Spooky

Spooky said:
Absolutely, Arabic should be a blast. I’ll make sure to keep the updates coming.
Click to expand...

I was the senior line doc for an Airborne Infantry company when we were sent to Saudi in 1997 for a QRF/security post Khobar towers bombing.

Our terp was one of us, a white dude from 313th MI that was Arabic speaking.

He spent the entire 6 .months in country studying at learning. Apparently, there's 18 dialects of Arabic in the eastern province of Saudi.

I learned a few good phases and a few bad ones. Whenever I get an Arabic patient on the street, I break my Arabic out, I win points with the non trusting folks.
 
Muppet said:
I was the senior line doc for an Airborne Infantry company when we were sent to Saudi in 1997 for a QRF/security post Khobar towers bombing.

Our terp was one of us, a white dude from 313th MI that was Arabic speaking.

He spent the entire 6 .months in country studying at learning. Apparently, there's 18 dialects of Arabic in the eastern province of Saudi.

I learned a few good phases and a few bad ones. Whenever I get an Arabic patient on the street, I break my Arabic out, I win points with the non trusting folks.
Click to expand...
That’s awesome, it’s neat to consider the different benefits of language. I have no clue how I’ll be able to remember all the different dialects (Impossible…?) but I’ll try to keep up the learning post-DLI.
 
We took our first ACFT while at DLI and overall I’m a little disappointed with how I performed, but I expected to de-condition a bit during basic, so I can’t say I’m surprised. I’ll only post updates on the scores found on the RFT because honestly I doubt anyone cares how far I can throw a ball over my head.

T-Pushups ~ 36
Plank ~ 3:40
2 Mile Run ~ 15:36

The ACFT doesn’t test pull-ups, but last time I tried, I was able to get about 4 CLEAN ones, so I’ll only count those. I’m going to be doing a 5 Mile Run assessment soon to gauge where I’m at, but I’ll probably be focusing on getting my 2 Mile Run pace sorted, and adding distance over time.

I’m not going to jump straight into a 12 Mile Ruck assessment for injury prevention reasons, and I’m actually a little lost on if there’s a better way to get a solid test of my rucking progress without jumping straight into the full distance. Advice would be appreciated on that!

Sorry to dump a whole long post here, but I wanted to be transparent with my progress and the amount of work I’ll need to put in before I’m up to standard.
 
Spooky said:
We took our first ACFT while at DLI and overall I’m a little disappointed with how I performed, but I expected to de-condition a bit during basic, so I can’t say I’m surprised. I’ll only post updates on the scores found on the RFT because honestly I doubt anyone cares how far I can throw a ball over my head.

T-Pushups ~ 36
Plank ~ 3:40
2 Mile Run ~ 15:36

The ACFT doesn’t test pull-ups, but last time I tried, I was able to get about 4 CLEAN ones, so I’ll only count those. I’m going to be doing a 5 Mile Run assessment soon to gauge where I’m at, but I’ll probably be focusing on getting my 2 Mile Run pace sorted, and adding distance over time.

I’m not going to jump straight into a 12 Mile Ruck assessment for injury prevention reasons, and I’m actually a little lost on if there’s a better way to get a solid test of my rucking progress without jumping straight into the full distance. Advice would be appreciated on that!

Sorry to dump a whole long post here, but I wanted to be transparent with my progress and the amount of work I’ll need to put in before I’m up to standard.
Click to expand...
Can you as a newb give an honest assessment on the current PT program? Good or bad? Do you feel fit at all or less? I'm kind of curious how newcomers are thinking with the new standards to compare against the older former standards.

As for rucking, here's a simple way to do it in phases. Do 3 miles as fast as you can until you no longer get winded. Now do it for 6 miles until no longer barely breathing. Again at 9, by the time you are doing 12 you are almost at a jogger's high.

Most important part of the above is to never let your mind get the best of you. It's all mental. Motivate the entire way. Sing a cadence in your head.

At Fort Hood my unit's PT program was trash. When I had PCS'ed to Hawaii, I had to do a crash course of forcing myself to adapt to their standards which was significantly higher. It sucked the entire way. It was division's policy that all newcomers were supposed to be given 60 days to adapt and acclimate meaning no PT tests, no schools, nothing until that period was over.

