Why does the army run 2 miles on a PT test?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 01:21:23 -0400

I always asked myself why does the army always run all the time. we run almost 3 times a week on top on a pt test for 2 miles. To me it's pointless to ever run that far. Can name one time you ran 2 miles on your life to for a reason besides the military that mattered.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Jun 5 at 2019 1:51 AM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 01:51:26 -0400

Only time I ran that far was inn the Army. I used to run 12 to 15 Miles a day long time ago.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 2:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 02:30:48 -0400

The Marine Corps still runs 3 miles. Be grateful you don't have to be tested for that distance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 3:20 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 03:20:40 -0400

Because it’s an easy to standardize, generally ‘one size fits all’, inexpensive test.
Additionally, as you note, running often is a part of Army life. The 2mile run (and entire APFT) is the easiest test the Army administers. With even a small amount of honest, sustained effort, it’s just about impossible to fail.

(*note, the military often gives tests that don’t really test real world, ‘you’ll use this skill on the job’ skills. Sometimes, and the run is a good example, a test will measure one’s ability to not quit, in addition to gauging practical physical skills).

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Jun 5 at 2019 4:38 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 04:38:27 -0400

As stated before, it is an inexpensive and equipment free way to assess physical fitness for duty.

The training for the run produces at least a minimal cardiovascular fitness level that does correlate to performance in the combat and support situations !

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 4:59 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 04:59:14 -0400

Because:
“THE 2-MILE RUN MEASURES YOUR AEROBIC FITNESS AND ENDURANCE OF THE LEG MUSCLES. "

Nobody really expects to have to run 2 miles during a specific contact event (but not out of the realm of impossibility). But protracted duration of movement, patrolling, reacting to contact does take a physical toll and your aerobic fitness comes into play. This is why a speed walk and fixed gear bicycle events are alternatives for those who qualify. You are still testing your aerobic fitness and leg muscles

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Jun 5 at 2019 6:07 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:07:23 -0400

For Victor units, it should be 5. That way, you can out manuver the enemy (flanking) without waiting for your mommie to do it for you.
There is one thing you can try. If you have been PTing a few days with running, as the Sgt. walks in an tells everyone to fall out, just tell that nasty old bastard you are a lover, not a fighter. He will understand and allow you to sleep. Becasue he is one too. Trust me. It works every time.
Over

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 5 at 2019 6:09 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:09:37 -0400

We used to run 2 miles every morning when I was in basic in '77, sometimes we'd do 3 times that amount.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 5 at 2019 6:19 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:19:36 -0400

It is a measure of basic physical fitness. If you have the endurance to run two miles (or 3 in the Marines) then that demonstrates a basic level of fitness to be able to function.

There may be a time where you need to run two miles or hump at a route step for many more. Don't fall into the mind set you will never need to do it. Your life may depend on your fitness. If running two miles is a drag, try the Bataan death march or the hump from the Chosin Reservoir back or a hundred other maneuvers the armed forces have had to do to either attack or survive.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2019 6:59 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:59:29 -0400

It's not about the distance, it's about measuring cardio vascular health. The run is an "endurance" test. It's a proxy within a HEALTH test. For whatever reason, people seem to forget that the (A)PFT is nothing more than a simple HEALTH test. It measures basic health metrics; upper body strength (pushups/pullups), core strength (crunches/situps), and cardiovascular endurance (run).
It is not a combat test and was not designed to be one.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Jun 5 at 2019 7:16 AM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 07:16:33 -0400

Two Miles? What the Hell, we ran five every day in Infantry.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 8:59 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 08:59:23 -0400

It's called readiness. Meaning the ability to cope with unforeseen situations. Stamina, endurance, fitness etc.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 5 at 2019 9:03 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:03:34 -0400

Really...?

