U.S. Army Focuses On Army Reserve Recruitment Through Unique Sponsorship Of Tough Mudder® Challenge

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army – the strongest team in the Nation – will start sponsoring "Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet," the Tough Mudder adventure challenge, September 7, in Oshkosh, Wisc.

The U.S. Army's sponsorship of eight events is part of a new pilot program aimed at highlighting the unique service opportunities available in the Army Reserve to Tough Mudder participants seeking to test their mental, emotional, and physical strength.

"There is an obvious similarity between Tough Mudder participants and Army Strong Soldiers," said Mr. Mark Davis, deputy assistant Secretary of the Army for Marketing and director of the Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG).  "Soldiers understand and Tough Mudder participants certainly experience the importance of perseverance – of overcoming physical and mental obstacles by not quitting."

"Our involvement with the Tough Mudder organization enables the Army to engage a key audience about Army values and service; the ability to serve part time; and to showcase the opportunities that exist in the Army Reserve to help motivated men and women achieve their professional and personal goals."

U.S. Army Soldiers will be on-site to engage participants and assist at Army obstacles at the first Army-sponsored challenge in Wisconsin as well as seven other events in the following areas: Topeka, Kans. (September 21-22); Seattle, Wash. (October 5-6); Gerrardstown, W.Va. (October 19-20); Dallas, Texas (October 26-27); Charlotte, N.C. (November 2-3); San Diego, Calif. (November 9-10); and Englishtown, N.J. (November 16-17).  

"Working with the U.S. Army was a natural synergy for us," said Simon Massie-Taylor, Senior Vice President of Commercial at Tough Mudder. "Each event poses unique challenges, and participants – much like Soldiers – have to be mentally and physically tough in order to succeed. More-so they have to showcase leadership and teamwork skills, something every Army Soldier understands."

In addition to a new Army Strong wall at the start of the event, participants will also have the opportunity to capture their before and after experience digitally with photos provided on-site by the Army.

For more information on the Army, visit www.goarmyreserve.com, or follow the Army experience at: @goarmy Twitter, goarmy.com Facebook and goarmy Google+.

For more information on Tough Mudder, visit ToughMudder.com, subscribe to Tough Mudder on Facebook, or follow @toughmudder on Twitter.

About AMRG: 
The Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG) is the U.S. Army's national marketing, marketing research and analysis and accessions analysis organization. The AMRG develops innovative and effective ways to: connect with the American public and make the Army more accessible and understood; increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service; and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of first choice.

About Tough Mudder:
Tough Mudder LLC was founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone. Considered "Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet," each Tough Mudder endurance challenge tests participants' toughness, fitness, strength, stamina, mental grit and teamwork. In 2012, Tough Mudder hosted 35 events, including international events in the U.K., Canada and Australia. Tough Mudder has 53 events scheduled for 2013, including continued international expansion into Germany. For the schedule of event dates and locations, visit www.ToughMudder.com.

SOURCE Army Marketing and Research Group