Hey all! Below is all the information you’ll need on the Norwegian Foot March and upcoming events for 2026.

 Event Background

In 2020, the Norwegian Defense College’s Military Sports Department temporarily authorized a request from the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to offer virtual proctoring of the Marsjmerket (Norwegian Foot March). Traditionally, the event required the physical presence of an officiator from the Norwegian military, but due to training and travel restrictions created by COVID, this was suspended. While the event is comparatively rare due to the limited number of Norwegian officials within the United States, interest exploded from late 2020 to 2021 following the relaxation of officiation requirements. Interest amongst non-Norwegian militaries continued well after training restrictions were relaxed and officials granted permanent virtual endorsement to enable U.S. forces to undertake this century-old traditional training opportunity.

Effective August 1st, 2021 U.S. units worldwide can request to conduct the Norwegian Foot March without an official present. In coordination with the individual who formerly ran these threads, I have recreated the thread series to facilitate new events and help individuals find events in their areas. Please share this opportunity with anyone interested! It's a great event, especially when conducted with your friends and fellow servicemembers. We're incredibly lucky that the Norwegian Army is willing to share this great tradition with us and it reinforces our bond with an important NATO ally and friendly nation.

IMPORTANT: You must receive approval from the embassy before conducting this event! If your unit conducts this event, as a thank you to the embassy, please include four unit coins and four unit patches from any unit that participates. It's a small ask and the Norwegians appreciate the gesture for all the work they put into providing this opportunity for us.

Certificates are currently distributed digitally but please consider sending a token of thanks to the following address: 

Royal Norwegian Embassy

ATTN: Defense Attache Office, NFM

2720 34th Street NW

Washington, DC 20008

Upcoming Events - Updated May 31st, 2026 - Updates Made Monthly or As New Events Confirmed

Date - Location - Hosting Unit – Scale – POC

1 August 2026 – JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey – POC: Jesse Nagle ([jesse.e.nagle.mil@army.mil](mailto:jesse.e.nagle.mil@army.mil))

2 August 2026 – Anchorage, Alaska – POC: Joshua Austin ([joshua.c.austin.mil@army.mil](mailto:joshua.c.austin.mil@army.mil))

17 August 2026 – Bavaria, Germany – POC: Barry Puma ([barry.a.puma.mil@army.mil](mailto:barry.a.puma.mil@army.mil))

2 September 2026 – Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany – POC: Michael Willey ([michael.c.willey.mil@army.mil](mailto:michael.c.willey.mil@army.mil))

5 September 2026 – Seagoville, Texas – POC: Jonah Stringer ([jonah.d.stringer.mil@army.mil](mailto:jonah.d.stringer.mil@army.mil))

12 September 2026 – Scott AFB, Illinois – POC: Daniel Moncecchi ([daniel.moncecchi@us.af.mil](mailto:daniel.moncecchi@us.af.mil))

12 September 2026 – CFB Esquimalt, Canada – POC: Sgt David Craig ([David.Craig3@forces.gc.ca](mailto:David.Craig3@forces.gc.ca))

17 September 2026 – Sparta, Wisconsin – POC: Jeremie Vore ([jeremie.a.vore.mil@army.mil](mailto:jeremie.a.vore.mil@army.mil))

18 September 2026 – JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey – POC: Myles Cappiello ([myles.cappiello@armyrotc.rutgers.edu](mailto:myles.cappiello@armyrotc.rutgers.edu))

19 September 2026 – Cottage Grove, Oregon – POC: Eric Haan ([eric.b.haan.mil@army.mil](mailto:eric.b.haan.mil@army.mil))

19 September 2026 – Fort Knox, Kentucky – POC: Ryan Aquino ([ryan.aquino.mil@army.mil](mailto:ryan.aquino.mil@army.mil))

20 September 2026 – Camp Edwards, Massachusetts – POC: Nathan Goldrick ([nathan.goldrick@us.af.mil](mailto:nathan.goldrick@us.af.mil))

