Why does the military test fitness using a 1.5 mile run rather than an even 1 mile or 2 miles?

I know the Army uses 2 miles, and the Marines uses 3 miles. But, the Navy and Air Force use 1.5 miles, and I think the police do too. Why 1.5 and not 1 mile exactly or 2 miles exactly? Why right in the middle?Why does the military test fitness using a 1.5 mile run rather than an even 1 mile or 2 miles?Good question! Consider that a mile or 2 miles is an arbitrary distance, used out of convenience and a general acceptance, much like language. The distances chosen for these fitness tests are based on the physical requirements of the tasks to be accomplished in a given discipline. Would a pilot in the Air Force ever march as far a marine? Considering that their task is flying a plane, I would think that it is good that they are in shape but that their time is better spent doing something else.