What level of cardio vascular fitness do you think is the minimal acceptable standard?
How would you assess that level of cardio vascular fitness?
How would you maintain that level of cardio vascular fitness?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 9:39 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:39:54 -0400

Sounds to me like you just don't like to run.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 10:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:04:43 -0400

Because the Air Force runs 1.5 and we have to do everything better than them

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 5 at 2019 10:35 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:35:36 -0400

Yes I had to run with a pack to make the times for the 12 miler on the EIB test. Tried walking it but apparently my pace was too slow and I had to speed up a bit. As for running miles as a civilian. Ever ride Amtrak long distance? Some of those passenger trains are freaking long and you have to board at your specific car and yes if your late you have to run your azz down a long platform next to the train to get to the car you have to board......can be 3/4 mile to a full mile depending on where the train is lined up on the platform relative to your platform access. Longest Amtrak train that regularly runs is Auto-Train from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL. 22-25 cars long roughly a little over half a mile in length from locomotive to end of last car.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 5 at 2019 11:21 AM

SPC David S. — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:21:11 -0400

I'm guessing its circular reasoning - if you're able to run 2 miles in required time -> there's a good chance you will comply with body mass index standards -> if you're able to run 2 miles in required time. Same logic applies to the other exercises in the PT test.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 5 at 2019 11:55 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:55:20 -0400

Better to sweat in training than bleed in combat,I know, old timer saying,but in our profession (mine was quite awhile ago) the difference between catching the 8:15 train from the parking lot as a civilian and the ability to move rapidly in a combat situation is why you run,or as my old Platoon Sergeant used to say “goddamn it move people!”

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 12:58 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:58:17 -0400

I forgot to add that I run the 2 miles on average 13:08 so I am not lazy or can't do it, I just see it as that I will never run that far in my civilian life/

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 1:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 13:04:09 -0400

funny, I've seen plenty of "PT studs" that could run like the wind on the 2 mile run but couldn't carry their own body weight, much less a 40 pound ruck and other gear, for a 6 mile march. The military does it because it is cheap, easy, relatively quick and requires no special equipment. All the PT test measures is how well you can do push up, sit ups and run. It does not measure overall fitness.

Response by LCDR Keith Trepanier made Jun 5 at 2019 1:34 PM

LCDR Keith Trepanier — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 13:34:26 -0400

Read or watch "Blackhawk Down" and then ask the question again if you still think it doesn't matter. I never had to do a push up or sit up to complete an Army task either but I realized that it was done to provide me a minimal assurance I was fit enough to do my job. At least running is something I may actually have to do.

Running two miles is just an easy way to test your endurance. It is a lot faster to do that than to make you walk 12 miles in full gear for a PT test. You may never run two miles straight outside of PT but you may have to move around all day, you may have to do a lot of things that require endurance. Plus, if it really hits the fan, you may be escaping and evading, or hurrying to a safe location. Besides, two miles is not that far.

Other reasons for running besides the military telling you that matter? Being able to keep up with your kids, running a race and trying to win, being physically fit, playing soccer, running from your wife after you made her mad...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 3:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:37:20 -0400

This is legitimately a good question. Below are two links which are useful in regards to your discussion. The main reason why a distance run was introduced into military physical fitness tests was due to the works of Dr. Kenneth Cooper. He developed a test, Cooper Test (very original), to evaluate a person's aerobic fitness. The original test required a person to run as far as possible within 12 minutes. These results correlate to a person's VO2 max. With the number of soldiers that would need to complete this portion, it would be very difficult to organize and track each individual's result. Instead, we use a fixed distance that would be approximately the same cardiovascular load as the original Cooper test. Why the Army picked 2 miles, the Air Force and Navy 1.5 miles, and the Marine Corp 3 miles is something I could not find.

I would also like to add that running is a great way to condition your cardiovascular system. Your heart is just a muscle and needs to be worked like the rest of your body. Moreover, weight bearing exercise, like running, promotes bone and joint health. Running also decreases your risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack, and can prolong your life. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, running is an excellent practice for mental strength and grit. Train as you fight.

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/APRT_WhitfieldEast.pdf

APRT_WhitfieldEast.pdf

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Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 3:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:55:58 -0400

If you run, you'll just die tired......

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 5 at 2019 5:48 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 17:48:45 -0400

Maybe because we have had folks who ran/walked for days escaping the enemy. Because its the standard, since Christ was a CPL. Because it forces you to tax your body. Because you were damn well told to?