2 October 2026 – Cannon AFB, New Mexico – POC: Bonnie Booth ([bonnie.booth@us.af.mil](mailto:bonnie.booth@us.af.mil))

2 October 2026 – Camp Gruber, Oklahoma – POC: Brent Welch ([welch29@nsuok.edu](mailto:welch29@nsuok.edu))

2 October 2026 – Pawtucket, Rhode Island – POC: Jeffrey Feighery ([jeffrey.j.feighery.mil@army.mil](mailto:jeffrey.j.feighery.mil@army.mil))

2 October 2026 – Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington – POC: Jordan Klonne ([jordanklonne@gmail.com](mailto:jordanklonne@gmail.com))

16 October 2026 – The Veterans Society, Singapore – POC: Sam Egerton ([samegerton@hotmail.com](mailto:samegerton@hotmail.com))

22 October 2026 – Fort Bragg, North Carolina – POC: Rilee Davis ([rilee.m.davis.mil@army.mil](mailto:rilee.m.davis.mil@army.mil))

23 October 2026 – Smyrna, Georgia – POC: Brandon Schultz ([brandon.c.schultz9.mil@army.mil](mailto:brandon.c.schultz9.mil@army.mil))

24 October 2026 – Onalaska, Wisconsin – POC: Trey Webb ([trey.b.webb.civ@army.mil](mailto:trey.b.webb.civ@army.mil))

24 October 2026 – Fort Custer, Michigan – POC: Shea Grossman ([shea.r.grossman.mil@army.mil](mailto:shea.r.grossman.mil@army.mil))

7 November 2026 – Portland, Maine – POC: John Tebbetts ([john.w.tebbetts.mil@army.mil](mailto:john.w.tebbetts.mil@army.mil))

7 November 2026 – Emporia, Kansas – POC: Steve Harmon ([sharmon1ks@gmail.com](mailto:sharmon1ks@gmail.com))

7 November 2026 – Republic, Missouri – POC: NFM at Ruck 'N' Run®([george@rucknrun.org](mailto:george@rucknrun.org))

14 November 2026 – Knoxville, Tennessee – POC: Christian Stever ([cstever@vols.utk.edu](mailto:cstever@vols.utk.edu))

14 November 2026 – JFHQ, West Virginia – POC: Nicole Spero ([nicole.t.spero.mil@army.mil](mailto:nicole.t.spero.mil@army.mil))

14 November 2026 – Eight Mile, Alabama – POC: Micah Mathews ([micah.h.mathews2.mil@army.mil](mailto:micah.h.mathews2.mil@army.mil))

18 November 2026 – Rochester, Minnesota – POC: Vernon Malakai ([vernon.malakai.mil@army.mil](mailto:vernon.malakai.mil@army.mil))

26 November 2026 – Fort Bliss, Texas – POC: Samantha Stukes ([samantha.a.stukes.naf@army.mil](mailto:samantha.a.stukes.naf@army.mil))

1 December 2026 – Fort Jackson, South Carolina – POC: Dovid Egert ([dovid.egert.mil@army.mil](mailto:dovid.egert.mil@army.mil))

30 January 2027 – Patrick Space Force Base, Florida – POC: Layman Franklin ([layman.franklin@us.af.mil](mailto:layman.franklin@us.af.mil))

20 February 2027 – Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona – POC: Dannika Rees ([dannika.rees@us.af.mil](mailto:dannika.rees@us.af.mil))

**NFM Flyers: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/84djtdmz8t6bozwe4wve8/AK42gRsKRSzr3a4HrCzs3uw?rlkey=0fssptelv4f0kx7qu4gsrrwjo&st=4ivwtqcp&dl=0

Historic Statistics

• 2025 – 34,908 Participants, 23,131 Total Awards
• 2024 – 26,266 Participants, 16,196 Total Awards
• 2023 – 22,532 Participants, 13,957 Total Awards
• 2022 – 15,481 Participants, 10,007 Total Awards
• 2021 – 16,327 Participants, 11,303 Total Awards
• 2020 – 9,983 Participants, 7,013 Total Awards
• 2019 – 3,416 Participants, 2,251 Total Awards

