Marche Internationale de Diekirch: How U.S. Army Soldiers Can Earn the Diekirch Marching Medal
For many U.S. Army Soldiers, earning foreign military awards is a unique way to challenge themselves while building a ribbon rack that reflects real achievement. One of the most accessible and rewarding foreign awards available today is the Diekirch Marching Medal, earned through participation in the Marche Internationale de Diekirch in Luxembourg.
Unlike many military awards that require deployment or assignment overseas, the Diekirch Marching Medal can be earned through participation in an internationally recognized endurance walking event that attracts thousands of military and civilian participants every year. Even better, the award is authorized for wear on the U.S. Army dress uniform when properly approved through your chain of command.
Whether you're a Soldier looking to add a foreign award to your uniform, a rucker searching for your next challenge, or simply curious about military walking traditions in Europe, here's everything you need to know about the march.
What Is the Marche Internationale de Diekirch?
The Marche Internationale de Diekirch (MID), or International March of Diekirch, is an annual international walking event held in the town of Diekirch, Luxembourg. The event was originally established by the Luxembourg Army in 1968 and has grown into one of Europe's most recognized military walking events.
Each year, military personnel and civilians from around the world travel to Luxembourg to participate in the march. The event is organized in cooperation with the Luxembourg Armed Forces and welcomes participants of all ages and experience levels. Literally, anyone from anywhere can do it.
The march is not a race. Instead, it is an endurance event designed to promote physical fitness, international friendship, perseverance, and military tradition.
Official event information can be found on the event website:
Marche Internationale de Diekirch Official Website
Why Is the Diekirch Medal Popular Among U.S. Army Soldiers?
The Diekirch Marching Medal has become increasingly popular within the U.S. military community because it is one of the few foreign decorations that Soldiers may permanently wear on their Army Service Uniform (ASU) or Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) once approved through the proper process.
For Soldiers who enjoy rucking, endurance events, or military traditions, the Diekirch March has many positives:
- Earn a foreign military decoration
- Challenge yourself physically
- Participate alongside military members from NATO and partner nations
- Experience Luxembourg and European military culture
- Build camaraderie with fellow Soldiers
- Add a unique accomplishment to your military career
The Army reinstated authorization for the Diekirch Medal in 2022 after a review of foreign foot march awards.
When Is the Marche Internationale de Diekirch Held?
The event is typically conducted annually in late spring, usually during May or early June. Exact dates vary each year and are announced by the organizers through the official event website.
The march is conducted over two days, usually Saturday and Sunday.
Participants may choose to march:
- One day only
- Both days
- Multiple distance categories depending on their goals
Current event schedules and registration information are available directly from the organizers.
What Distances Are Available?
The event offers three distance options each day:
12 Kilometers (7.5 Miles)
Designed for beginners, families, children, and those looking for a shorter experience.
20 Kilometers (12.4 Miles)
A moderate endurance challenge and one of the most common participation distances.
40 Kilometers (24.8 Miles)
The premier military distance and the route most commonly pursued by Soldiers seeking higher-level Diekirch awards.
Participants may complete these distances on one day or both days depending on the award category they are pursuing.
You do not want to show up to the MIS-March unprepared, especially is you're going for the 40km x 2 days. Use the 8-Week EMBRACE THE RUCK Fitness Program to get ready!
Who Can Participate?
One of the best aspects of the Diekirch March is that participation is open to nearly everyone.
According to official event rules:
- Military personnel may participate
- Civilians may participate
- Individuals or organized groups may participate
- No military affiliation is required
- There is no age limit
- Military participants are not required to carry a rucksack
This makes the event much more accessible than some other military endurance marches.
What Are the Requirements for Successful Completion?
To receive a Diekirch award, participants must successfully complete the distance category for which they registered. The march is conducted over designated routes through Luxembourg and participants must complete the required distance within event rules.
Unlike events such as the Norwegian Foot March:
- There is no required rucksack weight
- There are no age-adjusted pace standards
- There is no military-only participation requirement
Success is simply based on completing the registered route and meeting event requirements.
*Of not, most military member and marching teams will complete the march with a 35lb rucksack.
Diekirch Medal Award Categories Explained
One of the most confusing parts of the event is understanding the different medal levels. The organizers use an entitlement system based on the distance completed and the number of successful participations.
