Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide. Reader discretion is advised.
Student veterans from Auburn University and The University of Alabama walked from Tuscaloosa to Auburn beginning Wednesday.
The annual walk, dubbed “Operation Iron Ruck,” aims to raise awareness about veteran suicide, and is planned by the Operation Iron Ruck Foundation, a nonprofit formed earlier this year. Student veteran groups at both universities then give final approval and recommendations.
This year had the largest ever turnout of over 160 “ruckers” since the walk began in 2018.
Jordan Golden, a senior majoring in accounting at The University of Alabama and the foundation’s vice chair, said that beyond raising awareness, the ruck supports people struggling with mental health.
“The people that came to my aid when I needed it the most were people that came and did the Iron Ruck with me,” Golden said. “It’s there for the people that get to come out and do this and say, like, ‘I’m here to support and be there for you no matter what the cost is, whether we’re cold, tired, hungry, exhausted.’”
Ruckers walk in the Iron Ruck.Ruckers are broken into three groups that alternate walking. One group walks about a 7 mile leg of the trip before another group picks up, and ruckers are transported in vans to a rest location. The total distance is 151 miles, but most ruckers walk around 57 miles throughout the three days.
The ruckers arrived in Auburn Friday evening and delivered the game ball to the stadium Saturday before the game.
During the walk, ruckers carry 22 pounds of equipment to represent the 22 veterans a day who die by suicide — a figure commonly cited by advocates for veteran suicide awareness — though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports a lower rate.
According to a 2024 VA report, 17.6 veterans died by suicide per day in 2022, and veterans faced suicide rates over twice as high as the general U.S. population in that year. In Alabama, the veteran suicide rate per 100,000 in 2022 was 33.5, just below the national rate for veterans of 34.7.
“You’re carrying the weight of what 22 veterans thought they couldn’t carry anymore,” Golden said.
Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed the event’s start day, Wednesday, as Operation Iron Ruck Day in the state.
“Our student veterans are once again proving what sets Alabama apart – putting rivalry aside and walking for a cause bigger than themselves,” Ivey said in a statement released Wednesday. “Their devotion to their fellow servicemembers reflects the very best of who we are. I’m proud to stand with them and proud to support Operation Iron Ruck.”
Some participants like Golden, who has done it for seven years, return to do the ruck each November.
“Purpose is the biggest thing veterans are missing,” said John Sloan, who is retired from Army service and is a senior at Auburn University studying nutrition/dietetics, adding that the ruck helped him connect with other veterans to give them a purpose again.
Noah Szeszol, a UA junior majoring in physical education, felt driven to participate for the first time after two people he served with in the Army died by suicide earlier this year.
The Iron Ruck has been “truly special,” Szeszol said. He added that he has felt “lost,” not accepted, and like no one understood his story, but that the ruck brought him closer to a “ton” of people.
“It really made me feel like I belong,” he said.
Szeszol said that he hopes to spread the message through his participation in the ruck that suicide is a “permanent solution to a temporary problem” and that help is available.
“If you are struggling, if you are in pain, if you have doubt, go get help. For the love of God. There are so many people who care about you,” Szeszol said.
Looking forward, the Iron Ruck Foundation has discussed potential expansions to other schools for rivalry week rucks, Golden said.
“I only see it growing, not only in its mission of awareness, but also in its sense of building a community for those that need it,” Golden said.
If you are in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to speak with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are a veteran in crisis, dial 988 and press 1 or text 838255 to speak with the Veterans Crisis Line.
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