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Bataan Memorial Death March
Official Rules

Division Eligibility

• Non-military categories are open to anyone, whether you are in the military or civilian. If you are in the military but wish to enter a non-military category you may.

• Military categories are only open to certain military ID card holders. Eligible cardholders include active duty military, Reserves, National Guard and retirees. Dependents may not enter military categories unless they themselves also fall into one of the previously mentioned groups.

• ROTC/JROTC may enter in the non-military or their respective ROTC categories.

• All individuals in a military category must comply with AR 670-1, "Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia."

Individual or Team Military Divisions

• Participants will wear BDUs or their service equivalent uniform.

• Non-standard T-shirts may be worn in place of the regulation T-shirts.

• Participants must be in full uniform during the opening ceremony at the start of march. Only uniform tops and headgear may be removed along the route as desired. Boots may not be exchanged for any other footgear along the route.  Anyone caught violating this rule will be disqualified.

• Footwear is limited to military service recognized boots. Consult your service regulations. Hi-Tech style boots may be worn only if authorized by individual service regulations or commander.

• No Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) or helmets are required in the heavy divisions.

• Military light divisions require each participant to wear an LBE, Load Carrying Equipment (LCE), combat web gear or their service equivalent of individual load carrying equipment with at least a pistol belt, suspenders and one canteen OR, a hydration pack may be worn in lieu of the LBE with canteen.

• All participants in these divisions will have a full quart of water at the start of the march.  Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

• Pioneering poles and hiking sticks are not authorized in any military division.

• Numbers will be attached to the front of the uniform only.  There will be a checkpoint along the route.  Numbers will be attached to the front of the uniform or risk disqualification.

• Timing chips must be attached to marcher's footwear lacing and must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each marcher receives during inprocessing is theirs to keep.  It does not have to be returned at the end of the march.

ROTC / JROTC  Divisions

• Senior ROTC team uniform requirements are the same as their respective military light or heavy counterpart.   

• Junior ROTC team category uniform is civilian footwear and trousers with a distinctive team T-shirt. Team members will remain in uniform throughout the duration of the march.

• In the JROTC team category, instructors may march with the cadets as a team member.

• Timing chips must be attached to marcher' s footwear lacing and must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each marcher receives during inprocessing is theirs to keep.  It does not have to be returned at the end of the march.

Individual or Team Non-military Divisions

• Participants registered in any non-military category may wear any footwear or attire, except a complete recognized military uniform, appropriate for road marching through the desert.

• Individual components of military type clothing (i.e. BDU trousers, military boots, military headgear, etc.) may be worn, but the participant must be easily distinguishable as a non-military entrant by finish line personnel.

• Teams representing organizations such as police or fire units may wear uniforms.  Uniform fabric should be appropriate for a march through desert terrain during possibly warm weather. Distinctive unit T-shirts are encouraged in lieu of uniforms made of inappropriate, heavy or dark-colored material.

• While all mandatory water requirements for this division have been lifted, we highly recommend each participant carry at least one quart of water along the route at all times.

• Timing chips must be attached to marcher's footwear lacing and must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each marcher receives during inprocessing is theirs to keep.  It does not have to be returned at the end of the march.

Heavy Divisions

• Marchers in the heavy division must have a minimum of 35 pounds in their rucksacks/backpacks, which will be weighed and verified at the finish line.  The 35 pounds cannot include rocks, sandbags (unless securely taped shut), logs, water or other items which could be picked up along the route.  Marchers with less than 35 pounds will be disqualified from the competition.

• Timing chips must be attached to marcher's footwear lacing and must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each marcher receives during inprocessing is theirs to keep.  It does not have to be returned at the end of the march.

 Teams

• Teams will consist of 5 members - no more, no less.  All members must cross the finish line within 20 seconds of each other. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

• Any team finishing with less than 5 members will be disqualified.  No team will abandon or leave behind a member.  If a team member cannot continue, it is the team’s duty to ensure that they are left in the care of an aid station.  Leaving a comrade behind is not in the spirit of Bataan or the military service of the United States of America.  Once a team member is left in the care of medical personnel, the remainder of the team may choose to complete the course, however, the entire team is disqualified from placing.

• Coed teams must have at least one member of each gender.

• The team captain or a team representative must attend one of the team captain briefings conducted during in-processing. Any team not meeting this requirement may face disqualification.

• Only team captains will report to march officials with any discrepancies or grievances prior to the conclusion of the march.  March officials will make final decisions on all discrepancies or grievances.

• Timing chips must be attached to marcher's footwear lacing and must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each marcher receives during inprocessing is theirs to keep.  It does not have to be returned at the end of the march.

Miscellaneous

• No pets or strollers are allowed on the route.

• CD players, boom boxes, etc., are allowed only if headphones are used.

•  Removal of signs or other markers is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.

Good sportsmanship is expected at all times!