Before Doug Levien was the commander of the 593rd Special Troops Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the lieutenant colonel was stationed in Europe.

It was overseas where Levien began doing volksmarches, non-competitive fitness walking that began in Europe. Every weekend he walked a different six-mile route carrying 30-40 pounds in his rucksack.

For the second-straight year on Saturday, Levien participated in the annual Armed Forces Day Walk sponsored by the Sea-Tac Volkssports Club and JBLM's Northwest Adventure Center.

"Since I'm down here, it's convenient and it's a gorgeous day to get some exercise," Levien said.

Levien walked the 6.2-mile walk that started and finished at Carey Theater on JBLM Lewis Main and traveled through the historic homes - including Levien's own home in Broadmoor - out to Engineer Bluff, where pavement gave way to a trail walk and circled back through base housing.

When Levien completed the walk he received a stamp in his logbook that includes stickers and notes from the various walks he completed. His stamp from Armed Forces Day last year was next to a stamp from his walk in Bastogne, Belgium, in 2009. Levien also received a patch of Mount Rainier to add to his collection of 30 patches and counting.

Levien was one of about 230 people who participated since May of 1981 in the annual walk hosted by the Sea-Tac Volkssports Club. Participants started the walk between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the event ending at 4 p.m.

Adventure Program Manager Rick Kivett of the NAC serves as the liaison between the Volkssport Club and JBLM.

"Because of it's orientation of being outside and fitness, it's a natural fit with outdoor recreation," he said. "It's tradition."

Kivett helped the group design and mark the trail. There was also a 3.1-mile course that stayed on paved roads. The course hasn't changed in the last few years, but Kivett plans to change it up in the future to avoid on-base construction and restricted areas.

Walking partners Vicki Fraga and Cathy Senn participate in several walks throughout the year. Fraga, an Army National Guard spouse, and Senn decided to do the JBLM walk on the special day. The last time they did the Armed Forces Day Walk it was a different course.

"I liked going through the trail part where it was more like a walking trail than a driving trail," Fraga said. "It's a beautiful day. We probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Armed Forces Day."

While Fraga and Senn don't have the time to become members of the American Volkssport Association, William Girard made sure to pick up information about the group. The sergeant first class with the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade did the six-mile walk with his dog Hummer, a Chocolate Labrador mix.

"We hike every weekend and I just wanted to get involved with the group," Girard said.