August A&S 15-3

[Young_devil1214]

@Young_devil1214 - Are you still stuck in Oki? Otherwise track down an REI, their land nav classes are really good.

Yup still stuck in oki. I was hoping the Jungle Warfare Training Center would help with land nav, but they only offer it with unit level training, so that's a no go. Air wing was the worst decision I ever made.

I guess I'll just have to use the online resources and learn as much as I can before being assessed on it.

 

[Derdang]

Search for orienteering tips, http://qoc.nova.org/5_skills.htm
Like the ones in the link, search each tip to get a better understanding of each one.

 

[Young_devil1214]

^^ Thank you very much.

 

[Young_devil1214]

Update on times.


Ran a PFT yesterday in 20:37 then completed the short card in 14:49 and then swam 300m in 7:30.

Goal is take another 40 seconds off that PFT.

6 mile ruck the other day in 1:08. Damn near died it was so hot out.

At 17 strict overhand pullups but I can switch to underhand after 17 and complete 6 more strict underhand.

I'll test my 300 in cammies tomorrow but I'm no longer worried about swimming.

I also still love my meathead workouts but I only do two a week and strictly after a metcon or a long run.

I'm really not liking my ruck times. After 6 miles I can't keep my average under 12:15 ish miles. Anything under 6 and I can keep them under 12. Idk if it's the humidity, or the consistent incline but I need to figure this out. I only have 4 more long rucks before evaluation time.

 

[Young_devil1214]

Also I got a list of all the Oki guys for 16-1 and 15-3, I just sent out an e-mail about a group 9 mile ruck this Saturday morning on Camp Foster. Just in case I missed any that are on this site PM me.

 

[Derdang]

Update on times.


Ran a PFT yesterday in 20:37 then completed the short card in 14:49 and then swam 300m in 7:30.

Goal is take another 40 seconds off that PFT.

6 mile ruck the other day in 1:08. Damn near died it was so hot out.

At 17 strict overhand pullups but I can switch to underhand after 17 and complete 6 more strict underhand.

I'll test my 300 in cammies tomorrow but I'm no longer worried about swimming.

I also still love my meathead workouts but I only do two a week and strictly after a metcon or a long run.

I'm really not liking my ruck times. After 6 miles I can't keep my average under 12:15 ish miles. Anything under 6 and I can keep them under 12. Idk if it's the humidity, or the consistent incline but I need to figure this out. I only have 4 more long rucks before evaluation time.

Your times are looking really good. What type of pace method are you using for the ruck? Make sure you're hitting up MOBILITYWOD before and during A&S. I got a account on Mobilitywod.com if you need it.

 

[Young_devil1214]

I'll definitley have to start checking out MOBILITYWOD I've heard a lot about it.

To be honest with the rucks I really just jog/shuffle until I can't anymore, then proceed to stride it out and walk as fast as possible until I have the energy to jog let's say another mile or so.

It probably looks like
Run 1.5 miles
Walk .5 mile
Run 1 mile

And repeated like that. But for some reason after that 6 mile mark my legs are toast, and my time drops dramatically.

I think it might just be a matter of stop being a mental pussy and push harder.

I got a group of guys from 15-3 and 16-1 doing a group 9 mile ruck this Sunday so I'm hoping to exchange some solid ideas and see if we can all push each other past what we've been doing on our own.

It's all mental for me at this point I think. I know body has what it takes physically, now it's time to break mental barriers.

 

[Alaska]

If you're in Loudon County I can absolutely drive to see you.

 

[x SF med]

I'll definitley have to start checking out MOBILITYWOD I've heard a lot about it.

To be honest with the rucks I really just jog/shuffle until I can't anymore, then proceed to stride it out and walk as fast as possible until I have the energy to jog let's say another mile or so.

It probably looks like
Run 1.5 miles
Walk .5 mile
Run 1 mile

And repeated like that. But for some reason after that 6 mile mark my legs are toast, and my time drops dramatically.

I think it might just be a matter of stop being a mental pussy and push harder.

I got a group of guys from 15-3 and 16-1 doing a group 9 mile ruck this Sunday so I'm hoping to exchange some solid ideas and see if we can all push each other past what we've been doing on our own.

It's all mental for me at this point I think. I know body has what it takes physically, now it's time to break mental barriers.

When you ruck, you should not run or shuffle unless you really have to - main reason? INJURY waiting to happen, and the long term effects are serious. I'm suffering through the long term effects of lots of heavy weight fast movement rucks: knees, back, ankles, feet, shoulders and neck. I rarely ran, even though I am only 5'8" (or used to be, I may have lost a half inch or so, common in Infantry/SOF types), I learned to set a pace and cut a stride that was good for a 2.5 hr 12 mi (on a trail, not bushwhacking or land naving) with whatever I had to carry, usually around a 100-120 lb ruck and 35-45 lb LBE.

Carry a board or a pipe weighted to issued weapon weight too... it changes your stride/balance/mobility... walk backwards occasionally (you'll find out why in SUT) and practice taking a knee and getting back up. Your ruck should become part of your body, no matter how much it sucks, embrace it, your ruck is your home and your garage on an extended field op.

Take my advice or don't your choice... but I was a weapons guy (18B) turned medic (18D), I know a few things about the aftereffects of the profession. Best of luck, keep yourself healthy.

 

[Young_devil1214]

Ruc question.

Recently on my ruc I have been getting really bad blisters on my heels. Never happened before until 7+ miles was a regular thing. I've tried everything from moleskin, moleskin and athletic tape, just athletic tape, a pair of $15 heavy duty ruc socks, boots smaller and larger. Nothing seems to work.

