RUNNING IS A MILITARY CAPABILITY
Running skill training for performance, readiness, and lower-extremity MSK injury prevention.
“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
– Archilochos
Link to: DOD COOL
The Certified Running Technique Specialist credential is listed through DOD COOL. Eligible Service members may use available military education benefits to pursue the credential.
Musculoskeletal injuries affect 55% of Soldiers each year, account for approximately 10 million limited-duty days, and generate $577 million in outpatient care. A 10% reduction in MSK injuries has been estimated to return the equivalent of a full Brigade Combat Team to deployable readiness.
The Problem
Running is a required military activity and a persistent contributor to lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury.
By the early 1980s, military medical literature was already identifying running as a source of lower-extremity injury. Since then, research aimed at reducing running-related injuries has examined training volume, conditioning, footwear, individual risk factors, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Yet the running action itself was not addressed as a skill that could be taught, assessed, and corrected.
Running in the military has instead been developed and evaluated through training variables and performance outcomes such as distance, pace, duration, frequency, and timed runs. These determine how much a Service member runs and how well they perform, but they do not teach how to run.
Running skill instruction entered the military in 2007, but it has never been established as a standardized capability at scale. Most Service members are still expected to develop running performance without a common system for assessing the action, identifying errors, and correcting them.
The Solution
Running can be developed as a skill through a common system for observing the action, identifying errors, applying targeted corrections, and verifying change.
Pose Method® converts complex running biomechanics into a practical, field-expedient assessment and instruction system. It can be applied in individual, small-group, or unit settings using ordinary video rather than specialized laboratory equipment, making the process repeatable and scalable.
The system has been used in U.S. Army training and return-to-duty environments since 2007. Early military application reported a 98% return-to-duty rate among injured trainees and routine improvements of approximately four minutes in two-mile run performance. The same work established a practical model for teaching running within existing military training structures.
- Physical Readiness Training With Proper Focus On Technique, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
- Biomechanics Of Running Focus Of Training Course, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH), Fort Campbell, TN
- Running Skill Training Enables NCOs To Train Soldiers With Better Results, Fort Jackson, SC
- Pose Running Training Course Graduate Helps Raise ACFT Scores, Fort Drum, NY
[ READ MORE ]
Link to: Army COOL
CREDENTIALING OPPORTUNITY: The Pose Method® Running Skill Training course and Certified Running Technique Specialist credential are aligned with Soldier Common Core (MOS) and P5 – Holistic Health and Fitness Integrator (ASI). The credential is recognized as a technical certification and carries 10 promotion points.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
Complete Pose Method® Running Skill Training online at your own pace.
The course teaches the running-skill system used in military training and includes theory, practical instruction, technique drills, exercises, follow-along routines, and guidance for running in combat boots and rucking.
It is designed for individual Service members and professionals who want to develop the knowledge and skill to assess, teach, and apply running-skill instruction.
- Self-paced online study
- Lifetime course access
- Includes pathway to the Certified Running Technique Specialist credential
LIVE UNIT TRAINING
Bring the running-skill system directly to your unit.
On-site training gives leaders, instructors, H2F personnel, medical professionals, and Service members a practical system for assessing running, identifying errors, applying targeted corrections, and verifying change in the field.
It is designed for units to develop a consistent running-skill standard across leaders, instructors, and Service members without specialized facilities or equipment.
- One-day instructional blocks
- Up to 70 participants per day
- Multi-day delivery available for larger units
POSE METHOD® OF RUNNING
Training Course
Developed by an Olympic Coach, the material in this training can be immediately used, scaled and seamlessly integrated into any training routine or as a stand alone running training. The course includes theory and practice, and provides full sets of technique drills, exercises and follow-along routines. It also offers guidance for running in combat boots and rucking.
Easily customizable, it works well for personal, 1-on-1 and group training.
- No Service Obligation
- 3-12 months of self-paced study
- Unlimited Lifetime Access
Questions? Contact us for assistance.
CERTIFIED RUNNING TECHNIQUE SPECIALIST
Certification Exam
When completed successfully, this certification exam will lead you to the Certified Running Technique Specialist (Pose Method) credential. This international credential empowers its holders to teach running skill (technique) at the highest level. The certification exam is a way to assess the knowledge of running skill and the grasp on the methodology to practice personally, teach running skill to others, conduct video analysis, provide competent immediate feedback and instructions.
- No Service Obligation
- 10 Promotion Points
- Technical Certification
- Open book
Questions? Contact us for assistance.
HOW TO SIGN UP ON ARMYIGNITED
Click on “DOWNLOAD GUIDE” to download a .PDF file with step by step instructions on how to request Credentialing Assistance for Pose Method Running Skill Training and Certified Running Technique Specialist credential exam on the new ArmyIgnitED platform.
Link to: ArmyIgnitED
CREDENTIALING ASSISTANCE: ArmyIgnitED provides credentialing assistance to empower you to achieve your goals. Click here to learn how to receive funding for the Pose Method Running Skill training course and Certified Running Technique Specialist credential.
Link to: ArmyIgnitED
CREDENTIALING ASSISTANCE: ArmyIgnitED provides credentialing assistance to empower you to achieve your goals. Click here to learn how to receive funding for the Pose Method Running Skill training course and Certified Running Technique Specialist credential.
Link to: GI Bill
GI BILL®: The GI Bill covers more than just tuition. You can use part of your entitlement to cover the cost of the Certification Exam you need to take to become a Certified Running Technique Specialist (Pose Method).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Military Service Obligation
Enlisted Soldiers: None.
Warrant officers: None. Warrant officers remain eligible for CA and do not incur a service obligation.
Commissioned officers: Commissioned officers are no longer eligible for new CA-funded credential goals effective March 19, 2026. Officers completing a qualifying credential goal submitted before that date do not incur a new service obligation under the current CA policy.
The service obligation for Credentialing Assistance was removed for CA requests submitted or completed on or after October 13, 2021.
CA requests completed before October 13, 2021, remain subject to any service obligation incurred under the policy in effect at that time.
What Army Ranks Are Eligible for CA?
Credentialing Assistance remains available to eligible enlisted Soldiers and warrant officers.
Effective March 19, 2026, commissioned officers in grades O-1 through O-10 are no longer eligible for CA funding. Commissioned officers with an incomplete credential education goal submitted before that date may still request funding to complete the existing goal.
What Army Components are Eligible for CA?
Regular U.S. Army, the U.S. Army National Guard/U.S. Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve.
Promotion Points
Certification Exam = 10 promotion points
In a continuing effort to improve the enlisted promotion system, the Army G1 has approved the initiative to award promotion points for certifications to Soldiers competing for promotion to Sergeant and Staff Sergeant. Click here to read more.
How Promotion Points are Awarded
- Promotion points will be awarded under civilian education on the DA Form 3355
- The original certification documents (the Certificate of Credential that is awarded upon successful completion of the Certification Exam) must be presented to the promotion work center prior to the awarding of promotion points.
Covered by GI Bill
The Certification Exam that leads to the Certified Running Technique Specialist credential is covered by the GI Bill
How to Access Training Course
Access requires CA approval.
How to Access Certification Exam
Access requires CA approval.