. “Seeing everyone—from volunteers to finishers—rally around a shared goal shows how strong our joint community really is.”
Among the top finishers was Airman 1st Class Robert English, 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron medical tech who crossed the finish line in just over three hours, demonstrating both endurance and motivation.
More than 135 volunteers supported the march, coordinating logistics, hydration stations, and safety oversight—an effort reflecting the teamwork that drives mission readiness across the Indo-Pacific.
“This wasn’t about competition,” Bodie said. “It was about connection. Every ruck, every step, was a reminder that resilience and readiness are built together.”
The Norwegian Foot March continues to grow as a joint tradition on Okinawa, reinforcing cooperation, perseverance, and the shared warrior ethos that unites service members across the Pacific.