A Reminder of the Norwich Way

Oct 10, 2025

By c/CPL Tate Nightingale '28

The Walter Levy Challenge inspires a cadet to reach for new heights in his Norwich journey.

A person in military camouflage uniform performing an exercise on parallel bars in an outdoor obstacle course. The background features a wooded area with green foliage.

Two individuals in military fatigues walking on a turf athletic field. One is wearing a brown T-shirt, while the other is in full camouflage uniform. The setting appears to be an outdoor training or drill exercise, with trees showing fall foliage in the background and a running track visible along the field.

On Sept. 28, I had the honor to participate in the Walter Levy Challenge. This challenge was hosted by the Semper Fi Society at Norwich University. The challenge was more than a test on endurance and leadership; it's a way of honoring the life and legacy of Walter N. Levy, Class of 1963.

Walter Levy was a Marine Corps officer who gave his life in Vietnam, becoming the first Marine Corps officer killed in that conflict. He was known for his courage, his dedication to service, and his commitment to leading by example.

The challenge that carries his name pushes cadets to their limits — physically, mentally, and emotionally. In many ways, it mirrors the values Walter Levy lived by: resilience, teamwork, selflessness, and leadership under pressure. Some of the obstacles we faced were log carries, mud pit crawls, ammo-can carries, a grueling Paine Mountain hike, and the Marine obstacle course, just to name a few.

Four individuals in military-style uniforms standing outdoors between two brick buildings. They are posing together with arms around each other. Two of them are holding green shirts that read “Walter N. Levy Challenge 2025 Finisher." The background features trees and hills under a clear blue sky.

This experience reminded me that true leadership isn’t just about strength or skill — it’s about perseverance, humility, and putting others before yourself. The Walter Levy Challenge brought out the best in all of us and reinforced what it truly means to live by the values of honor, courage, and commitment. Walking away from this event, I feel more motivated to embody those same principles in my own journey as a cadet and future leader. Walter Levy’s legacy continues to inspire us to lead with purpose, serve with integrity, and never back down from a challenge.

I am extremely grateful to everyone who went out of their way to participate in the challenge. I also want to give a huge thanks to the Semper Fi Society at Norwich University for going out of their way to set up the challenge.

In The Field