On December 9, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt signed, an Executive Order No. 989, headlined “Marine Corps Officers’ Physical Fitness.” It directed each officer of the United States Marine Corps to undergo a physical examination and a series of tests every two years.

The tests were simple. Officers would have to ride a horse 90 miles, “this distance to be covered in three days.” Officers ranked “in the grade of captain or lieutenant” were also required to walk 50 miles, with “actual marching time, including rests, twenty hours.” Seven hundred yards of this needed to be completed “on the double-time”—something like a slow jog. This test too could be spread across three days, allowing the soldiers sleep and recovery time.

Order 989’s rationale was spelled out bluntly: “In battle, time is essential and ground may have to be covered on the run; if these officers are not equal to the average physical strength of their companies the men will be held back, resulting in unnecessary loss of life and probably defeat.”

Neither the Army nor the Navy, which each got their own respective executive orders with the same test, escaped Roosevelt’s attention. “I have been unpleasantly struck,” President Teddy Roosevelt observed in a letter to Secretary of the Navy Truman Newberry, “by the lack of physical condition of some of the older officers, and even some of the younger officers.”

Roosevelt  worried that “urbanization was making us weaker”—that we were living in unhealthy cities, that we were toiling in offices rather than plowing the fields. By 1900, only 40 percent of the country worked in agriculture. 

The orders immediately kicked up complaints. As historical journal The Grog recounts, “Navy Surgeon James Gatewood complained that the endurance test would leave participants in a ‘depressed physical state.’” The Navy’s surgeon general said it could put the lives of officers over 50 at risk. As if to carry the torch for his own initiative, on January 13, 1909, Roosevelt (then 51) and a small party of Naval officers set out for a horseback ride to Warrenton, Virginia, a distance of 49 miles each way. Following a 3:45 A.M. breakfast of steak and eggs, Roosevelt, on his own steed Roswell, set out into a day marked by freezing rain, eventually returning to the White House at 8:30 P.M., that’s 16 hours and 45 minutes. Roosevelt declared the ride—yep, you guessed it—“Bully!” 

Compared to politicians of today, our 26th president, President Theodore Roosevelt, was like no other. An eastern high educated individual who traveled to the Badlands of North Dakota only to fall in love with the lifestyle there, learn to cowboy, have a 1,600 head plus cattle ranch and eventually became the leader of the Rough Riders that took San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish American war. In many ways, it’s no wonder this President wanted our military to be physically fit as he himself led a strenuous life too.

Fitness equipment and ‘White Sales’ aka household linens are worth a close look, but when it comes to the Outdoors there are many items to save on during the first month of 2024!

Small Kitchen Appliances – Those items that we make the Outdoors a bit more comfortable when camping with a tent, RV or camper has our attention. Watch for great discounts on 2023 overstock, closeout items with steep discounts to add to your choice of recreational fun. From countertop coffee makers to the all-in-one combos that can pressure cook, act as an oven or air-fryer. Take advantage of the sales and save big time, our suggestion is to buy now and give even as gifts later as the summer camping season nears.

Winter Clothing – Already aisles of stores are changing from winter clothing to Spring Break attire. Be purchasing now as these deals increase, and grab great deals on the brands you love for these cold dark days of winter.

Camping Gear – A New Year means new memories to be made. Previous models of tents, sleeping bags and more are starting to be closed out to make room for new trends. Be ahead of the game, and to save on the pocket book from being hit hard all at once come camping season or gearing up for a fall hunt, buy as you go over the next few months watching the sales, overstock items and clearance aisles.