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Jun 5 at 2019 7:53 PM

SGT Carl Blas — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 19:53:11 -0400

Maybe, because in the 82nd at Bragg, we always ran 5 miles everyday, and they wanted to give us a break during the PT test. If you failed the PT test twice, then that wasn't a problem, you were sent to the Fat Man unit for extra PT, until you passed the PT testing.
In the 82nd, we always tried to take care of the other troops, so those that didn't pass the PT testing, we would encourage them by taking them out for more PT during the day, to get them in shape for PT testing.
Most did pass the next time they had to take the PT test, we never tried to kick them out of the unit, we just got them in shape, due to we were a team, and cared for each other.
"All the Way, and Then Some"!

Response by PO3 Lonnie Baker made Jun 6 at 2019 10:36 PM

PO3 Lonnie Baker — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 22:36:26 -0400

You kind of answered your own question. Outside the military it doesn't matter. However, if the fecal matter hits the rotating oscillator.... (shit hits the fan)...for the Army and Marine guys and girls, if that happens and it's 2 miles to your evac point. You might want to get there before the bird lifts off.

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Jun 6 at 2019 11:23 PM

SGT Carl Blas — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 23:23:05 -0400

SPC Matrone Plight, I'm glad you stated, "To me it's pointless to ever run that far, (2miles). To me the running of 2 miles is not the point, it's the understanding and encouragement that it can be done by the individual.
A story in the desert, we were on a hill and tanks were assaulting, the FNG asked me how do you out run a tank. Then after running down the hill, up another, and down that one, and then up another hill, he was out of breath, as well as others. I approached him and asked, " Do you know how to out run tanks now?" He replied, "YES", and whole ordeal wasn't about out running a tank, it was about saving your own life, no matter what it took.

Response by COL John McClellan made Jun 7 at 2019 9:22 AM

COL John McClellan — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 09:22:59 -0400

Like most things in the Army, there are reasons at many levels. Running is specifically an activity for cardio-vascular fitness, but it is more than that. It is in the Army's interest that all soldiers develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, overall. Then there are the leadership aspects - PT sessions have to be led by someone, so junior leaders are trained and developed. Running in particular, is a group activity, so you learn how to control a dismounted group of moving soldiers, with voice commands and other visual cues. You learn how to plan a route, how to evaluate safety, so forth. Team-building occurs. There's always more than one thing going on with most Army training.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Jun 10 at 2019 10:26 AM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 10:26:19 -0400

ARMY POLICY!

Response by SSgt Michael Dale made Jun 10 at 2019 6:55 PM

SSgt Michael Dale — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:55:41 -0400

I was once chased through the woods by a large angry critter. Don't know how far I ran but I know it saved my butt being in great shape.

Response by SSgt Michael Dale made Jun 10 at 2019 6:58 PM

SSgt Michael Dale — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:58:15 -0400

I once was chased through the woods by a rather large animal. I don't know how far I ran but the time was a good 15 minutes before I no long could. I'm grateful for being in great shape at the time.

Response by Sgt Justin Horn made Jun 15 at 2019 6:31 PM

Sgt Justin Horn — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 18:31:21 -0400

It’s called ‘building up endurance’ Jackwagon… during the Persian Gulf War with Dragons Plt. WPNS Co. 1/7 1st Mar. Div. Task Force Ripper under Lt. Col. Mattis, we were loaded to bear when finally broke out live ordnance day before ground operations commenced.

Beside dawning a MOPP suit & Deuce gear carried 9 magazines of 5.56 plus a bandolier in my butt pack, 20 rounds of 40mm for my M16/203, 6 grenades along with my AN/TAS-5 Nightsight.
Funny thing happened when deployed out back of the Amtrak running into our first firefight… all weight carried, heat endured, oil/smoke saturated air sucked in, it was immediately forgotten!
This all made possible from the multiple miles ran over the years be it in shorts, boots & utes, full combat loads prior to that fateful deployment.

Oh yeah, the 30-40 days spent at MWTC Bridgeport, Ca. humping 16 miles a day to/from training area with personal & crew served weapons along with a loaded ALICE pack a week before landing in Saudi Arabia didn’t hurt either.

After I came home from active duty hooked up with my local Marine Reserve Unit for another 4yrs because missed the comradery.
During that time and since usually run those same three miles after working 8-10 hours as a carpenter foreman in commercial construction usually 3 time’s a week just to unwind.
Keeping in shape is just an added bonus!

