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Tips for ruck marching. Im just starting. I leave for basic training next month at ft benning and i know ruck marching is a big thing. Any tips in starting out like weight and distance?
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Rucking
Basic Training
Rucking Basic Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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Start slow at the local park, wear a boot, Bring a heavy backpack and keep on practicing.
I'll start out aleast 1 mile march, 50 pound bag.
I'll start out aleast 1 mile march, 50 pound bag.
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Make sure the weight is as high on your back as you can get it. Don't do any of the shit that kids do now days with the backpacks hanging as low as they can get. The higher the weight is the more balance you have in carrying your ruck. I'm not sure how much weight is the required amount any more, but from SAPPER Leader Course June/July 1987 we were required 80 pounds. So training for the course included ruck runs with a starting weight of 80 pounds. By the time we left for the course we were carrying rucks at 120+ pounds, when we got to the school we were glad we had gone through that tough of training. This is back when it was for 12B E-4(P) to E-7, and up to O-3 Combat Engineer officers, and we went as a unit. I don't know what the requirements are now but the ruck marches and ruck runs were definitely worth the pain.
So, when you do ruck marches with 30-40 pounds just remember the news shows that had US troops doing the ruck sack shuffle in Iraq and Afghanistan, you never know when you may have to carry a buddy off the battlefield to get him/her aid.
I hope that answers your question with some real world scenarios. A good way to think of it is this, High and Tight, Weight high, and straps tight.
So, when you do ruck marches with 30-40 pounds just remember the news shows that had US troops doing the ruck sack shuffle in Iraq and Afghanistan, you never know when you may have to carry a buddy off the battlefield to get him/her aid.
I hope that answers your question with some real world scenarios. A good way to think of it is this, High and Tight, Weight high, and straps tight.
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MSG David Johnson
Good luck on your training.
I went trhough a 30 day PLDC course which was 90% sitting in the classroom, after the course I had 30 days to get in shape for SLC (Papper). My Platoon Sergeant told me if he saw me without a ruck in the time leading up to SLc then I wouldn't be going, so I walked around Ft Lewis with my ruck, 8 hours a day.
So again, good luck on your training and it's good you are taking the initiative to get in shape now.
I went trhough a 30 day PLDC course which was 90% sitting in the classroom, after the course I had 30 days to get in shape for SLC (Papper). My Platoon Sergeant told me if he saw me without a ruck in the time leading up to SLc then I wouldn't be going, so I walked around Ft Lewis with my ruck, 8 hours a day.
So again, good luck on your training and it's good you are taking the initiative to get in shape now.
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Things that helped me:
Wear your black sock liners under your green socks.
Pack all your heavy shit at the top.
Sling your ruck as high as possible.
Tighten it down as tight as it will go.
Tape all the straps down.
Camelback IN the ruck, at the very top, under the flap with the hose hanging down over your shoulder.
Dont think about the walk: Sing songs in your head, use the time to reflect and think.
Remember; it's just a walk. Just keep moving and never give up.
Your packing list is mandatory, but HOW you pack it is up to you.
Distance is 2, 4, 8, then 12. Easy distances. Just keep moving and you'll be fine.
Wear your black sock liners under your green socks.
Pack all your heavy shit at the top.
Sling your ruck as high as possible.
Tighten it down as tight as it will go.
Tape all the straps down.
Camelback IN the ruck, at the very top, under the flap with the hose hanging down over your shoulder.
Dont think about the walk: Sing songs in your head, use the time to reflect and think.
Remember; it's just a walk. Just keep moving and never give up.
Your packing list is mandatory, but HOW you pack it is up to you.
Distance is 2, 4, 8, then 12. Easy distances. Just keep moving and you'll be fine.
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Just go at it. Bust through it and get it done. Once you get to your Unit, and have the lack of forethought to do things like Bataan, you can start doing the socks/Gold Bond/insoles and new soles on your boots.
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