Army ruck march begins at Camp Roberts, passes Fort Hunter Liggett
Five-day event commemorates Army’s 250th birthday across central California
– A 250-mile ruck march commemorating the Army’s 250th birthday will begin May 7 at Camp Roberts in San Miguel and pass through Fort Hunter Liggett in Jolon before concluding May 11 at Parks Reserve Forces Training Area in Dublin.
The march will also travel through King City, Presidio of Monterey, and the headquarters of the 63rd Readiness Division. The event is open to military personnel, veterans, and civilians.
Organizers have divided the continuous march into five-mile segments. Participants may complete more than one segment. A support vehicle will follow the group for safety. Civilians are not required to carry a ruck, but military participants must be in uniform and carry one.
Camp Roberts, where the march begins, was once the largest basic training center on the West Coast during World War II. The route then continues through Central California’s ranchlands and vineyards before reaching Fort Hunter Liggett, the largest Army Reserve installation in the state and seventh largest in the nation. Fort Hunter Liggett has served as a testing ground for Army equipment and aircraft.
From there, the march passes Fort Ord Monument and arrives at the Presidio of Monterey, home to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. It remains the last active-duty military installation among California’s original presidios.
The route continues along the Pacific Coast Highway and into Silicon Valley, the area of operation for the 63rd Readiness Division. The march ends at Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, formerly known as Camp Parks.
Flag hand-off ceremonies between garrison commanders will take place at the following times and locations. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early:
- Kickoff: Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 a.m., Camp Roberts, San Miguel
- First flag transfer: Wednesday, May 7 at 9:30 p.m., Fort Hunter Liggett, Jolon
- Second flag transfer: Friday, May 9 at 8:30 a.m., Presidio of Monterey, Monterey
- Third flag transfer: Saturday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m., 63rd Readiness Division headquarters, Moffett Field
- Closing ceremony: Sunday, May 11 at 10:45 a.m., Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Dublin
