COL James N. ‘Nick’ Rowe, Special Ops: 10K Challenge

Do you have what it takes to become a member of Army Special Operations? Not sure – we offer you a one-time chance to find out!

Sign up for the new COL Nick Rowe – Special Ops - 10K Challenge on April 27, starting at 9 a.m. on Stewart Watson Field.  You will get a taste of Special Operations selection and experience the ultimate 10K Challenge – a Challenge all future Special Ops Soldiers have to pass! The 10K course includes several obstacle and special ops challenges, to include running, climbing, jumping, balancing elements with the aim of testing speed, endurance, and agility. You may want to start your training today!

Representatives of Army Special Operations, Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, 160th Aviation regiment, and Warrant Officer Corps will be present to share their knowledge.

Witness the remarkable skills of our Special Forces K9 Units in action; and don’t miss the opportunity to test your flight skills in the helicopter flight simulator.

Register today via WebTrac or at Smith Fitness Center – registration fee is $35 per person; price increases $5 on day of event; the first 100 registered participants will receive a finisher medal and T-shirt.

Top male and top female contestant will receive prizes at the end.

To end and celebrate completion of this challenge, we will ring out the event with some adult beverages for anyone 21 or older.

Who was COL James N. ‘Nick’ Rowe?

As the Executive Officer of Special Forces (SF) Operational Detachment A-23, 5th Special Forces Group (SFG), then-1LT James N. ‘Nick’ Rowe, along with MSG Daniel L. Pitzer and CPT Humberto R. ‘Rocky’ Versace were captured by Viet Cong in October 1963. Rowe spent the next 62 months isolated in close confinement. He was repeatedly tortured and threatened with execution. On New Year’s Eve, 1968, Rowe overpowered his guards, escaped, and was rescued by a passing American helicopter. In 1981, LTC Rowe developed a rigorous Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) course for high-risk military personnel that is now a requirement of Special Operations training.