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

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

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

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

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 !

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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/

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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