SGM Running was born in Appleton, WI and graduated from Kimberly High School in 1981. He entered active duty in 1983, and attended One Station Unit Training at Ft. McClellan, AL, as an MP. He served nearly 5 years Active Duty as an MP in the 1st, 8th, 127th, and 564th Military Police Companies at Fort Riley, Kansas and Wildflecken, Germany. He served 5 months in the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd MP Company before enlisting in the US Army Reserve in 1988. He was assigned to the 1/274th Infantry Bn. in Appleton, WI as a Drill Sergeant and was immediately sent to the 84th DIV Drill Sergeant School, graduating as the Distinguished Honor Graduate in 1989. He trained over 1,500 Soldiers in Basic Combat Training. In 1992 he transferred to the 84th DIV Drill Sergeant School in Milwaukee, WI, and certified as a Drill Sergeant Leader, training over 500 Drill Sergeant Candidates. In 1996, he transferred to the 85th DIV(TS), Arlington Heights, IL, as the Division Senior Physical Security NCO and HHC First Sergeant. He returned to the 100th DIV Drill Sergeant School as First Sergeant/Assistant Commandant. In 2006 he was selected for Command Sergeant Major, assigned to the 407th Civil Affairs Bn., Arden Hills, MN, and in 2009 as CSM for the 432nd CA Bn., Green Bay, WI. In 2010, he deployed to Iraq and was assigned to the 17th Psychological Operations Task Force as CSM responsible for all PSYOP forces in Iraq. While in theatre he worked with USF-I, III Corps and 18th Airborne Corps. Upon redeployment, he returned to the 432nd CA Bn. In 2011, he was selected as CSM for the 308th CA Bde., Homewood, IL and in 2013, selected as CSM for the 353d CA Command, Staten Island, NY. In 2015, he was selected as CSM for the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC. In 2018, he was assigned as SGM of the Chief of Army Reserve’s Commander’s Action Group. In 2019, he was selected to be the Executive SGM for the Army Reserve CSM at Fort Bragg, NC. Also, since September 2020, he has been a Board Member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board, which serves as an independent advisor to Secretary of Defense on Reserve and National Guard matters.

SGM Running’s schools include Military Police School(31B), Infantry School(11B), Artillery School(13B), MP Technical Accident Investigator’s Course(“Q9”), Drill Sergeant School(“X”), Army Total Quality Management Course, Drill Sergeant Leader’s Course, Total Army Instructor/Small Group Instructor Course (“H”), Cross Cultural Communication Course, Physical Security Basic Course, Basic Airborne Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Unit Armorer’s Course, SHARP Victim Advocate Course, Battalion/Brigade Pre-Command Course, USACAPOC(A) Commander’s Enhancement Course, OCAR Action Officer Training Academy, Action Officer Integration Course, and the Casualty Assistance Officer/Casualty Notification Officer course. His professional development schools include PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, and the Non-Resident Sergeants Major Academy, Class 29.

His civilian education includes an Associate’s Degree (with honors) in Criminal Justice from Fox Valley Technical College and a Bachelor of Science Degree (with honors) in Criminal Justice Administration from Mount Senario College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class 223, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from American Military University.

SGM Running’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (5), Army Achievement Medal (6), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal (2), GWOT Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver hourglass and “M” device), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Overseas Training Ribbon, Drill Sergeant Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Badge, Excellence in Competition Badge-Pistol (Bronze), German Army Marksmanship award (Bronze), and the Canadian, Colombian, German, Indonesian and Singapore Parachutist badges.

He retired from his civilian career in 2017 after 29 years in police work, culminating with over 20 years as Chief of Police for the Village of Winneconne, Wisconsin. He currently resides near Ft. Bragg, NC with his wife, Jody. He has 2 children; a son, Andrew - an OIF Veteran, a daughter, Brittany; a daughter-in-law, Cassandra; a grand-daughter, Bryanna and 2 grandsons, Dallas and Elijah.

(As of April 2020)