Air Guard's Training, Education Center runs model marathons

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
As the Center for the Air National Guard's premiere training and education courses, the term "walking the talk" is a value that instructors and staff here take seriously.

So when it comes to promoting physical fitness, at least two dozen Airmen from the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center ran a cumulative hundreds of miles to show they have what it takes.

The Airmen are about trained and ready for their fourth team run in the upcoming Knoxville Marathon.

The race April 7 includes a two-person relay, four-person relay, 5K, half marathon and full marathon.

Their team has Airmen competing in all categories. They hope to earn the most points in the Small Business competition. They won that category three times, running.

"We are hoping to keep the streak going, but at the same time, it's promoting Air Force fitness and its esprit de corps," said Tech. Sgt. Caleb D. Rose, an instructor for the Airman Leadership School and Noncommissioned Officer Academy here.

The Center has about 85 Total Force staff Airmen and civilians, including those from Air Force active duty, Guard and Reserve Command. Its Paul H. Lankford Center for Enlisted Professional Military Education is one of the top producers of enlisted leaders, graduating more than 2,000 EPME students per year. The TEC also accommodates 2,200-plus additional service members in other studies, and it runs the Air Guard's Media Engagement Division, its television network and satellite learning center and much more.

The common ground for everyone is physical fitness as an Air Force standard and as a hobby, said Rose.

Rose said there are many runners on the staff; in fact, their commander once ran a 5K with them.

The team earns participation points for each mile run in the Knoxville Marathon, no matter what time it takes to finish.

"We also have the full spectrum of running abilities," said Rose.

Rose said physical fitness is a leadership standard that the instructors impart to every class, in as many ways they can, even while running in marathons.

"Our physical fitness shirts say 'Fit to Fight' on the back," said Rose.