The army consists of trained police officers who carry out military functions for countries or organizations. In every military organization, communication channels are well-connected to allow access to external information. Unlike in the present where digital communication channels are used to convey information, armies in the 20^th century used officer runners to convey information from one station to another. The officer runners were trusted foot soldiers whose major task was to pass messages during the war. Even today, officer runner positions are secured in the army whereby they act as assistants to the soldiers fighting in the war by helping to perform preparation tasks. Such tasks entail the crucial functions of the officer runner as they bring the correct meaning of officer runners.

Firstly, officer runners are were trusted in passing messages during the war before the invention of modern communication technology. All countries in the world who had established armies offered positions for officer runners such that in case of war they can be used to convey messages to several places such as to the enemy warriors or to the army administration (Evans, 2016). The post was vital since soldiers could not find time to pass messages to the required places or persons. Since officer runners in the past had to run on their feet to link communications, body fitness was a requirement for an individual to qualify for the position. Besides, one had to be a swift long-distance runner to be selected as an officer runner. Currently, digital communication channels have been enhanced, and so officer runners use online platforms to pass messages from one place to another. Thus, the major requirement for them is to possess military skills just like the fighting army and to be conversant with online communication.

Apart from passing messages from one place to another, officer runners also pass key information from the administration to the subordinates. In this case, they link the army administration to the soldiers who are always business accomplishing military missions. Such messages may include adjustments that need to be done in the army and emergency information that should be known by the fighting soldiers. Still, officer runners have to be trained military officers, as they as well hang around the battlefield and they may come in direct contact with the military enemies.

Apart from passing messages related to the military activities, officer runners also act as assistants for the soldiers in the war. In this regard, they perform minor tasks such as maintaining equipment belonging to the fighting officers such as uniforms and other personal equipment. More so, they help military officers to get materials that are running into shortage such as ammunition and food. Therefore, officer runners have to be available all the time to provide soldiers with all the requirements for them to win the war. As hinted before, swiftness is crucial since officer runners have to run most of the time to provide the requirements (Stone, Heishman, & Campbell, 2017). Therefore, they have to take part in military training which involves thorough exercising.

Furthermore, officer runners act as bodyguards for the army. As the fighting army officers focus on attacking their enemies, officer runners on the other keep observing for any surprise attacks that might injure the forces. In case of such attacks, they have to face those attacking the other side or inform the military forces to be aware of what may befall them if they are not observant. Since they are also armed with ammunition, they fight in case the attacks become intense. In essence, officer runners are exposed to many risks during military attacks since they are the ones to make inquiries during the war before the army makes a move. Therefore, they have to be well-trained and fully-armed most of the time to ascertain their own safety.

Officer runners can as well consist of people with skills in multiple skills in different fields such as engineering and information technology. In this case, they provide maximum support by helping the army to perform tasks that they are unable to do. For example, some officer runners who possess engineering skills can dig and fix foxholes where the army can hide while waiting for the enemy troops to appear. Besides, officer runners who possess computer skills can help the army to trace and hack communication channels of enemies so as to investigate their attacking plans. In this regard, it will be easier for the army to attack and win the war. Lastly, officer runners can as well act as drivers for the army while going to the battlefield. Therefore they should be trained to drive in all environments since the army may go to fight in rugged places that need extra driving skills to make a way through.

Following the above explanation concerning the meaning of officer runners in the army, it is clear that they perform vital tasks, some which cannot be performed by soldiers themselves. For example, arm officers act as bodyguards for the fighting troops. Such a task needs extra military skills since it has accompanying risks. Thus, officer runners should also be trained and be armed to ascertain their safety.

Reference

Evans, N. (2016). THE BRITISH ARMY AND COMMUNICATIONS, 1899-1914. Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, 94(379), 208-224.

Stone, B. L., Heishman, A. D., & Campbell, J. A. (2017). The Effects of a Periodized vs. Traditional Military Training Program on 2-Mile Run Performance During the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Journal of strength and conditioning research.