Military Marching Part 1: Internal Battle

There is no better way to prove your physical strength and mental toughness in a very short time than by walking 30 miles carrying a 70-pound overloaded backpack in 100°F humid weather: 

Military Marching.

This was the final training I underwent at the military training camp, and it was the toughest challenge to conquer. In fact, recruits who are physically weak or unproven don’t even get the chance to participate. During the march, several ambulances follow us closely, continuously checking on our condition. Let me emphasize again — none of us originally came to the military fully prepared, and many recruits had not exercised regularly when in civilian life. Moreover, it’s not just the backpack we carry — we also wear our rifles and other gear, which makes walking under such unstable conditions even more difficult.

So, out of about 300 recruits, roughly 100 ended up being excused before and during the march. There are various reasons for being excused: some are simply too exhausted, while others suffer from heat-related injuries or dehydration due to the summer heat. Some were stung by bees, and there were cases where people suddenly collapsed because they had no energy to walk.

Today, I want to share some stories from that march. It may sound strange, but I was one of the few who strongly looked forward to it. I had never once doubted my physical or mental strength, so I was eager to prove myself through this opportunity.

When we began the march, the marching band was cheering us on with a thunderous drumroll. With every step I took, I could feel my heartbeat pounding, filled with anxious thoughts. “Can I make it?” I couldn’t help but doubt myself. But less than ten minutes in, I realized this journey was going to be anything but easy. We had set off around 3 p.m., and the sun was beating down relentlessly. At first, we intended to wear our helmets, but the heat was so intense that we switched to boonie hats instead.

After completing about one-third of the march, the unit took a short break. We were given chocolate bars and Powerade. Since we were burning a lot of calories, it was only natural that we ate, and because we had lost many electrolytes through sweating, it was essential to replenish them with an ion drink like Powerade.

Simple science knowledge here. 

Electrolytes play a very important role in our bodies. They are mineral ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium that regulate the body’s fluid balance by helping water move appropriately in and out of cells, preventing dehydration. Electrolytes are also critical for transmitting nerve signals; sodium and potassium ions control the electrical activity of nerve cells to ensure smooth communication. They are involved in muscle contraction and relaxation, especially calcium, which is essential for long-hour walking like marching. Furthermore, electrolytes help maintain the blood’s acid-base balance, support smooth metabolic processes, and are important for keeping the heart beating regularly. Therefore, if electrolytes lost through sweating are not replenished, symptoms such as muscle cramps, fatigue, and dehydration can occur, making it very important to drink ion beverages during exercise to restore them.

Also, during the break, the officers and instructors forced us to take off our boots. I had brought extra socks and changed into them. The moment I took off my boots and socks, I found out my two toes were brutally swollen, and I felt some blood circulating to my feet again.

 This is because tight boots and thick socks can compress the blood vessels in our feet, reducing circulation and limiting the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the muscles. When blood flow is restricted, metabolic waste like lactic acid builds up, leading to increased muscle fatigue and discomfort. Taking off the boots allows the blood vessels to decompress and restore normal circulation, helping to clear out waste and deliver fresh oxygen. Changing into dry socks also helps keep the feet comfortable by reducing moisture, which lowers infections. Just taking off my boots and changing my socks made my swollen feet normal and made me want to walk again. We resumed walking after a 10-minute rest, around 5 p.m.

The sun was blazing hot, and the rifle on my shoulder, which had felt light at first, suddenly became very heavy. Several people in front of me gave up, and ambulances kept passing by, which created a strong sense of urgency. Around two-thirds of the way through, one of my fellow trainees in front of me was on the verge of giving up. Then, the strongest soldier in our barracks silently took his comrade’s pack for him. Watching that, although it was kind of cringe, it was motivating enough to remove the desire to quit. At that moment, the instructors in front began marching to a rhythm and started singing a military song. We all joined in, and this fueled me more than any other rest that I had during the march. I realized how simple men are. 

When about one-third remained, we took another rest. It was around 7 p.m., and the sun was setting. The weather had cooled down, and we were on the way back. On the way back, it was much easier than at the start, and I realized that the temperature had been the most bothersome factor during the march. The path back was somewhat jungle-like, and when we crossed a stream with Grade 1 water, we saw endangered salamanders that only lived in clean water. 

Grade 1 water is the highest quality of water, meaning it is very clean and free from harmful pollutants and even okay to drink. It has balanced pH, high oxygen levels, and low contaminants, creating a healthy environment for sensitive species like endangered salamanders. This made me realize how isolated the place we are staying in is. 

We saw such animals, and the friend who had almost given up was now carrying his pack strongly and walking again. We gradually got closer, and in front of our military base, the marching band was playing trumpets and singing the song of victory. I was so excited.

Although the march was extremely hard and full of hardships, I never gave up and finished it to the end. My body was exhausted, but my spirit grew even stronger, and the camaraderie with my fellow soldiers gave me great strength. Like a salmon swimming upstream against rough currents to spawn, I too overcame difficulties and hardships. This experience became a precious time that taught me not only a physical test but also the meaning of mental strength, patience, and true victory. No matter what challenges come in the future, I will trust the self who endured this march and face them confidently.