Apr. 5, 2022
CWU Army ROTC to Host 19-Mile Nighttime Norwegian Foot March
Last year's Norwegian Foot March had over 160 participants
More than 200 soldiers will compete in a Central Washington University Army ROTC-sanctioned Norwegian Foot March on Friday, April 8. The 18.6-mile nighttime march will begin at around 8 p.m., once the sun sets, at the John Wayne Trailhead near the Ellensburg Fairgrounds.
Participants, including CWU Air Force and Army ROTC as well as representatives from numerous other organizations from Washington and Oregon, must march the near 20-mile hike within 4 hours and 40 minutes while carrying a 25-pound rucksack to earn an official Norwegian Foot March badge. Called Marsjmerket in Norwegian, the badge can only be earned through official events such as this one.
Ordinarily, a representative of the Norwegian Armed Forces must be present for Norway to recognize this achievement when completed by non-Norwegian service members. This year, because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Norway has been unable to send that representative, so CWU Cadet Commander Isaac Sandoval was granted approval through the Norwegian embassy.
Professor of Military Science and U.S. Army Major Joseph Paolilli hopes the event will serve to introduce new people to CWU, and Ellensburg as a whole.
“CWU is honored to once again sponsor this event and make it available to so many service personnel,” Paolilli said. “I want all those coming, many who may be potential students, to have a great time and think how wonderful CWU and the greater Ellensburg community is to live and learn within.”
The public is welcome to participate in the event, though only military personnel may earn the Marsjmerket.
Media contact: Rune Torgersen, Department of Public Affairs, rune.torgersen@cwu.edu, 509-963-1264