But at my unit that I was sent to? Pfffffffffft, lol.

I was attached within days because I was the only male in my MOS and they wanted males only for Cobra Gold in Thailand so I was attached to the Gimlets and 225th FSB. I got malaria while there, was treated and RTD after a week of bedrest. Hardly any PT there. Got back, and was told that I had to do a 12 miler, no preps and it was an annual division qual. We had to do it in under four hours was the division standard. However at 25th DISCOM it was air assault standard at 3 hours or less. And it was at Dillingham on Oahu, bless their hearts.

But wait, there's more!

The day after the ruck, I had to do a surprise PT test. Care to know why? Air Assault school ay East Range needed it as a requisite. I was like, wait a minute here...then found out I was put in our Air Assault slot, haha awesome. I got a 264 on the PT test, my body was broken pretty bad up to this point.

Air Assault was a week later, I passed but I had finally broke down and asked to see the ER and was sent to Trippler. I had several fractures split between my spine, both tibias, right fibula, and both ankles. The only thing that got me going and my point to all this, is to never give up the fight and don't give up EVER. You'll be surprised what you thought you couldn't be doing and now doing it. But you have to dive deep and motivate and don't ever lose it. Don't get mad at their fuck-fuck games, instead take and turn it into motivation.

Good luck kiddo.
 
Last edited:
Spooky said:
We took our first ACFT while at DLI and overall I’m a little disappointed with how I performed, but I expected to de-condition a bit during basic, so I can’t say I’m surprised. I’ll only post updates on the scores found on the RFT because honestly I doubt anyone cares how far I can throw a ball over my head.

T-Pushups ~ 36
Plank ~ 3:40
2 Mile Run ~ 15:36

The ACFT doesn’t test pull-ups, but last time I tried, I was able to get about 4 CLEAN ones, so I’ll only count those. I’m going to be doing a 5 Mile Run assessment soon to gauge where I’m at, but I’ll probably be focusing on getting my 2 Mile Run pace sorted, and adding distance over time.

I’m not going to jump straight into a 12 Mile Ruck assessment for injury prevention reasons, and I’m actually a little lost on if there’s a better way to get a solid test of my rucking progress without jumping straight into the full distance. Advice would be appreciated on that!

Sorry to dump a whole long post here, but I wanted to be transparent with my progress and the amount of work I’ll need to put in before I’m up to standard.
Click to expand...

How long is the Arabic course? You have AIT afterwards, correct? When do you need to screen for a RASP slot?
 
Kaldak said:
How long is the Arabic course? You have AIT afterwards, correct? When do you need to screen for a RASP slot?
Click to expand...
My class doesn’t start until Feb. 13th, and then it’s 68 weeks of language training here at DLI, and then another 20 weeks of AIT training for my MOS. So all together it’s about 100+ weeks adding holdovers and delays until I get ready to class up for RASP.
 
Spooky said:
My class doesn’t start until Feb. 13th, and then it’s 68 weeks of language training here at DLI, and then another 20 weeks of AIT training for my MOS. So all together it’s about 100+ weeks adding holdovers and delays until I get ready to class up for RASP.
Click to expand...

Then be smart about the training. Get your fitness back up first. Back to that point before you "de-conditioned" in Basic. That's your first step.

With 100+ weeks, two years, there is no reason to over accelerate anything. Injuries will only set you back.

There are usually a number of SOF people at DLI, so introduce yourself once you earn some more freedom, and see about joining them for their workouts. Just be at a solid fitness level first, so you don't get steam rolled on day one.

Also, enjoy your time there. It's a beautiful area. Be sure to check out Fort Ord, too. It has a cool ghost town feel (it has been a decade since I was there, so things may have changed).
 
The Quartermaster said:
Can you as a newb give an honest assessment on the current PT program? Good or bad? Do you feel fit at all or less? I'm kind of curious how newcomers are thinking with the new standards to compare against the older former standards.

As for rucking, here's a simple way to do it in phases. Do 3 miles as fast as you can until you no longer get winded. Now do it for 6 miles until no longer barely breathing. Again at 9, by the time you are doing 12 you are almost at a jogger's high.

