This past May, 12 U.S. military veterans came together to carry the American flag 3,000 miles from San Diego to Washington, D.C. Representing Team Red, White & Blue, they completed the Old Glory Ultra Relay in under 17 days — setting a record and raising more than $1 million for veteran health and wellness initiatives. Among the participants was Jordan Buck, an Army veteran and steelworker specializing in lean operations at GE Vernova’s manufacturing facility in Schenectady, New York.

Originally from upstate New York, Buck enlisted in the Army at 19 after struggling to find direction during his school years. “I didn’t really have a plan or motivation,” he recalls. “Joining the military gradually changed that.”

While his early athletic interests were limited to riding a BMX bike, his time at Fort Hood, Texas, introduced him to structured training — and running quickly became a passion. During his four years of service, including deployment at Camp Stanley in South Korea as a cavalry scout, he continued developing that interest.

Buck (far right) with teammates at Safety and Quality Week kaizen

After leaving the military, Buck searched for a new outlet for his energy. “I ran a half marathon and did well. Then I discovered ultrarunning — people running 100 miles — and thought, ‘Why not me?’” Soon after, he entered a 50K race and won it, followed by a six-hour race with the same result. “That’s when I realized I needed to take it seriously.”

Continuous Forward Movement

In ultrarunning, athletes often refer to the “pain cave” — the point where the body urges the mind to stop. Pushing through that barrier builds resilience and confidence. While it may sound extreme, Buck finds it deeply motivating. “It’s almost like a trance. Ego disappears, and all that matters is putting one foot in front of the other — continuous forward movement.”

That philosophy closely mirrors lean manufacturing principles, another area where Buck excels. At the Schenectady plant, he works as part of the Lean SWAT Team, organizing kaizen events aimed at improving efficiency and safety on the production floor.

“Sometimes we design new tools or systems to make processes safer or more efficient,” he explains.

Just like in ultramarathons, challenges are constant. “There are obstacles everywhere,” Buck says. “But whether you’re running or building something new, steady progress is what gets results. It’s about patience, problem-solving, and not getting stuck on small setbacks.”

Jordan Buck racing

Going National

Last year, Buck achieved his goal of completing a 100-mile race at the Beast of Burden event near Buffalo, New York — and, true to form, won it on his first attempt, finishing in just over 21 hours.

When he learned about the Old Glory Ultra Relay, he immediately signed up.

Supporting him was the Veterans Network, an employee resource group within GE Vernova that includes more than 1,200 veterans and allies worldwide. The group focuses on career support, community service, and veteran well-being. Ahead of the relay, the network organized a 5K fundraiser in Schenectady and contributed $5,000 to Team RWB.

Proof Through the Night

Completing a 3,000-mile relay across deserts, plains, and mountains required precise teamwork. The runners were divided into three groups of four, each covering around 62 miles per eight-hour shift — roughly 15 miles per runner daily.

Carrying the U.S. flag across the National Mall 

Midway through the relay, one teammate suffered a muscle injury and had to withdraw. Buck recalls how another team member, Jeremy — originally assigned as a driver — stepped in despite having previously been severely injured by an IED in Afghanistan. After years of rehabilitation, Jeremy not only regained mobility but became a runner.

“He stepped up and carried the flag through his home state of Texas,” Buck says. “It was incredible to witness.”

Less than a week later, maintaining a pace of under eight minutes per mile around the clock, the team reached Washington, D.C., carrying the flag across the National Mall.

For Buck, the achievement was as much mental as physical.

“Your mind tells you to stop, not your body,” he reflects. The key lesson, whether in ultrarunning or everyday life, is to keep moving forward and stay optimistic.

“Challenges are inevitable,” he says. “Instead of avoiding them, become strong enough to handle them. Take pride in what you do, keep progressing, and remember — tomorrow is another day.”

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