Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. (November 17, 2024): In this photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso, Airmen complete a two-mile run on a recent foggy morning. When folks join the military, they instantly discover they must run everywhere. They run to formation, to chow, and endure endless rounds of “motivational” runs. It gets to the point where recruits wonder “Are we training to fight the enemy or run away?”

Seriously, what’s with all this running? The truth is there is probably no better exercise that involves so many muscle groups and contributes as much to overall fitness.

First, you don’t need any special equipment to gain the benefits of running, even shoes (Kung Bushmen were reported to run hundreds of miles through the African desert barefoot). Also, group runs can be done almost anywhere, making it a practical exercise for training large groups of troops in diverse environments. 

The second greatest benefit to running is endurance. Regardless of service branch, troops must be able to rapidly move across various terrains during a deployment. Sustaining these actions is considered a crucial element for combat readiness.

Another aspect of combat readiness is sheer mental toughness. Long distance running builds mental resilience and the ability to “push through” pain and fatigue, an essential quality in military operations. Finally, a well-structured running program helps strengthen muscles and joints thereby reducing the risk of injuries in combat.

The military trains to be exceedingly fit—both physically and mentally—so they're prepared for anything. This is why running is a standard component of military fitness training both as a measure of aerobic fitness but also muscular endurance.