First thing to understand is that regardless of which distance or how many days you participate, if yoiu complete the march at all, you'll be awarded the bas Diekirch Medal.
After that, there are attachments to the medal that can be earned if you challenge yourself further, as well as a significant amount of sequential awards that can be earned for repeating the march year after year.
---Base Medal Qualifiers
Category 1: One Day – 12 Kilometers
Participants who complete a single 12 km march receive the entry-level Diekirch award.
This category is ideal for:
- First-time participants
- Families
- Casual walkers
- Those primarily interested in the experience
Category 2: One Day – 20 Kilometers
Participants completing one 20 km day qualify for a higher award level.
This is often considered the minimum "serious" endurance category.
Jubliee (Attachment Catagories)
---BOMB ATTACHMENT QUALIFIERS
Category 3: One Day – 40 Kilometers
Completing a single 40 km march is where many military participants focus their efforts.
A 40 km day requires approximately 24.8 miles of walking and is a significant endurance challenge.
Category 4: Two Days – 20 km Each Day
Participants complete:
- Day 1: 20 km
- Day 2: 20 km
Total Distance: 40 km (24.8 miles)
This category earns a higher distinction than completing a single day.
---CROSS-CANNON ATTACHMENT QUALIFIER
Category 5: Two Days – 40 km Each Day
This is considered the premier Diekirch achievement category.
Participants complete:
- Day 1: 40 km
- Day 2: 40 km
Total Distance: 80 km (49.7 miles)
This is the category most Soldiers talk about when discussing "doing the Diekirch."
Completing 80 km over two days demonstrates substantial endurance and mental toughness.
SEQUENTIONAL DIEKIRCH MARCH COMPLETION AWARDS
Can U.S. Army Soldiers Wear the Diekirch Medal?
Yes. HRC states that foreign decorations listed in Chart 1 and Chart 2 may be accepted and worn upon approval through the Soldier's chain of command. HRC PAGE HERE
The Diekirch Marching Medal is currently listed on the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) Foreign Award/Badge Chart 2 as the 'Luxembourg International March of Diekrich Medal.' Soldiers who earn the award may request authorization to accept, retain, and wear the decoration in accordance with AR 600-8-22 and HRC foreign award guidance. Reference Chart 2
The Diekirch Medal is currently an authorized foreign award that may be accepted and worn by U.S. Army Soldiers after proper approval.
As with other foreign decorations, Soldiers should:
- Retain proof of completion.
- Retain certificates and medal documentation.
- Submit approval requests through their chain of command as required by current Army policy. You'll do this through an IPPS-A PAR and must get approvall from the first O-5 in your Chain of Command.
- Maintain documentation for personnel records (iPERMS).
Always verify the latest guidance through your S-1, unit administrative personnel, or Human Resources Command before updating your records.
How Difficult Is the Diekirch March?
For most fit Soldiers, a single 20 km day is very achievable.
A single 40 km day presents a moderate endurance challenge that will test foot care, hydration, and pacing.
The full 80 km option (40 km on both days) is where the event becomes truly demanding. This is ESPECIALLY true if you do it to the full, unofficial, military standard with a 35lb rucksack.
Expect:
- Sore feet
- Long hours on the trail
- Variable weather
- Significant fatigue on Day Two
However, unlike military selections or timed foot marches, the event is designed to be completed rather than competed.
Many Soldiers successfully complete the event each year with basic endurance preparation.
Is the Diekirch March Worth Doing?
Absolutely.
The Marche Internationale de Diekirch combines military tradition, endurance, international camaraderie, and the opportunity to earn a foreign award that can be worn on your Army uniform.
For Soldiers who enjoy rucking, long-distance walking, military history, and collecting authorized foreign decorations, it is one of the most rewarding military endurance events available today.
Whether you choose the 20 km route or challenge yourself with the full 80 km experience, you'll leave Luxembourg with more than a medal. You'll leave with great memories and with a story worth telling.
Wrapping it Up
The Marche Internationale de Diekirch remains one of the most accessible foreign military award opportunities available to U.S. Army Soldiers.
With distances ranging from 12 km to 80 km, no rucksack requirement, international participation, and a foreign decoration authorized for wear on Army dress uniforms, it's easy to see why the event continues to grow in popularity every year.
If you're looking for your next challenge, the Diekirch March deserves a spot on your military bucket list.
For official registration details, rules, maps, and current event information, visit:
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