Army Medical Student Organizes Ruck March to Honor 9/11

Army 2nd Lt. Zachery Brown, a Uniformed Services University medical student, organized a ruck march to honor casualties from September 11th and during the Global War on Terror.

September 25, 2024 by Hadiyah Brendel

On a balmy Patriot Day in Washington, DC, 64 Army medical students from the class of 2028 came together at the Uniformed Services University (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland. Having cleared a few hours from their schedules, they gathered with their rucksacks, ready to embark on a ruck march. This march wasn't a test of physical and mental endurance; rather, it served as a solemn tribute to the casualties of September 11 and the subsequent Global War on Terror.

2nd Lt. Zachery Brown, the class of 2028 president, organized the event. He says the goal of the ruck march was "to honor the memory of the 3,000 lives lost that day-fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, first responders-and the nearly 7,000 military lives lost during the subsequent 20 years of sustained combat operations in the Global War on Terrorism."

According to Brown, his motivation for organizing the event stemmed from a desire to create space for remembering those lost-not only as professionals but as human beings whose sacrifices deserve to be honored.

"The attacks of 9/11 were a defining moment in my life and solidified my decision to serve," Brown explained. "But more than that, I lost friends along the way."

Brown wanted to create an environment conducive to both physical challenge and personal reflection. While a traditional Army ruck march covers 12 miles at a 15-minute-per-mile pace, this event featured a 5-mile mixed terrain course.

"I selected remote woodland trails to give the class a chance to immerse themselves in nature, away from the hustle of daily life while thinking about the events of 9/11 and the sacrifices made by military service members in the years since," he says.

The shortened distance, Brown noted, offered a meaningful challenge, providing ample time for reflection while allowing participants of varying experience levels to complete the course without interfering with their academic commitments.

Brown organized the class event with support from the School of Medicine Commandant, Army Col. (Dr.) Jay Dintaman. Additionally, Capt. Derek Arndt, the Army Company Commander, who also participated in the event, and Master Sgt. Robert Jewell, the Army Company Enlisted Advisor, lent their support toward the ruck march. Brown noted they each share a deep appreciation for honoring significant military events like this one, and see the value in using these moments as a way to connect the student body to the history and meaning of military service.

Being part of events that honor the sacrifices of service members can help "ground" students in the larger mission, according to Brown. "Events like these remind us that we're part of something bigger than ourselves. They help us understand not only the historical significance of our work but also how our future roles as physicians align with supporting our nation's warfighters and the overall mission of the military."