Photo above: The team in their uniforms, which includes running shoes (not marching boots)

Running is Good for Morale
The Marine Barracks running team are a group of athletes from every skill level with one thing in common - they're all rough and tough United States Marines.

"This team began as a way for Marines to become better runners, have fun and become acquainted with others," said Gunnery Sgt. Robert T. Kruger, the team's founder and coach. "We're not elite athletes. We're from all walks of life and all levels of experience. Every one of us pushes our teammates to improve," he said. "We have all improved our five-kilometer and 10- kilometer times."

Staff Sgt Jennifer Mills, who began as a "non-runner" this spring, has gone from jogging three miles with difficulty to running nine miles with ease. "I'm not a runner naturally, but I've been pushed hard by my teammates," said Mills.

Staff Sgt. Josue Santoyo explains, "Running as a team has been great incentive for all of us to improve and we get motivated on highly visible training courses. The team runs from our Capitol Hill location at the Marine Barracks in southeast Washington and presents a positive, sharp image of the Marine Corps."

When the team arrives at a race, the volume level goes up, Mills said. "We'll all show up in our team uniforms," she said. "Someone will say, 'the Marines are here!' There'll be 'oorahs' and cheering from the crowd. I think just being visible and interacting with other runners helps our relationship with the community."

Whether challenging themselves or others, the team likes to represent the US Marine Corps in a strong, competitive manner. "We love to perform at 110% effort," Kruger said. "We are consummate professionals, and it should show in our determination to achieve success in any mission."

In the true spirit of the United States Marine Corps, this team leaves no one behind. "Those that finish first remain on the course and cheer on the the other team members until the last one crosses the line," said Kruger. "We're always shouting and motivating each other," Rodriguez added. "And it works."

Rodriguez's eyes gleam with a compulsion to be the best, a sentiment familiar to all devil dogs. These Marine warrior athletes keep attacking the streets of Washington. "Even when we are fatigued, we run faster in public," said Rodriguez. "We represent the Marine Corps and we want to look good."

The team enjoys hearing an enthusiastic "go get 'em" or "thank you" from spectators as they run down Pennsylvania Avenue or past the Lincoln Memorial. Their barracks on Capitol Hill brings them in contact with tourists visiting the nation's capital. "Our running team generates awareness that we are approachable - we're people just like them."

On July 24, the team challenged itself with the Riley's Rumble Half Marathon in Poolesville, MD. The Marines took on rolling hills and summer humidity to finish the 20 kilometer run with a team average of two hours. It was the longest distance the team had competed in since the beginning of training this year and the first half marathon for most of the athletes. "Half the course was hills, but the scenery was awesome," Santoyo said. "We did better than we expected and had a great time doing it."

Look for the whole team to make an impression at this December's All-Marine Cross Country Championship held in San Diego, Calif.

About Marine Barracks, Washington, DC: On March 31, 1801 newly-inaugurated President Thomas Jefferson rode out with Lieutenant Colonel William Ward Burrows, the second Commandant, to locate a site for a Marine Barracks "within easy marching distance of the Capitol."

Located at square 927 in Southeast Washington, D.C., "The Oldest Post of the Corps" is bound by "G," "I," 8th and 9th streets. The areas on the south and east sides were used for offices, maintenance facilities and living quarters for the troops, and the officers lived in a building on the west side.

The Home of the Commandants is the only original building still standing as it was in the 19th century. It was one of the few buildings not burned by the British when they sacked the Capitol during the War of 1812. The house now holds the title as the oldest public building in continuous use in the nation's capital.

Both the barracks site and the Home of the Commandants were designated National Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1976. During our nation's Bicentennial, the Home of the Commandants and the Barracks were re-designated as National Historic Landmarks by the Department of the Interior.

Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., is home to more than 1,100 Marines, Sailors and civilians. The Barracks performs infantry, special security and ceremonial missions, and is comprised of the following units:

Security Company is an infantry company based at Naval Support Facility, Thurmont, Md. The company provides security and protection for the Presidential Retreat.

Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., has many diverse missions. The "Evening Parade" and "Sunset Parade" are undoubtedly the two best-known ceremonies conducted by the barracks. Of equal importance are the numerous ceremonies performed throughout the National Capital region, including armed forces full honors arrivals, departures and wreath ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon, and Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Barracks Marines participate in hundreds of ceremonies annually.

The Marine Barracks has also been home of the United States Marine Band since 1801. Shortly after its formation, the Band was requested to play for President John Adams at the Executive Mansion. This White House engagement began a tradition which became so established that today the names "Marine Band" and "President's Own" are synonymous. It was at the barracks that John Philip Sousa, during the time he was the director of the Marine Band, wrote many of his immortal marches.

Today's barracks Marines perform a variety of tasks in support of our diverse missions. These include light infantry training, ceremonies, and presidential support duty. A company of "8th and I" Marines serves at Camp David; another serves at the U.S. Naval Academy. The barracks is also home to the Marine Corps Institute - the Corps' distance training center, which is responsible for all nonresident military education programs.

For nearly 200 years, the Barracks has been symbol of professionalism, discipline, and esprit de corps to United States Marines.

Photo above: Running sharp on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.