Response by Sgt Justin Horn made Jun 15 at 2019 6:33 PM

Sgt Justin Horn — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 18:33:06 -0400

It’s called ‘building up endurance’ Jackwagon… during the Persian Gulf War with Dragons Plt. WPNS Co. 1/7 1st Mar. Div. Task Force Ripper under Lt. Col. Mattis, we were loaded to bear when finally broke out live ordnance day before ground operations commenced.

Beside dawning a MOPP suit & Deuce gear carried 9 magazines of 5.56 plus a bandolier in my butt pack, 20 rounds of 40mm for my M16/203, 6 grenades along with my AN/TAS-5 Nightsight.
Funny thing happened when deployed out back of the Amtrak running into our first firefight… all weight carried, heat endured, oil/smoke saturated air sucked in, it was immediately forgotten!

This all made possible from the multiple miles ran over the years be it in shorts, boots & utes, full combat loads prior to that fateful deployment.
Oh yeah, the 30-40 days spent at MWTC Bridgeport, Ca. humping 16 miles a day to/from training area with personal & crew served weapons along with a loaded ALICE pack a week before landing in Saudi Arabia didn’t hurt either.

After I came home from active duty hooked up with my local Marine Reserve Unit for another 4yrs because missed the comradery.
During that time and since usually run those same three miles after working 8-10 hours as a carpenter foreman in commercial construction usually 3 time's a week just to unwind.
Keeping me in shape is just an added bonus!

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 17 at 2019 1:13 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 01:13:47 -0400

I ran 6 miles a day as a cw2 at fort ord. 1978. To be sure I was ready for combat.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2019 7:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 19:55:29 -0400

Lots of good comments both pro & con.

My admittedly anecdotal experience includes seeing folks that aced a PT test or did well with rote exercises and runs; but, couldn't ruck worth a darn and or would drop out (stress card out/whatever they call it now) of this or that because they weren't in "overall" shape i.e., an optimal mix of upper and lower body strength, speed and endurance. All needed (but not at the expense of the other) in order to (ultimately) be prepared to survive harm's way. For sure over the years PT training techniques have evolved/improved; however, I am steering clear of whats best vis-a-vis current performance standards (sic) and testing, profile exemptions & alternatives notwithstanding. At the end of the day, my take was a simple one. Regardless whether the PT program du jour actually added to my fitness, I worked out by whatever means necessary with the goal of being in sufficiently good physical (and mental) shape to be able to go:

As far as my feet will carry me...

There are countless compelling (and with emphasis added) "stories" (true/false/embellished/fake and otherwise) by friends and foes alike (as well as Hollywood/Bollywood/others) all of which suggest that being physically fit = common sense. With the caveat being an underage/overage/overweight/anorexic/male/female/gender-not-declared/handicapped/short-of breath/deaf dumb and blind pinball player (with apologies to the Who) can outwit/outsmart/outgun anyone that isn't --mentally-- fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2Xi18ArxA

As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me Trailer

Based on the true story and a bestselling novel, this powerful epic captures the incredible journey of German soldier Clemens Forell in his dramatic escape f...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 3:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 15:32:12 -0400

I never comment on here, but I just want to say I have really enjoyed this thread. SPC Plight - Read everything SFC Johnston said. He used to work for me and he was smarter than me then, and he's a heck of a lot smarter than me now. That was a clear explanation as to why we tested the way we did, and why we are transitioning to something else. To everyone who calmly and rationally explained that the 2 mi run isn't measuring your ability to "run 2 miles in combat" - thank you. You get it. I am 51 years old. No profiles, been running for pleasure and for the Army for almost 30 years. I'm not fast. I'm a grinder, but I like to run. On the civilian side - I have worked in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention for 25 years so I really like what Michelle Napper had to say - very clear and lucid. Read her stuff too. The myth that running hurts you more than it helps was always - at best - a urban legend spread by non-runners. If you can run - run. Its good for you, physically, mentally and you need to tax yourself to improve. If you cant - then don't, but don't try to talk us runners out of the benefits over walking. If walking was that much better for you, there wouldn't be runners. We're not stupid, we're just faster and we like to breathe harder. I want Soldiers who meet standards. Who can dig deep. Who can gut tough stuff out. I don't want excuses or profiles or waivers. There are THOUSANDS of Soldiers on walking profiles right now trying to figure out how to get back into running and overcome their profile, or planning their exit strategy for the Army - and rightfully so. The ACFT has some Soldiers scared - and rightfully so. But these things are standards so you meet or exceed them - not find ways around them. Never once have I been lit on fire but I still make sure my gloves have NOMEX in them. Not once have I lost an eye but I still wear eye-pro. Not one have I been attacked with nerve agent, but I still make sure I know how to put a mask on. "Not once did I"...."not once did I..." "not once did I...".etc etc. As leaders we field the "not once did I...so why do we...?" questions from our subordinate Soldiers all the time. Constantly. So we owe them the right answers. We don't let personal bias get in the way. We aren't supposed to say "I'm a walker to running is stupid to assess fitness" anymore than we are supposed to say "well that's just the way we've always done it." Or the dreaded: "There have been no SIGACTS on this route for weeks so we don't need to do the brief or PCC/PCI...everyone just load up..." No. We teach. We explain. Purpose, Direction and Motivation. And we back it up. I'm encouraged by some of the responses on here and discouraged by others. PT always gets people opinionated and fired up! It makes for a good read. It is a great thread to demonstrate how Army leaders are not of one-mind on things like they used to be way, WAY back in the day. Other things I liked in this thread: Someone threw some Loggy-shade. Nice. =) And finally - someone threw out "Jackwagon". I used to love calling people Jackwagon. thx for that. =)

