Should the Army reinstate the March of Diekirch Medal and other foot/ruck march foreign awards?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 00:10:59 -0400

On 1 September 2022, HRC announced that the Luxembourg’s International March of Diekirch Medal/Ribbon would no longer be allowed for wear among other foot march awards.

Their reasoning was that there is a 20 Euro fee associated with mailing the certificate of completion and the medal to the indicated address of the participant after completing the event.

Normally the event is held in Luxembourg, however with COVID the event was changed to virtual allowing participants to record their route via GPS and submit the documentation as proof of marching 20K, 40K, or 80K.

HRC claims that conducting the event virtually which is authorized by the government and military of Luxembourg and that paying an administration fee goes against Army policy and that by paying money that they are encouraging the award authority to compensate them with an award rather that for the cost of administration and shipping.

The announcement from HRC caught the ire of many troops from Junior Enlisted to Field Grade as Soldiers and units had organized personally or as a group to complete the event for physical fitness and morale purposes. Some made counter accusatory statements that the Army holds similar events at costs to Soldiers as well, or that with Recruiting and Retention dipping down low that this is what they choose to focus on by hitting Soldiers right in the morale.

Many Soldiers and units still intend to conduct the event as organized and will receive their foreign award, they just will not be able to submit the 4187 to wear it on their uniform. Some claimed it's better to have this on your desk than a challenge coin because at least you did something to get it and it's worth showing off.

Do you think HRC is being to heavy handed in this declaration? Should they reverse their decision considering other foreign physical fitness events are still conducted?

Personally I've seen Soldiers get out the barracks to run a 5K for a free T-Shirt, if a bit of colorful ribbon gets them focused on PT and competing with each other I'm all for it.

To be honest, I also am doing the event. The wall hanger will be nice, but mostly it's just another motivation for PT. Might make it a yearly thing if it stays virtual. If not, maybe I'll find another marching event to do. I'm sure there's plenty out there.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 16 at 2022 1:19 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 01:19:06 -0400

I don't know about an award from the military of Luxemburg for conducting a road march in the United States. Conceivably, every unit that conducts a road march could register with the Luxemburg officials and do their proficiency road march at the same time. That would be like jumping a C130 with US Army Parachute, US Army Jumpmaster, on a US Drop Zone, and a German Jumpmaster virtual.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 17 at 2022 12:06 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 00:06:00 -0400

Did two Danish Combat marches, couldn't wear the ribbons, yet was still good to do. Got some good memories of them. No big deal, certificate still hangs on my shop wall. Also complete one German combat march while deployed to Pristina, Kosovo. Got the certificate, never wore the ribbon.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 18 at 2022 6:54 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 06:54:15 -0400

Just my opinion; I don’t think any badge/medal for a ruck March is appropriate on the uniform. When my units were directed to ruck weekly, it was a fit requirement, not an achievement.

Anyway, it is obvious that likely no one in this period even rucked it up in the country in question, a virtual March is sone remotely at home base, so even if it were an authorized award for the uniform it is voided by not being there.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2022 6:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 18:49:28 -0400

I can see how this can seem like a scam. You shouldn't have to pay for a badge. This reminds me of the Royal Lao Airborne. The badge is authorized but there isn't a Royal Lao country. It went away in the 70's. Some former Lao Soldiers set up an Airborne schools and give out fake orders for money. A lot of ROTC cadets would go and I have known of my NG go there also. You basically pay and you will get wings. It is hard to give orders when you are not a government but a company.