Fitness, Wellness, and Toughness.
A Leader's Perspective
For the Corps,
So, a leader’s perspective on fitness, wellness, and toughness.
A Cadet asked me a few days ago, “Sir, what’s a good run time in the actual Army?”
So, here’s the deal….
The 2-mile run test isn’t about running 2 miles. It’s not about running at all.
The 2-mile run test is actually about measuring VO2 Max.
VO2 Max is your body's ability to perform endurance activities and is a predictor of athletic performance. It's also linked to overall health and longevity.
Combat is an endurance activity that requires athletic performance.
So, the question isn’t, “What’s a good run time?”
The question should be, “In a contest of violence, suffering, and Will Power, how fit and tough do you want to be?” What’s good enough when it’s all on the line?
Here is some historical perspective. We are getting slower. A snapshot of historical test standards for 100 points:
And, we’re getting bigger. This is a quick snip off a Google search on “Obesity Trendlines.” It’s worth doing your own research. This is no good.
Admittedly, I don’t which came first…slower run standards or growing obesity rates…it’s a “chicken and egg” argument. But it doesn’t really matter. Here is what’s true. We are slowly moving the goal posts of excellence…not to make ourselves better but to accommodate our collective increasingly sedentary lifestyle.
It’s not good for us…because “War” remains furiously physical. “War” doesn’t care that we have lots of access to cheap calories.
Now, I know what you might be thinking.
- “Sir, the ACFT is a harder overall test and we’re trying to build a more comprehensive type of fitness (#corestrength and #power). Okay, maybe. But…even if that’s true, I would worry deeply about a young officer who how is having trouble generating the minimum time of 22 minutes (that’s 11-minute miles). And again, to be clear…this isn’t about running…it’s about VO2 Max (endurance, athletic performance, health, and wellness). I’d wonder…what else is going on here?
- “Sir, I’ll have an administrative position, we won’t go to the Field.” Hmm, let’s agree to disagree. Here’s why.
One. Your Soldiers don’t care what your branch is. They expect you to lead by example.
Two. Your Commander doesn’t care what your branch is. He expects you to lead by example. I’ve done lots of Officer PT sessions, I’ve never divided PT. The expectation is that we stick together.
Three. The most stressful, most awful, most horrific deployment I’ve experienced was five months in a “Fusion Cell” (hunting High Value Targets with Cyber and Intelligence). It was really something. As I reflect on that time…I am convinced that part of what got us through it was a strong foundation (fitness, wellness, mental health, spiritual health, etc). It’s all tied together, even if your primary service is behind a screen. I promise. (I’m happy to talk about this 1 on 1).
So, to answer your question…what’s a good run time? For me it’s 13:30…that’s a reasonable indicator that my V02 Max is about where it should be to deploy, fight, and win. I’m working on it. At age 50…I’m feel like it’s a journey.
Whatever your time and score…keep working and striving and getting better. Especially here. The resources available to you are world class. The instructors, facilities, and program of instruction. You are on a journey. Don’t get discouraged. It’s about growth and progression and being the best version of yourself, the best and most uncompromising version of yourself, that you can be. Don’t allow your goal posts to be moved.
Proud of this Corps. The door is always open (email, text, DM, stop by, whatever).
See you in the gym or on the road. Beat the Dean!
Go Army!
v/r
Mike Kloepper