12 miles, 35 pounds, 3 hours
In the US Army, one ruck standard stands above the rest: 12 miles with 35 pounds in 3 hours. It is the foot march of the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Field Medical Badge has a 12-mile forced march as well.
The standard: 12 miles in 3 hours or less
The Expert Infantryman Badge pamphlet (USAIS Pam 350-6) puts it plainly: candidates must complete the 12-mile foot march in three hours or less. They carry 35 pounds of dry weight in the rucksack over the whole course — in addition to their personal equipment and water. A candidate who finishes with less than 35 pounds of dry weight fails.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Distance | 12 miles |
| Dry weight in the rucksack | at least 35 lb, start to finish |
| Time limit | 3:00 h, breaks included |
| Average pace | 15 min/mile (about 9:19 min/km) |
Dry weight: water does not count
Only dry weight counts toward the 35 pounds. Your water comes on top.
The pace is faster than most people walk
Three hours for 12 miles is an average of 15 minutes per mile (about 9:19 min/km) — faster than most people walk without a pack, on the examiner's clock, breaks included. That is why the test is hard and why it takes weeks of building up.
Rucksteady builds you up over 13 weeks
The plan builds distance and load one step at a time over 13 weeks, with easier weeks in between, a rehearsal two weeks before the test and a taper. On the live screen a ghost walker marches at the goal pace, so you see at a glance whether you are ahead of the 3:00 h limit, on the examiner's clock.
Rucksteady is an independent app and not affiliated with the US Army. Badges are awarded only by the Army. Requirements change: check the current source before your test.
Sources
- US Army Infantry School. USAIS Pamphlet 350-6, Expert Infantryman Badge (15 Dec 2022). (accessed 2026-10-20)
- US Army Medical Center of Excellence. Expert Field Medical Badge. (accessed 2026-10-20)