Fort Riley welcomed new soldiers Wednesday with a Victory Reception Company patching ceremony and a “welcome run” through historic sites. The VRC serves as a dedicated in-processing and reception unit for the division.
Army officials said the 3-mile run serves as a traditional morning formation to build camaraderie, teach unit history, and set physical readiness standards from day one. The route guides in-processing soldiers through Fort Riley to teach them about the 1st Infantry Division’s heritage.
Following the run, senior leaders placed the “Big Red One” patch on the incoming soldiers’ uniforms, formally welcoming the soldiers to the division.