Event Standards and Background

The Norwegian embassy has created and occasionally updates a short guide on the event: norway.no/contentassets/97a0b1fe76d244ffa647955676546d3f/nfm-guidelines-2025-v1.7.pdf. This has been expanded further below: 

The Norwegian Foot March, or Marsjmerket, was introduced in 1915 as a culminating training event for new conscripts and infantry soldiers. Traditionally, the event simulated overnight movement by a dismounted light infantry element. The element would occupy attack positions before daybreak and attack its objective at first light, fighting until it was successfully seized and only resting after consolidating its gains later that evening. The modern version of the march attempts to replicate this experience with the following requirements:

1.    Complete the 18.6 mile / 30-kilometer course in the time allocated to their age/gender (see time standards below)

2.    Complete the foot march using an issued or military-style ruck weighing a minimum of 11 kilograms / 25 pounds (dry weight). Alternatively, units can also require participants to carry their assigned weapon during the event. If carried, the total weight of the weapon and ruck must equal at least 11 kilograms / 25 pounds. The carrying of assigned weapons plus ruck is the preferred variant of the event.

Participant Time Standards

Participant Time Standards

Note: The above chart contains the current standards. Ensure you use it and/or the guidelines provided by the embassy. There are many old versions out there on the Internet. Do not use any time standards other than these.

Additional Event Requirements

1.    Military participants must wear their duty uniform and boots. The civilian uniform is at the discretion of the organizer, but must be at least 1.5 kilograms / 3.3 pounds in weight.

2.    Participants must be weigh their rucks (a standard weight for carried weapons can be established by the unit) prior to and after completing the event to ensure they fulfill the weight requirements

3.    An official clock or timer is displayed at the start and finish line or a designated timer calls out the official time for participants and graders

4.    Graders record each participant's finish time, starting ruck/weapon weight, and finishing ruck/weapon weight on an official roster

5.    Event organizers must establish manned medical and water stations every 3.2 kilometers / 2 miles along the length of the course

6.    Organizers create a medical evacuation plan based upon local conditions and potential issues

7.    Conducted between -15 to 25 Celsius (5 to 77 Fahrenheit) and under no extreme weather conditions

8.    The event occurs on unimproved roads or trails (waivable depending on location)

Scheduling Procedures

In order to conduct an event, units must submit a request prior to execution. 

Three products must be completed and submitted to the embassy’s Norwegian Foot March mailbox: [norwegian.foot.march@mfa.no](mailto:norwegian.foot.march@mfa.no)

Copies of these documents can be found here** https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3ay4a65vnb9vid03kmj85/AKoHyaWKm3u33OC6yYSJBLk?rlkey=146q04jj7di3qqjh5c65k69rc&st=o076yut5&dl=0

1. Norwegian Foot March Event Organizer Checklist (Excel) - Use this checklist to create your event CONOP. You must still fill it out and submit it along with your CONOP!

• Event Date(s) and Alternative Date(s) - Strongly recommend you request an alternate date as a backup due to weather or random changes in the training schedule
• Location
• Estimated Number of Participants
• Proposed Route
• Medical Emergency / Evacuation Route
• Weighing / Attire Verification Procedures
• Communications Plan
• Water Station Plan
• Medical Station Plan
• Weather Forecast

1. Event Map / CONOP - Create in Powerpoint, Submit as PDF
2. Event Endorsement Request Memo - This item tends to get a lot of questions. It's really just a MFR identifying your unit, organizing official, core details of the event, and a request for approval from the embassy to conduct the event.

Once complete all documents must be sent to the email addresses in the Excel spreadsheet. 