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Jul 2 at 2019 7:39 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 07:39:01 -0400

Ladies and Gentlemen it is about overall conditioning. I never in 22yrs. actually done any event from PT for as many reps. cycles or distance that we trained for. I is all about overall conditioning both mental and Physical, When I first got in we done the inverted crawl it was a part of the PT Test once it was no longer in the PT Test I never done it again.

Response by SSG Bruce True made Jul 2 at 2019 9:48 AM

SSG Bruce True — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:48:55 -0400

Yes its called Combat DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Response by SGT Roger Heth made Jul 4 at 2019 9:40 PM

SGT Roger Heth — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 21:40:10 -0400

evidently you were never in combat

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Jul 7 at 2019 7:11 PM

LCpl Michael Cappello — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 19:11:31 -0400

Because they do not want to run 3 miles like the Corps.

Response by SPC Jackie Simon made Jul 10 at 2019 11:12 PM

SPC Jackie Simon — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 23:12:32 -0400

2.5 if you choose to walk fast//one foot on ground at all times //no jogging
.

Response by Cpl Gerald Tucker made Jul 14 at 2019 8:32 PM

Cpl Gerald Tucker — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 20:32:48 -0400

I hated that Sh-t! But it kept my pulse rate low for that slow trigger pull. One Shot One Kill. Hoorah

Response by MAJ James Owen made Jul 19 at 2019 1:49 AM

MAJ James Owen — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:49:26 -0400

Very simple: running 2 miles (or more) on a regular basis increases both your cardio fitness and your endurance. Specifically, it helps you put in continuous 18+ hour days, while conducting operations.
While stationed in Germany in the mid-80s, in garrison, my unit ran 5 to 8 miles per day (in formation), 5 days a week.
One result of that running program was a level of fitness and endurance that allowed working 18 to 22+ hours a day for the duration of those 2 or 3 week long FTXs.
Does running 2 miles have any direct correlation to something you might do in combat? Probably not. But, it does give you the cardio fitness and endurance to effectively conduct lengthy, physically-intense operations with relatively little sleep/rest.
And that, when you cut out all of the BS, is the entire purpose of the PT program: combat effectiveness....

Response by SFC Jose A Hernandez made Jul 19 at 2019 3:29 AM

SFC Jose A Hernandez — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 03:29:23 -0400

Based on the comments I've read it appears to me that some of U's haven't been in combat. This is the "New Army" that I hate; nothing but a bunch of baby whiners. Why this, why that, how come, what's the point. I learned from my BC Drill Sgt Conway (VN Vet) never to ask why, but, do as you're told and that my friends is the reason why I'm still alive. NOT TO PUT DOWN those 58,479 who didn't come back from Nam and Y'all should be thankful and pay RESPECT to them because they paid the highest price for us to enjoy our Freedom of Speech and Expression and quit your whining. The more you sweat running the 2 miles, the less you'll bleed in combat.

