This article has been updated from the original as of 31 October 2020; review the update below, which has amplifying information.
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ALCON:
This is a call for confirmation re: rumors about the upcoming publication of a new Army Regulation 600-8-22.
Reportedly, revisions proposed for the imminent AR 600-8-22 update call for removing the Norwegian Foot March’s status as an authorized foreign award-producing event. Is this true?
We’ve received numerous requests for clarification on this matter; we’re reaching out to the wider Army JAG Corps brain trust for any insider knowledge.
The applicable proposed language will reportedly be published in para 9-26a, where the provision that "only those badges that are awarded in recognition of military activities and by the military department . . ." will be revised to state ". . . in recognition of military activities conducted by the military department . . ."
We’d be grateful if anyone can better explain the significance of this modified stipulation (to wit, how does this language expressly preclude the NFM as an authorized-for-wear foreign badge?)
Additionally, if the rumors are true, what does this mean for past NFM participants? Will wear of Norwegian Foot March Badges earned prior to the regulatory update similarly be prohibited for wear on the Army Service Uniform?
We hope the whispers are just fake news! If you have any information, please email us at jagwar[@]orderofthejagwar[.]com.
** UPDATE as of 31 October 2020 **
With undying gratitude to the Order’s very own CPT Justin B. Hayes for leaning into the requisite due diligence, the JAGWAR can confirm that U.S. Army soldiers who earned the Norwegian Foot March Bade prior to 19 November 2019 are still authorized to wear this foreign badge pursuant to AR 600-8-22.
Additionally, soldiers who undertake the Norwegian Foot March as administered pursuant to a “foreign military exchange program” in the future will still be authorized to wear the badge.
In a memorandum entitled “Suspension of Award of the Norwegian Foot March Badge for United States Army Cadet Command Cadets (USACC) and Soldiers”, MG John R. Evans, Jr., Commander, U.S. Army Cadet Command, declared that foreign badges “will not be authorized for wear on the Army uniform, unless the badge was presented as a result of the recipient's participation in an official military exchange program in accordance with [Army Regulation 614-10].”
Frustratingly, the official memo is undated. The JAGWAR has confirmed, however, that the memo’s publication date is 19 November 2019.
The impact of this pronouncement has been sad and swift, as you can see in the screenshot.
The Norwegian Foot March is a genuinely rewarding physical challenge. It’s disappointing that there will now be significantly fewer opportunities by which to undertake it—and even fewer opportunities still by which to secure a foreign badge that heralds one’s achievement in stepping up to this task.
More analysis from CPT Hayes:
This new policy applies to every foreign badge, not just the NFMB. Every foreign badge earned before 19NOV19 is authorized for wear but, moving forward, Cadet Command assets won’t be authorized to award foreign badges—only organizations affiliated with foreign forces in their organic mission will be so authorized.
For instance: Since Fort Sill has German officers as a permanent detachment for artillery training, it can still host the GAFPB [German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge test]. And if you're stationed in Germany, of course the GAFPB is fine because it’s local.
But Fort Sill cannot specifically fly in a Norwegian officer just to administer the the NFMB. The NFMB will only be awarded (and authorized for wear) if it’s achieved pursuant to joint training with Norwegian forces.
Likely, the best opportunities to attain these distinctions will be in deployed environments at installations with a large multinational presence, where attached foreign forces can coordinate these challenges. If you anticipate being deployed, plan accordingly and see if your command has an appetite to consider these things.
The basic principle behind this new policy is that the Army doesn’t want foreign badges to come from paid events, which is what ROTCs were doing with the NFMB.
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Thanks for the intel, CPT Hayes!!!
We appreciate the analysis and clarification.