The event is named after the “Hard Hitter” Award, introduced in 2006 by the leadership of Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 043 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Baghdad, Iraq.  The purpose of the award was to honor the best performing, most dependable, and hardest working operator each week. SSG David B. Roten Jr. was awarded the weekly “Hard Hitter” Award more than any other member of ODA 043. Subsequently, SSG Roten was recognized and honored as ODA 043’s first annual “Hard Hitter” Awardee and was presented with the coveted and hard-earned sledgehammer, which is reflected in the Hard Hitter GORUCK patch.

In honor of SSG Roten’s ultimate sacrifice, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) carried on ODA 043’s “Hard Hitter” Award tradition by awarding its very own “Dave Roten Hard Hitter” Award to one man from the 100 men in the Company each year.  The “Dave Roten Hard Hitter” award will hang in Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) forever.

In 2018, the Hard Hitter event raised more than $25,000 for the Green Beret Foundation, exceeding our goal and honoring Dave and our heroes in the process.

Our goal: $25,000

$1,120 Raised 22.32%
Proceeds benefit the Green Beret Foundation.

Get ready.

Special thanks to

Our Sponsors .

We are grateful for the support of our generous sponsors.
The Green Beret Foundation provides direct and continuous support to the Green Beret Community and its families. The Green Beret Foundation facilitates the transition of Green Berets and their families whether that transition is from wounds sustained in combat, illness, injury or “merely” from numerous deployments and/or retirement.