Training For A Mission

Training for a Mission: Team Rocky® Boots Prepares for the 2026 Bataan Memorial Death March

On March 21, 2026, thousands of participants will gather at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico for the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March. This is one of the most physically demanding endurance events in the United States and one of the most meaningful within the military community.

The event honors the American and Filipino service members forced to march by Japanese forces during World War II following the fall of Bataan. What those soldiers endured in 1942 remains one of the most sobering chapters of the war. Today’s march serves as a living tribute to their resilience and sacrifice.

Participants will tackle a 26.4-mile course through the high desert, where terrain ranges from compact dirt to deep sand pits, and elevations climb from 4,052 to 5,136 feet. For those seeking a shorter distance, a 15.6-mile honorary route is also available. Many participants choose to complete the event in the “heavy” category, carrying weighted rucksacks across the course. Depending on conditions and pace, participants may take anywhere from three to fourteen hours to finish. The environment itself adds another layer of difficulty. High desert winds, elevation changes, and stretches of deep sand test both physical endurance and mental resolve.

For three members of “Team Rocky Boots” CPT Freeman Demetrius, 1LT Caden Smith, and 1SG Zachary Davis preparing for this challenge has become a shared mission built on discipline, teamwork, and respect for the history behind the event.

Training in Gear That Works

For an event that pushes both body and equipment to their limits, reliable gear becomes critical. The team trains in Rocky Boots, relying on footwear designed to handle long miles under load and the unforgiving terrain of the desert course. Beyond boots, preparation focuses on the essentials that keep participants moving mile after mile.

Building the Foundation of their Training

Training for the Bataan Memorial Death March requires more than simply logging miles. The combination of distance, terrain, elevation, and weight forces participants to build endurance across multiple disciplines.

For CPT Freeman Demetrius, the foundation comes from long-distance running - he is currently preparing for several runs including the Boston Marathon.

“Everything is connected,” he explains. “My Boston Marathon build absolutely feeds into Bataan. The aerobic base, long runs, mental resilience; it all transfers over to the March.”

But preparing for an event like Bataan while serving as a company commander means balancing a demanding schedule. “The biggest challenge is managing fatigue while balancing command responsibilities, family, and fundraising commitments,” he says. “There’s no perfect balance. There’s discipline and priorities.”

For LT Caden Smith, the March represents the next evolution in endurance training.

“I’ve already completed a marathon,” Smith says. “This feels like the next step where I will be testing my endurance again, but this time under load with a ruck.”

His preparation builds on that running background while gradually introducing rucking into his weekly routine. “Running builds cardio, but rucking stresses different muscles and connective tissue,” Smith explains. “The key is increasing distance slowly and focusing on time on your feet.”

For 1SG Zachary Davis, the focus is simple: prepare the body for the demands of the event. “I train with a ruck that’s heavier than the race weight,” Davis says. “Alternating between running and rucking ensures I get plenty of time under load.”

The three soldiers preparing for Bataan with Team Rocky® aren’t just training partners, they're part of the same command team. That dynamic creates built-in accountability.

“My teammates are my commander and my first sergeant,” Smith says. “They push me to step outside my comfort zone and see what I’m capable of.” Davis describes their mindset as a leadership principle. “Our philosophy is to lead from the front and do hard things.”

For Demetrius, the approach is rooted in the culture he builds within his unit. “The Spartan mindset we talk about in my company - carry the spear - applies here too,” he says. “We finish together. No ego. Just effort.”