As my kids and grandkids get ready for Halloween -- I always look forward to seeing their pictures -- I couldn't think of a better way to finish off one of my favorite months. Here in Washington, October has been a month of physical fitness and mental endurance. Earlier this month some of our Corps' military and civilian members ran the Army 10-miler, while members of our team completed the Marine Corps Marathon last week. And of course, my military staff recently conducted their bi-annual physical fitness test.

Our military physical fitness tests always start by rising at oh-dark hundred (that’s military speak for early in the morning), and driving to Fort McNair in northern Virginia. There, we do as many pushups as we can in two minutes, as many sit-ups as we can in two minutes and we run two miles in a timed event along the parade field. We require our Soldiers to maintain a high level of physical fitness, because a healthy, fit and strong body goes a long way towards having a healthy and strong mind.

BUILDING STRONG!