Posted on Sep 16, 2022
Should the Army reinstate the March of Diekirch Medal and other foot/ruck march foreign awards?
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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.
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.
HRC
Awards
Physical Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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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.
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.
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SPC (Join to see)
CSM Darieus ZaGara I take your point, though if the foreign nation approves it as such would it not be valid? More so our restriction than theirs I think.
I think the walking/marching/rucking badges and medals is something of a cultural thing among European militaries as it seems so many have such an event. Otherwise we might have such an accoutrement of our own.
I think the walking/marching/rucking badges and medals is something of a cultural thing among European militaries as it seems so many have such an event. Otherwise we might have such an accoutrement of our own.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
I spent 21 years of my career in Europe mostly Germany. They have always partnered with us. One of my senior positions wa the Joint Multinational Training command. I worked with dozens of countries in many capacities representing the US Military. I agree with and support the partnerships and programs. I would personally not support the achievement that had to be paid for, nor am I comfortable with different terrain than that of the hosting organization. It goes much deeper. As I said I am not party to the process, I have had to halt our own training and awards process for Army Europe, that is within our own construct. Anyway I appreciate your opinion as it is as valid as mine. SPC (Join to see)
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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.
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SPC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) That's definitely shady, do they even do a jump?
For this, I think HRC is over thinking it. €20 to process the proof of completion and then ship the award and certificate overseas doesn't sound unreasonable to me.
Perhaps they could be concerned that some might cheat on this by faking the app or submitting a screenshot but it's only 20K with no ruck and it's not worth promotion points so I at least from my standpoint don't get why they would be so against it.
I'm still committed at any rate, our group already registered so we're doing it. This year only the 20K, but we might end up doing it again next year and try for the 40K maybe even the 80K someday if we feel hooah. Whether we get to wear it or not, it did bring a bunch of people together to do PT on their own time and I think that's definitely worth something despite what HRC approves or doesn't.
For this, I think HRC is over thinking it. €20 to process the proof of completion and then ship the award and certificate overseas doesn't sound unreasonable to me.
Perhaps they could be concerned that some might cheat on this by faking the app or submitting a screenshot but it's only 20K with no ruck and it's not worth promotion points so I at least from my standpoint don't get why they would be so against it.
I'm still committed at any rate, our group already registered so we're doing it. This year only the 20K, but we might end up doing it again next year and try for the 40K maybe even the 80K someday if we feel hooah. Whether we get to wear it or not, it did bring a bunch of people together to do PT on their own time and I think that's definitely worth something despite what HRC approves or doesn't.
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - They did jump. You will see them get a class of students for a week and make a killing. I don't think they are very active now. But you don't want to be a badge hunter. It took me a while to get my foreign wings.
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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.
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SPC (Join to see)
SGM Mikel Dawson That's what our group is going to do with the Diekirch Medals. They'll hang on a wall or sit on a desk as conversation pieces. Be cool if we could wear them, but if not oh well. Still did it, got a token out of it, maybe we'll make it a yearly event.
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