Monday, November 09, 2009

Norwegian Road March planned for November 21

Photo Credit: Photo Provided HI-RES | WEB RELATED VIDEO:  RELATED AUDIO:  Contact for more information: Brandi Schwartz Marketing Coordinator Outreach & Engagement 812/464-1854 email On Saturday, November 21, cadets from the Wabash Battalion, Eagle Detachment Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) program and the surrounding area will pack their rucksacks to participate in the 8th Annual Norwegian Road March. The 18.6-mile road march will begin and end at the University of Southern Indiana. Registration will begin at 6 a.m. About 150 cadets are expected to participate in the event. Cadets who complete the road march in an allotted amount of time will be awarded a bronze, silver, or gold Norwegian Road March Badge and certificate. The journey will require participants to march on a trail that covers a variety of terrain while dressed in military attire and carrying a 25-pound rucksack and frame. The Norwegian Road March was initiated by Dr. Nils Johansen, retired Norwegian Artillery Officer and University Division advisor. "When the USI ROTC program began eight years ago, I wanted to help bring something unique to the program," Johansen said. "The Norwegian Road March is a boot camp tradition for Norwegian soldiers. It's a great challenge for cadets." Johansen holds a Norwegian Road March gold metal. Sergeant 1st Class Ronald Enlow, a career counselor for the Indiana Army National Guard in Jasper, Indiana, will participate in the road march for the eighth time. He is the only participant in this year's road march eligible to receive the gold Norwegian Road March Badge. "It is a privilege to be part of this opportunity," said Enlow. "This event allows us to show our physical and mental endurance. Earning the gold Norwegian Road March Badge is a huge achievement and I am thankful for the opportunity to participate." Civilians are welcome to participate in the road march but are required to provide their own uniform, rucksack, and frame. Those who complete the march within the set guidelines will receive a Norwegian Road March certificate. The deadline to register for the road march is Saturday, November 14. The registration fee is $25, a portion of which will benefit the USI ROTC program. Event details and standards for the Norwegian Road March can be found online. For more information, or to register for the Norwegian Road March, contact Major Nate Skelly, Commanding Officer and assistant professor of military science for USI ROTC, at 812/461-5304 or nrskelly@usi.edu.

USI Home | Academics | Calendar | Athletics | Visitors | Events and News | Administration

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600

Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.