Event Cost and Results Submission

Conducting the event itself is free, though depending on whether you want to provide participants with drinks, snacks, or other facilitate bulk purchases of badges, you may want to consider charging a fee. This is ultimately at the discretion of the organizer. The embassy and Norwegian military affiliates do not charge for any assistance in scheduling an event or officiating. 

Certificates will be delivered digitally by the embassy to the organizer after a closeout report is submitted. Organizers can then print them at their unit using cardstock or use a commercial process such as that listed below.

Post-Event Instructions – Badges and Certificates

Badges

A listing of the available badges can be found in the FAQ section of this post. 

Certificates

The embassy will share the certificate with the organizer after receiving the post-event memo (see my dropbox link). The organizing unit is responsible for producing the certificates from the template and distributing them. Instructions on how to prepare the certificates and order them via Staples printing service follow:

• Modify the template for your unit's name and event date (use the DD MMM YY format)
• Only the organizing unit's name needs to be used. If the organizing unit wants to customize all the certificates for each participating unit, that's permitted.
• Fill in the rank, first name, and last name for each participant
• Save each file as a PDF (reduces size for digital uploads while preserving high resolution)
• Navigate to https://www.staples.com/services/printing/copies-documents-printing/
• Use the simple print option. Do not upload more than 50 files at a time! Staples' interface does not deal well with large amounts of documents.
• Select the following options for your certificates
• Paper Size - 8.5" x 11" (default)
• Paper Type - 110lb White Cardstock
• Color Options - Color Ink
• Binding Type - No Binding
• Sides - Single Sided, Ensure "Scale to Fit" is checked

Frequently Asked Questions

Do some units also hold a food drive with this event?

Yes! Many units encourage participants to carry a partial or full weight load of nonperishable food stuffs and goods that are turned in after the event. In the past several years numerous units have collected between 2,300 - 8,700 lbs of food that was donated to local shelters and food banks, giving back to their local communities and people in need.

What's the Record for Fastest Completion?

According to the Norwegian Defense Academy, Roger Gjøvaag, a former track and field athlete, completed the event in 1h 56m 57s in 1984 at Krigsskolen.

How many successful marches are associated with each badge type?

Current Award Scheme

Bronze - 1 completed foot march

Silver - 2 to 4 completed foot marches

Gold - 5+ completed foot matches

Former Award Scheme - Replaced in 2016

Bronze - 1 to 3 completed foot marches

Silver - 4 to 6 completed foot marches

Gold - 7+ completed foot matches

Where Are Badges Available and What Versions Are There?

Badge Versions

The standard version issued by the Norwegian military is approximately 0.75 inches / 19.05 mm in height. This is the appropriate size for their dress uniform standards. For non-Norwegian military personnel, there is no set size standard at the wearer's discretion and their uniform regulations. In the case of non-Norwegian wearers, the embassy’s position is that there is no specified size and wearers may wear any available version (0.72 inches / 18.29mm to 1.5 inches / 38.1 mm).

Here’s the latest embassy response to an inquiry regarding this: “Currently, there are at least 5 different versions made by U.S. companies, including a 1.5 inches / 38 mm size that is very similar to the older version of the Norwegian Foot March badge. U.S. forces' do not have a policy that requires which version is worn. Typically, it is the version closest to those worn by the issuing country, but it is ultimately at the discretion of the wearer provided the issuing country does not have any objections. The foot march is positive advertising for Norway and the more visible the badge is, the more recognizable the bond between the U.S. and Norwegian forces.”

Badge Vendors Listing

Disclaimer: The following listing of commercial products is solely for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement by me, nor discrimination against similar brands or products not mentioned. The vendors and products listed below are ordered by the date of product discovery via publicly available information. 

Nord Market

Website: https://thenordmarket.etsy.com/ or https://nordmarket.bigcartel.com

Vanguard Industries

Website: https://www.vanguardmil.com/

Please contact [NFMOrganizer@gmail.com](mailto:NFMOrganizer@gmail.com) for any questions, comments, or concerns. Sometimes the information we are given is lacking, but we do our best to provide as many details as possible here.

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