Scott holds its third annual Norwegian March, pushing servicemem

A U.S. Airman runs through a tunnel during Scott Air Force Base’s third annual Norwegian Foot March, on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Sept. 6, 2025. The march highlights how physical endurance and mental toughness work hand in hand to prepare Airmen for future challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)

Scott holds its third annual Norwegian Foot March, pushing servicemem

U.S. Airmen participate in Scott Air Force Base’s third annual Norwegian Foot March, on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Sept. 6, 2025. By carrying heavy rucks over long distances, Airmen prepare themselves for the physical demands of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)

Scott holds its third annual Norwegian Foot March, pushing servicemem

U.S. Airmen participate in Scott Air Force Base’s third annual Norwegian Foot March, on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Sept. 6, 2025. The march offers Airmen a meaningful challenge that turns individual effort into collective accomplishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)

Scott holds its third annual Norwegian Foot March, pushing servicemem

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Olivia Cockey, 375th Medical Group medical technician, participates in Scott Air Force Base’s third annual Norwegian Foot March, on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Sept. 6, 2025. The march serves as a way for Airmen to measure their endurance against a demanding test of strength and stamina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)

Scott holds its third annual Norwegian Foot March, pushing servicemembers to their limits

Published Sept. 10, 2025
By Senior Airman De'Quan Simmons
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --

Team Scott tested their endurance in a demanding physical challenge, which has become a Scott tradition.

These servicemembers participated in Scott’s third annual Norwegian Foot March, an 18.6-mile ruck requiring participants to be in military uniform and carry a rucksack weighing at least 25 pounds within a certain time period. This standard was established by the Norwegian military in 1915 to evaluate the mobility and combat readiness of its soldiers.

From its origins in Norway, the march now serves a broader purpose. Servicemembers march to test their individual readiness and challenge their physical and mental limits. For many, the event also builds camaraderie, strengthens confidence in their abilities, and reinforces the importance of being prepared to meet the demands of future missions.