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made Aug 7 at 2019 8:49 AM

SGT Loren Hammons — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 08:49:52 -0400

Ground forces learned during WW1 - WW2 and other conflicts that the best way to bring soldiers home was to make sure that they were in good physical shape. Combat readiness is the goal along with soldiers returning home. Long foot marches led to some issues and we learned from the past that some health issues could be prevented by a well thought out PT program. The Air Force is a service that is not on the ground and mostly supports the Marines and Army. Being on the ground in different terrain and environments means being physically fit and mentally prepared. The better shape you are in, the better mentally and physically prepared you are. So that 2 miles might just prepare you to save a life of someone or yourself.

Response by SSG Richard Brue made Aug 14 at 2019 5:34 AM

SSG Richard Brue — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 05:34:06 -0400

you go to combat and your vehicle gets shoot up, the nearest help is 2 and a half miles away, and the enemy is bearing down on you. What are you going to do? Are you going to sit there and get shoot and killed or are you going to try and get to help? That's why you run!

Response by SSgt Don Vine made Aug 14 at 2019 11:23 PM

SSgt Don Vine — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 23:23:44 -0400

Except the Air Force has better facilities.

Response by MSG Reid Zohfeld made Aug 18 at 2019 11:35 PM

MSG Reid Zohfeld — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 23:35:08 -0400

Young soldiers are funny The Army used to run 1 mile and have 5 other events so things change

Response by CPL Theodore Moore made Aug 19 at 2019 10:13 AM

CPL Theodore Moore — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 10:13:09 -0400

Isn't the idea though that one should be in good shape. I remember one time we had missed our reandevouz by a few hundred yards, and everyone in our squad just picked up our equipment and ran. The sgt. in charge knew that all his troops could do it because we had all passed the base line physical fitness test, so it wans't two miles, but all that running and excercise sure paid off.

Response by SPC Ron Salsbury made Aug 24 at 2019 10:55 AM

SPC Ron Salsbury — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 10:55:11 -0400

Personally I loved the 2 mile run, it does measure ones abilities of cardiovascular endurance, and lends the soldier the possibility to out pace their pursuer in a combat evasion scenario. I does not however measure their ability of muscular strength endurance. Dealt with this many times during my enlistment, as a larger sized troop, I would be taped frequently because my scaled weight was always above military regulation. My only saving grace was the fact I could max push ups, sit ups and run an a faster time than the 100 percentile for the two mile run for max PT points. As stated below by "SFC Johnston," many people in my unit who looked fit could not even carry their ruck sac on a road march without putting in the back of the Deuce for fall outs.

Response by LCpl Gary Harrell made Sep 8 at 2019 1:36 PM

LCpl Gary Harrell — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 13:36:13 -0400

WOW that would have been great to run those set miles in the Marine Corp we had to run to a track 1 mile always 3 miles the some did in 17 minutes most were 22-24 minutes then of course a mile back.However every morning

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Sep 13 at 2019 7:35 PM

GySgt William Hardy — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 19:35:40 -0400

In the Marines it was 3 miles. When I went to the Army it was 2 miles. Either way my question is why do they have an individual run? When I first joined the Corps we had the PRT (Physical Readiness Test) Today they have the PFT (Physical Fitness Test) This is just my opinion, but I liked the Physical Readiness better for many reasons. I will stick to the main reason . . . It was a group event just like it would be in combat. We did everything in full combat gear. We carried people. We climbed ropes, We jumped ditches. When it came to the run, we ran in formation in our boots, uniform, rifle, and canteen belt. Oh yes, we also wore our steel pot. It was unit/team orientated. Then one day it changed and it became an individual event. I do not believe in a point system for passing. You either pass as a unit or fail as a unit. In combat everyone sticks together. You don't run 3 miles to a battle with the younger men getting there first and the 1st Sgt getting there 5 minutes later.

Then I joined the Army National Guard and it was the same thing except we ran 2 miles. Never made sense to me. Remember in Band of Brothers when they ran?
They did it in formation. I think all the physical activities should be that way. No score. You complete the task within a certain time frame or you fail. There is nothing wrong with helping one another. We do it all the time. Today it is Private Jones. Tomorrow it might be Sgt Smith.

I remember outstanding NCOs that were short and stocky and could hike all day long. Then they said run and now they were being called physically unfit.

I think physical fitness should fit soldiering skills and based on a couple of exercises and a run. IMO