Posted on Jul 21, 2018
What kind of physical training should I include in my regimen while preparing for Civil Affairs Assessment & Selection (CAAS)?
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I’m a 68C and I am looking to reclass to CA. I’ve commited to enjoying the suck of working shift work and still getting in shape for CAAS and have started doing the THOR3 plan. I’m looking for guidance as to what kind of activities do I need to be prepared for for CAAS and the CAQC. I know CA is pretty tight lipped about the selection and the Q-course, which is a good thing. I’m just looking for a more general what kind of physical activities I need to prepare for. 68C work in hospitals so moving from MEDCOM to FORSCOM is gonna be an entirely new beast. Do I need to be proficient at Climbing ropes? Swimming? pull-ups/Chin-ups? Anything I haven’t said. Also, I know the requirements are a 240 pt score but what would be score that most candidates would be hitting before heading to CAAS? Just so I can better gauge my own preparedness.
Posted in these groups: 
Civil Affairs
38B: Civil Affairs Specialist
Civil Affairs Qualification Course
Civil Affairs 38B: Civil Affairs Specialist Civil Affairs Qualification Course
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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All the people I had who went and were selected all came from the 82nd, and they said it was relatively easy. The ones I know who came from leg units, said it was hard and came back as non selects.
I'd look at being closer to a 270 APFT as a baseline, with PERFECT form pushups and sit-ups. I suggest training to a metronome. When they say 240 requirement, they mean if everything else is shit hot, 240 is acceptable. 240 is the bottom of the barrel and if CA SLC has the same requirements as SF SLC, it's a requirement to pass SLC. Actually saw a guy get QMPed from the Army for failing out of SF SLC by getting a 279 APFT, and failing the APFT because he only got 79 points on the run.
Second would be rucking with approximately 55 pounds dry weight (prior to water) through sand and hills at less than a 15 minute per mile pace.
Third, it's an Airborne MOS, you need to be able to do Pullups. I know, airborne school recently changed to the flexed arm hang.... Don't be that guy who can't do six Pullups.
I'd look at being closer to a 270 APFT as a baseline, with PERFECT form pushups and sit-ups. I suggest training to a metronome. When they say 240 requirement, they mean if everything else is shit hot, 240 is acceptable. 240 is the bottom of the barrel and if CA SLC has the same requirements as SF SLC, it's a requirement to pass SLC. Actually saw a guy get QMPed from the Army for failing out of SF SLC by getting a 279 APFT, and failing the APFT because he only got 79 points on the run.
Second would be rucking with approximately 55 pounds dry weight (prior to water) through sand and hills at less than a 15 minute per mile pace.
Third, it's an Airborne MOS, you need to be able to do Pullups. I know, airborne school recently changed to the flexed arm hang.... Don't be that guy who can't do six Pullups.
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Thanks for responding. I’ve already attended CAAS but I can say this is pretty accurate.
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First, you are going to move from MEDCOM to USASOC for this transition, not FORSCOM. Rucking with a 55 lb ruck for beyond 12 miles at minimum 15 min/mile pace, and on unimproved roads, not asphalt. Pullups for sure, make sure your APFT is perfect, as in 300 with perfect pushups, find the strictest grader for an APFT and have them grade you. Your goal is overall fitness, not just a pefect APFT and good ruck. Be able to run more than just 2 miles at a good pace, have good upper body strength.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you for reaching out. This provides a ton of beneficial info. Definitely have a lot to work on MEDCOM only really cares about you at least hitting 180, so PT is weak and nonexistent at my hospital.
Would you recommend staying with THOR3 or moving to something else?
Would you recommend staying with THOR3 or moving to something else?
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THOR3 is amazing. That workout was deigned but civilian athletic trainers who used to work for major league sports teams, and now work for USASOC. Use it well, you may also supplement with extra rucks and other exercises. Do not kill yourself with an 80 lb rucksack, 65# tops is all you need. You will definitely need to supplement any "PT" that your unit does, I imagine its probably PRT which is useless, and like you said, happy with a 180. You need to be dissatisfied with a 240, easily maxing every test.
Have 2 sets of boots that you will bring to CAAS, and get them broken in perfectly, you don't want something as trivial as a set of boots to be the reason you quit or get med dropped. Something as simple as that will be noticed by cadre and they will see you as someone who doesn't prepare properly.
Have 2 sets of boots that you will bring to CAAS, and get them broken in perfectly, you don't want something as trivial as a set of boots to be the reason you quit or get med dropped. Something as simple as that will be noticed by cadre and they will see you as someone who doesn't prepare properly.
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Get as close to a 300 APFT score as you can. If you're worried about getting a 240 then you have some work to do. You should be able to complete a 12 mile ruck (35 lbs dry) in about 2:30 and a 5 mile run in under 40 minutes. Those times are well below the cut-off, but if you can get close to those times then you will be set-up for success. As far as the other events during assessment, just eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and don't be unprofessional to your teammates.
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