Shown here are Engineers from the 36th Engineer Brigade during a spirited Brigade–size run, held late last year at Fort Hood, Texas, as a part of the 2009 Rugged Leader Conference. Running (jogging a better word) like these troops are doing has become a common event throughout the Army. It was not always that way.
I remember back in the day when the only time for "running" was during the annual PT test, when you had to run a mile as fast as you could. There were exceptions, however, most notably in Airborne units, who seemed to run all the time—"C–130 rollin' down the strip, Airborne daddy on a one–way trip, etc, etc.". Unit runs started to become more of a standard throughout the Army in the 1980's, and of course today we see them all the time. Another thing that's better today is the use of excellent physical fitness uniform items. Anyone remember when we ran in ugly "yellow" sweats? Or, when we ran in fatigues and boots? Now that was fun, eh? BOOTS! Shin–split city for sure.
