Infantry

[wannabeasoldr16]

Is it true that some infantry units do more running than others. I was talking to someone, and I asked them how much running do the infantry do. He replied that some units do more running than others.

What units do the most running?

[krakahead69]

First of all, it's not cool to worry about how much you have to run, because face it, if you're in any branch of the army, and any mos, in basic training you're going to be running, a lot. And in the infantry, there is no one unit does more running than another. It just depends on who's in charge of the run that day, and what group you run with. They don't all run together, it's usually broken down into A, B, and C groups. A group is the fastest runners, usually the smaller, skinier people, and C group is the slower runners, the bigger people. Don't worry, the running is no big deal, it's all over within an hour.

[AbnMtn]

Let's reload a new round and fire again on the answer to this question.

There are different types of units that by necessity and nature of their mission are required to hold a higher standard of physical fitness than others. This particularly applies to specialized infantry unit (LRS, airborne and Mountain to name a few) which run considerably more than a regular straight light infantry. Simply put, the nature of the unit's mission does not allow for its members to be in less than excellent shape. These type of units usually have strong cohesiveness and team work which is reinforced by doing things as a whole unit (whether it is the company, platoon or squad) and this include running.

I was on active duty for 15 years and now with the Guard for 5 years (airborne infantry, mechanized infantry, Military Intelligence, Mountain infantry and attached to an SF ODA in Afghanistan) and what I've found out was that there's a significant difference between how much more running some units do as opposed to others.

But this is something you don't need to worry about now because in Basic and AIT the standards are the same for everyone. And once you get to the your unit they'll bring you along to whatever standards they hold (but that is too far in the future to start worrying about it now).

[Chris89]

First of all, it's not cool to worry about how much you have to run, because face it, if you're in any branch of the army, and any mos, in basic training you're going to be running, a lot. And in the infantry, there is no one unit does more running than another. It just depends on who's in charge of the run that day, and what group you run with. They don't all run together, it's usually broken down into A, B, and C groups. A group is the fastest runners, usually the smaller, skinier people, and C group is the slower runners, the bigger people. Don't worry, the running is no big deal, it's all over within an hour.

I thought bigger people had longer legs that what made them fast and short people I don't know how they get their speed?

[AbnMtn]

They just take twice as many steps as people with longer legs.

[sendkeys]

I thought bigger people had longer legs that what made them fast and short people I don't know how they get their speed?


Large people have more muscle to pull around their mass. Large muscle can't get oxygenated as fast as someone smaller. That's why all the olympic marathon runnings look like they would have a hard time lifting there glass of oj in the morning. But boy can they run :)

[LRSU_Dog]

Keep in mind that physiology is a bit more complex than size. Body strength is nothing more than the mastery of your own physique in a physical situation. Although longer legs may seem an advantage in running, road marching, or general movement in general, the transport of oxygen is determined by your physical condition - not size. In certain situations shorter legs may need to work a bit harder than longer legs to cover the same distance... but consider the phrase "work smarter, not harder"...

I have seen 6 foot + Gold's Gym gurus who could bench press a light truck, but could not complete a PT test, died out on pushups and situps and could not complete the run. Likewise I have seen smaller people use physical and mental strength (intestinal fortitude) to win races and max PT tests.

Muscle and the associated systems are proportional to size (if you do not believe me go check a human biology book) and so oxygen and nutrient transport is not better for larger muscle versus small muscle, transport is dictated by blood pressure which is determined by both the heart rate and the size of arteries and viens - also keep in mind the muscle group or groups working and those that are not during a specific activity... Aerobic activity that works the whole body makes the most muscles work, as opposed to excercising one muscle group at a time.

I am 67.5" in hieght. The fastest I have run the 2 mile is 10:36 ((no lie I can verify) 19 years old 2 year in Army ABN LRS unit). I was also consdiered one of the short people in my unit. Our 2 fastest runners were tall (72" (give or take)) and we all had the same training program.

What did I do to increase runs... Our unit had a varied workout regimen - and I always focused on stride-work while running. Using stretching and running I was able to have a stride distance that allowed me to cover more ground with less effort (fewer steps).

High speed units will run more (you should expect to able to run 5 miles at an 8 minute mile pace without a second thought any time asked) normal units /maywill not have such high requirements, although soldiers that keep them usually find themselves first in line for great training and school opportunities, as well as promotions or special duties.

[wannabeasoldr16]

Its only been a weekend since I posted this. And already I have 16 replies. I guess this is a pretty poular topic. But thanks anyway. Does any one know if the Mechanized infantry does as much running as the light infantry? Ive heard they dont but Im not sure. Two of my cousins are in Iraq right now On is with the 3rd Infantry division and the other is working with the 1st Id. They both said there isnt that much running in the Infantry. But I think their just messing with me. To bad thought I really wanted to go infantry when and if I join, but that seems out of the question now.

[ping9798]

Why does it matter how much running you will do? By the time you're done with BCT, you'll have run a lot anyway.

If your decision to join was based on how much physical activity you do on a daily basis, that's pretty weak.

[Chris89]

First of all, it's not cool to worry about how much you have to run, because face it, if you're in any branch of the army, and any mos, in basic training you're going to be running, a lot. And in the infantry, there is no one unit does more running than another. It just depends on who's in charge of the run that day, and what group you run with. They don't all run together, it's usually broken down into A, B, and C groups. A group is the fastest runners, usually the smaller, skinier people, and C group is the slower runners, the bigger people. Don't worry, the running is no big deal, it's all over within an hour.

Krakah is right about running it is like Football camp if you know your going to do alot of running and if you don;t like to or won't do it or going to worry about the don't join:eek:

[wannabeasoldr16]

Sorry abou that I guess I did sound like a baby for a while. Im not basing my enlistment on how much running will be done. Just the infantry is what Im asking about. I have a pretty good picture of how much running will be done in BCT, but I wanted to know how much running the infantry does. whether or not I can go infantry isnt going to stop me from joining.:o

[LRSU_Dog]

Trust that in Infantry you will be pretty physical.. from road marching and walking to running and crawling... Do Mech versus Light versus Airborne Infantry run more than the other... Well let's put it in prespective:

Mechanized Infantry: Yes there are drivers and gunners, and a lot of armored personnel carriers... Oh one more thing - there are a whole lot of Infantrymen who are sitting in the vehicle waiting to RUN out when they get to where they are going... and in the abscence of a vehical they will walk, road march, and/or run to get where they need to be.

Light Infantry: Same as above except without all the armored personnel carriers... sometimes a helicopter or heavy truck, but your primary mode of transportation is Leather Personnel Carriers (boots) with your hotel on your back.

Airborne Infantry: Same as all of the above, with an occasional trip out of a high performance aircraft while in flight carrying 100 lbs of equipment and 60 or so pounds of parachute... regardless of how you get there you hit the ground running...

I hope this helps clarify some things. If you have issues with running or general physical training - Infantry would not be for you. Be advised - no matter what MOS you choose you will always have to meet the Physical Training requirements of the Army, though some units may have self-imposed higher standards for training and tests above the Army standards that apply to all in the unit regardless of unit and/or MOS.

[wannabeasoldr16]

Thanks for that. you really cleared it up for me.