Unit run


The unit run is a United States military tradition wherein an entire unit
of service members run in an organized formation along a set route. The run is normally conducted on a military post on streets that are closed to traffic. Many units conduct the unit run before or around sunrise during the week. Distance and pace of the run depend on the terrain, weather, and overall fitness level of the unit. Military units can vary greatly in size. Larger units tend to run slower than smaller groups. However, since the primary purpose of the unit run is the development of esprit de corps, speed is not important. It is considered more important that the group stay together as a coherent formation.
Since a large unit can be unwieldy in a single formation, it is normally divided into its constituents.
A distinguishing feature of the unit run is the use of the unit's colors at the front of the formation. The Commanding Officer will be at the front of the column. The colors will be just behind. It is common for the staff officers to run immediately behind the commander, followed by the smaller unit formations.

Purpose

The established reasons for having a unit run include:
Unit runs are often performed to mark an anniversary or holiday, or simply to maintain camaraderie and adhesion within the unit.

Military traditions

Traditions vary among battalions, but the following are some of the most common.