This last weekend I do 8 miles and just suffered through the pain. Big mistake. My left heel bled through 2 layers of athletic tape and my right heel the blister I had was torn off basically my feet are out of commission for at least a week and I leave in 3 weeks.

I'm at a loss. If I get these type of blisters on day 2 no way my feet will make it 40+ days.

Any suggestions? I've heard of Vaseline on the foot and the sock but I wanted opinions on that before I go ahead and do that.

Any advice is greatly needed and appreciated.

Also I've tried 3 different types of boots and still the heels every time.

 

[Hillclimb]

Dress sock/liner + smart wool + rub your feet down with a light coat of foot powder pre-ruck.

Or take some time off, cut the mileage down, re-condition your feet, start doing a cool down lap after your run barefoot on the track, take the trash out barefoot, etc.

 

[Derdang]

Ruc question.

Recently on my ruc I have been getting really bad blisters on my heels. Never happened before until 7+ miles was a regular thing. I've tried everything from moleskin, moleskin and athletic tape, just athletic tape, a pair of $15 heavy duty ruc socks, boots smaller and larger. Nothing seems to work.

This last weekend I do 8 miles and just suffered through the pain. Big mistake. My left heel bled through 2 layers of athletic tape and my right heel the blister I had was torn off basically my feet are out of commission for at least a week and I leave in 3 weeks.

I'm at a loss. If I get these type of blisters on day 2 no way my feet will make it 40+ days.

Any suggestions? I've heard of Vaseline on the foot and the sock but I wanted opinions on that before I go ahead and do that.

Any advice is greatly needed and appreciated.

Also I've tried 3 different types of boots and still the heels every time.

I used Vaseline for my feet but I didn't apply it to the bottom of my feet. Make sure you have socks that fit, you can also try thin liner under your socks.

 

[Young_devil1214]

I used Vaseline for my feet but I didn't apply it to the bottom of my feet. Make sure you have socks that fit, you can also try thin liner under your socks.

I should have been more specific when I said heels. It's more so the back of my foot not actually on the bottom of my foot.

I've been using a thin tight liner underneath a smart wool sock but for some reason the back of my
Foot is getting torn apart.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

@Young_devil1214 - are you familiar with Darn Tough socks? Check out REI.com if not available at the PX. For me, they were a literal miracle - last year when I was training for my Rainier trip I was hiking 10 - 12 miles every Saturday (with a 45# pack) - never a blister, in fact I was even able to get rid of the dress sock thin liner that I had been using.

Disclaimer - I do not know what the rules are at A&S re: your own personal socks, and they are pricy, but if you want to try a pair, send me a PM with a mailing address and your boot size - I'll get something out to you tomorrow.

 

[Derdang]

I should have been more specific when I said heels. It's more so the back of my foot not actually on the bottom of my foot.

I've been using a thin tight liner underneath a smart wool sock but for some reason the back of my
Foot is getting torn apart.

I used the Vaseline for my heel, and toes. but I didn't want to apply it to the bottom of the feet.

 

[x SF med]

I should have been more specific when I said heels. It's more so the back of my foot not actually on the bottom of my foot.

I've been using a thin tight liner underneath a smart wool sock but for some reason the back of my
Foot is getting torn apart.

Use your trusty moleskin and tincture of benzoin (or nu-skin) and glues some of the moleskin into the heel of your boot to reduce slipping (the tincture or nu-skin is the glue).

 

[Derdang]

http://www.amazon.com/Fixing-Your-Feet-Prevention-Treatments/dp/0899976387, This is a good book that will also help you out with gaining knowledge in foot care.

 

[Derdang]

For everyone going to A&S in August, there are some things you need to consider. Each A&S has there good and bad things about them, but August is the hottest of the three, and having that in mind you need to prepare yourself physically and mentally.

• If you're from Pendleton, the humidity is going to be a big shock, and if your from Lejeune and if you don't acclimatize yourself then you will be in for a surprise. Just because your from Lejeune doesn't mean your completely acclimatized, like if you sit in the A/C all the time.
• You need to get your body use to the temperature outside so your body isn't in complete shock when you start doing all the outdoor activities.
• You need to have a plan for hydration, find ways to get electrolytes in your system, and not just for hikes but for walking outside which will make you sweat like crazy. I used Oral Rehydration Salts that can be found on REI site. You also need to think about if you drink way to much water and you end of flushing all your nutrients in your body.
• Also you need to think about how your going to combat all the sweat from your body. If your not wearing the right clothes or don't treat early signs of rashes. Then it's going to become a bigger problem and it's something that you don't want to deal with.
• You got products like Monkey Butt to deal with swamp ass or using Vaseline to stop friction spots. I carried both on me, small jar and bottle of both.

You will see people getting dropped medically because they didn't prepare themselves for the extreme climate you're about to go through. You need to understand that it's not going to fun, but if you follow some of the tips it might be the difference from making it or getting dropped

 

[x SF med]

You got products like Monkey Butt to deal with swamp ass or using Vaseline to stop friction spots

If you don't know... Anti-Monkey Butt is the absolute schnizzle, you can use it in your boots, in your crotch, your pits, all over your body... and the calamine in it keeps the chigger/flea/mosquito bites from destroying your attitude.

 

[alexis matos]

I will be going to this class and I'm in Pendleton, will be starting leave today until the 6th of August to get in the last phase of intense training. If anyone wants to meet up and train that's also going, shoot me a PM. Also any one who's good on water, I would love some tips or help, not my biggest strong suit since I've been stuck in the field 70% of the time this last 5 months.
Thanks.