FORT HOOD, Texas - More than 300 Troopers from 3rd Squadron "Thunder," 3rd Cavalry Regiment gathered at Veterans Field here May 27, awaiting the sunset with much anticipation.
They were going for a little walk.
Promptly at 9 p.m., the squadron stepped off on its annual "Thunder Mile" - a 25-mile ruck march traversing the tank trails and dirt roads of Fort Hood.
Each Trooper carried a minimum of 50 pounds in their ruck sack along with their M4 carbines. Spirits were high, with shouts of excitement echoing loudly as the first steps hit Battalion Ave.
"I'm pretty excited," said Sgt. Brandon Venier, a recovery vehicle operator assigned to Quicksilver Troop, 3rd Sqdn., 3rd Cav. Regt. "I know I'm going to finish; I don't quit. I didn't quit for air assault - I'm not going to quit on this ruck march."
Venier added that he was anticipating the challenges that would be facing him later in the evening.
"At 2 o'clock in the morning I'm sure my feet and back will be hurting, maybe even my pride, but that's not enough to make me quit," he said.
The Troopers walked throughout the night, taking few breaks to recover. Moving in the darkness, a stream of chemical lights wound its way through the back roads of Fort Hood.
The participants used different methods to keep their energy and motivation up. Some called cadence, some played music from cell phones, and everyone supported their comrades when they needed an emotional push.
Regardless, motivation was still high and the event ended with a vast majority of the participants finishing the 25 miles.
The "Thunder Mile" is an undertaking in which finishing is the greatest reward - but that didn't mean there wasn't a reward waiting for the Troopers as the end of the course.
At the conclusion of the roughly 10-hour march, the exhausted Troopers crossed the finish line where they were served up a hot steak and egg breakfast.
"This builds morale in the unit," said 1st Lt. Ryan Menges, a communications officer for Thunder Squadron. "These guys get pumped up to do infantry things. This is a good way to say goodbye to the people leaving us after deploying, and welcome the newcomers to the squadron. Mostly, we are turning the corner from the deployment into training."
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