By Patrick Bray
DLIFLC Public Affairs
MONTEREY, Calif. – About 3,000 service members, along with some family members, joined Col. David K. Chapman as he led his final run as commandant of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center July 24.
The Commandant’s Run, as it is called, began at the Price Fitness Center athletic field and wound through the Presidio of Monterey, California, for a distance of about two miles. Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force units held their guidons high and called cadence throughout as they made their way to the finish line at Soldier Field.
Throughout the U.S. Armed Forces these types of unit runs are designed to be challenging, team-building activities for service members. The runs are usually conducted within individual services, but at DLIFLC, the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force all have the unique opportunity to run together.
“This reminds us that we’re all in one military, and we’re all on the same team,” said Chapman at the conclusion on Soldier Field. He continued by giving the service members and families a congratulatory “well done” along with an informal good bye. Chapman changes command July 29.