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| Participants line up to begin the march. |
What is a DANCON March?
DANCON, short for Danish Contingent, refers to a tradition that dates back to 1972 when the Royal Danish Army was deployed in Cyprus. Since then, the DANCON March has been held wherever the Danish Contingent is stationed, with events taking place in locations such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, and Iraq, among others.
The march serves both as a measure of the army’s physical preparedness and as a social event for soldiers. The route is typically located in the countryside near the Danish camp and symbolizes the mutual trust between the local community and the Danish forces. Proceeds from each march go to support wounded Danish soldiers and veteran programs.
DANCON March Requirements:
- A 25km route on foot, across varying terrain.
- A 10kg dry weight pack, in addition to food, water, socks, etc.
- Weapons may be part of the load.
- The march must be completed in military uniform and boots.
- Participants must finish within 8 hours.
Can I wear the medal on my uniform?
For U.S. military personnel, the answer is no. The DANCON medal is considered honorary, meaning it can only be accepted and retained but not worn on a uniform. It's a keepsake—a reminder of the "type II fun" you had and the bragging rights for having completed a challenging event. While you can't wear the medal, the experience is more than just about the physical challenge. This event is a social gathering with multinational troops and a fundraiser for Danish veterans.
Does the medal change for each march?
Yes, each Danish Contingent designs its own medal based on their regimental traditions, so the medal will vary depending on where the march takes place.
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| Participants come from different partner nations. |
DANCON March- Camp Novo Selo
We had a two-hour window to check in, and as part of the process, we weighed our packs to ensure they met the official weight requirement. The Danish Army has the check-in process down to a science. It was fascinating to see the different uniforms and gear each nation’s military brought to the march. While we might look different and be equipped in unique ways, it's clear that deep down, all soldiers share the same sense of camaraderie and purpose.
Around 900 participants took part in the march hosted by the Danish Contingent, representing a wide range of partner nations: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, and likely a few more that I missed.
Before leaving the camp, I made sure to load my pockets with candy to hand out to the children in the villages along the route. I always enjoy giving out candy to the kids, and I was surprised at how many of them spoke English. I gave out just a couple of pieces to each child, but I ended up running out of candy long before I finished the course. If you ever do a DANCON March, make sure to pack a big bag of candy—it's a real treat for the kids along the way!
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| The march takes us to the outskirts of Maxhunaj. |
Although I knew this event was going to be tough, I couldn’t help but feel excited as we marched into the countryside, passing through small farming villages. As we left camp, the route took us to the outskirts of Maxhunaj. I’d call Maxhunaj more of a small town than a village. We followed a winding road that stretched through fields, still untouched and waiting for spring planting.
As I made my way along the route, I felt as though I’d stepped into another world—one that seemed to be frozen in time. The villages appeared sleepy at first, quiet and still. But as we marched on, the villagers slowly began to emerge, coming out to greet us with friendly waves and smiles. It was a humbling experience, a beautiful reminder of the connection between the soldiers and the people we’re here to serve and support.
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| Looking back to Maxhunaj and the hundreds of marchers. |
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| It's hard to explain what marching with so many people is like. |
As I looked ahead, I noticed the familiar toxic smoke rising from a fire where someone was burning their trash along the edge of a field. It's a common sight here in Kosovo, and I don’t think a single day has passed without seeing some kind of fire. We turned the corner and began our first hill climb of the day, with many more awaiting us over the next 25 kilometers. The terrain would be challenging, but it was all part of the experience.
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| As the fire burns, we will start the first climb of the day. |
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| This is where we start to spread out a bit. |
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| A female Soldier from Hungary had a tactical Hello Kitty morale patch. |
The Hello Kitty patch sparked an interesting conversation with the Hungarian soldier. She pointed me in the direction of where I could find one. Later on, I ended up buying the same patch to send home to my daughter.
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| Clicking off the kilometers and setting our sites in another village. |
In every village, town, and city across Kosovo, you'll notice numerous homes and structures that remain unfinished. In the photo below, you can see the gable end of a building that hasn't been completed. This is a common sight, as unfinished buildings are not subject to taxes.
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| Though this village runs a drain ditch which is just full of trash. |
Kosovo is a land full of history and natural beauty. Many of the villages we passed through were simple farming communities, where the people worked diligently and were genuinely appreciative of our presence.
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| One of the many 1600 war memorials in Kosovo. |
Kosovo is home to over 1,600 war memorials dedicated to the 1998-1999 conflict. Most of these memorials are created by families and friends, with no formal process or legal procedure in place to gain permission or engage in public debate about their construction.
I would assume that this particular memorial was erected by the village, as they view the individuals commemorated as local heroes.
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| Going down was as hard as going up the mountain. |
Between the villages of Studime e Eperma and Cecelija, the route takes us over a mountain—a climb that truly tested our endurance. It felt like a soul-crushing ascent! At one point, the guy next to me checked his watch and said we were nearing 3,000 feet.
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| The village of Cecelija. |
As I looked down at the village of Cecelija, I could see other participants already making their way through town. The descent was just as challenging as the climb up, with every step requiring careful attention. Once we passed through the village, we reached the halfway point of the march.
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| Kopleksi Memorial in the village of Cecelija. |
The presence of the Albanian flag on this memorial clearly marks it as being in an ethnic Albanian village. From a ground-level perspective, this is the most striking memorial I’ve encountered so far. While I’ve seen hilltop memorials from the air, none have had the same impact as standing before this one.
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| This is what dedication to service looks like. Photo by SSG Hunt. |
I saved this picture for last because it truly embodies the spirit of perseverance. We all face challenges in life, and the DANCON march certainly puts that to the test. But there are those who, despite the difficulty, inspire others to push further. I’m deeply moved by the warrior spirit of MAJ Pitcher and his unwavering dedication to serving our Nation.
Now It's Your Turn-
Have you completed a DANCON in March? Have you explored Kosovo?
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