Figure 20: Reverse

United Nations Contingent Iraq 1994 March Medal.

Figure 19: Obverse Figure 21: Obverse Figure 22: Reverse

Combined Nordic Battalion UNPREDEP March Medal.

Figure 23: Obverse, Type H

UNPREDEP March Medal.

Figure 24: Obverse Figure 25: Reverse Figure 26: Obverse, National Sup-

DANCON IFOR March Medal. port Element IFOR March Medal.

Figure 27: Obverse Figure 28: Reverse

DANCON SFOR March Medal.

Figure 29: Obverse Figure 30 : Reverse

DANCON UNMEE March Medal.

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military teams use their marches as part of their training regimen for the Nijmegen.

The idea to create a DANCON (Danish Contingent) march medal also stems from the fact that the Norwegians and Germans are officially permitted to wear their sports related medals on their uniforms. Danish soldiers may wear their march medals on their uniforms while in the operational theater.

There are no official funds allocated for marches, so participants must pay a fee to obtain the medal and certificate. The march distance varies but it is

Figure 31: Obverse NSE KFOR March Medal.

normally around 30 kilometers, if conducted in one day, which is now standard due to logistics. Each participant needs to carry 10 kilograms of equipment, plus their weapon. Marches are only conducted once during a contingent (2-3 march dates though to accommodate those on duty/leave during the first march and vise versa). The contingents are changed every sixth month, and some personnel stay for an additional six months. If a remaining soldier participates in a new contingent’s march, or if he returns at a later date and walks again, he is awarded the numeral "2" for his medal.

correctness. Personnel having an obsession for extreme sports and for a desire to obtain as many ribbons as possible, official or not, have spurred on the concept of the death march in addition to the regular march.

The round Danish March medals are a uniform 33mm in diameter. Initially, the medals

were bronze, but that is no longer the case. Over the years this changed to silver and gilt.

Figure 32: Obverse DANCON FMP March Medal.

There are three distinct types of medals: (1) the march medal (Figures 7 to 32 and 34 to 46); (2) the marathon medal (Figures 47 to 48); and (3) the death march or 100 km medal (Figures 49 to 56). All are

mounted on the distinctive Danish pentagonal ribbon (Figure 33).

The United Nations Guard Contingent (UNGC) medal

with the clasp, IRAQ, was also issued in gold to the founder of the march. The SFOR Death March medal was also used for the KFOR Death March. The only other march medal with a clasp is the modern day Iraq medal with the clasp, NSE. The medals identified as Nordic Battalion pieces refer to joint venture missions between the Danes and Swedes, who have their own system of march medals. Hopefully this will clear up the status of these medals, which are often noted as "official" by some commentators.

According to national administrative regulations the whole contingent sent on a mission is called a DANCON. This typically comprises staff officers to the mission’s HQ, a Battalion, an National Support Element (NSE), and a Military Police Detachment (MPDET). The Battalion, which is the biggest component and has the most logistical assets, conducts the march on behalf of the whole contingent. In a recent development, the NSEs have created their own marches because they are often situated far from the Battalion and it is difficult for them to participate in the Battalion march.

The latest development, beginning with Denmark’s NATO SFOR assignment in the Former Yugoslavia, is the 100 km in 24 hours or the death (Jette) march. The Jette is a mythical Norse giant. Its likeness is on the obverse of the Jette march medal. The name was used because"death march" lacked a certain political

Vol. 56, No. 3

Figure 33: Master Sergeant wearing march medals.

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Figure 34: Obverse Figure 35: Reverse

DANCON KFOR March Medal.

Figure 36: Obverse Figure 37 : Reverse

DANCON Task Force FOX (Macedonia) March Medal.

Figure 38: Obverse Figure 39: Reverse

DANCON Task Force Fox 2nd Contingent March Medal

Figure 40: Obverse Figure 41 : Reverse

DANCON AFOR March Medal.

Figure 42: Obverse Figure 43: Reverse

DANCON ISAF March Medal.

Figure 44: Obverse Figure 45 : Reverse

DANDET Kyrgystan March Medal.

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