Most important part of the above is to never let your mind get the best of you. It's all mental. Motivate the entire way. Sing a cadence in your head.

At Fort Hood my unit's PT program was trash. When I had PCS'ed to Hawaii, I had to do a crash course of forcing myself to adapt to their standards. It sucked the entire way. It was division's policy that all newcomers were supposed to be given 60 days to adapt and acclimate meaning no PT tests, no schools, nothing untilo that period was over.

But at my unit that I was sent to? Pfffffffffft, lol.

I was attached within days because I was the only male in my MOS and they wanted males only for Cobra Gold in Thailand so I was attached to the Gimlets and 225th FSB. I got malaria while there, was treated and RTD after a week of bedrest. Hardly any PT there. Got back, and was told that I had to do a 12 miler, no preps and it was an annual division qual. We had to do it in under four hours was the division standard. However at 25th DISCOM it was air assault standard at 3 hours or less. And it was at Dillingham on Oahu, bless their hearts.

But wait, there's more!

The day after the ruck, I had to do a surprise PT test. Xcare to know why? Air Assault school ay East Range needed it as a requisite. I was like, wait a minute here...then found out I was put in our Air Assault slot, haha awesome. I got a 264 on the PT test, my body was broken pretty bad up to this point.

Air Assault was a week later, I passed but I had finally broke down and asked to see the ER and was sent to Trippler. I had several fractures split between my spine, both tibias, right fibula, and both ankles. The only thing that got me going and my point to all this, is to never give up the fight and don't give up EVER. You'll be surprised what you thought you couldn't be doing and now doing it. But youi have to dive deep and motivate and don't ever lose it. Don't get mad at their fuck-fuck games, instead take and turn it into motivation.

Good luck kiddo.
Click to expand...
The PT program is honestly borderline useless. I’m sure for someone that is coming in extremely
out of shape, it may help them get a small baseline, but for any slightly fit person it’s a joke. We did a 1 mile jog at our own pace one day, we did maybe 15 minutes of push-ups and air squats at our own pace another day, and they’ve mostly been canceling PT because “we had an early wake up”. Showing up for formation for PT feels like a complete waste of time for me, and is only an obstacle making it more difficult to fit time for my personal workouts.

I’ll take your rucking advice and start getting in some sessions after holiday leave. I assume you mean go at your target pace for 3 miles, then increase distance. How should I increase the weight? Or should I just start with my goal weight and work my way up to my goal pace / distance?

I may not be the strongest, I may not be the fastest, I may not be the smartest, but I ain’t got a quitting bone in my body.
 
Kaldak said:
Then be smart about the training. Get your fitness back up first. Back to that point before you "de-conditioned" in Basic. That's your first step.

With 100+ weeks, two years, there is no reason to over accelerate anything. Injuries will only set you back.

There are usually a number of SOF people at DLI, so introduce yourself once you earn some more freedom, and see about joining them for their workouts. Just be at a solid fitness level first, so you don't get steam rolled on day one.

Also, enjoy your time there. It's a beautiful area. Be sure to check out Fort Ord, too. It has a cool ghost town feel (it has been a decade since I was there, so things may have changed).
Click to expand...
I’ll be taking it slower and focusing on the small improvements for sure, that’s good advice.

I’m very fortunate in the fact that I’ve already met an SF dude who will be in my class, and he’s been super cool about offering advice. I can’t wait to explore Monterey during my free time, don’t want to burnout.
 
Spooky said:
should I just start with my goal weight and work my way up to my goal pace / distance?
Click to expand...
Yes, do that. But whatever the weight standards are for what you are trying to make it to and pass, I would start off with doing Air Assault standard, 35 pounds and gradually increase. Lots of good info out there on how to best distribute that weight in your ruck on the tube.
 
The Quartermaster said:
Yes, do that. But whatever the weight standards are for what you are trying to make it to and pass, I would start off with doing Air Assault standard, 35 pounds and gradually increase. Lots of good info out there on how to best distribute that weight in your ruck on the tube.
Click to expand...
Awesome, I’ll give that a try when I get back from holiday break. I appreciate the advice! I’ll keep the updates coming as I progress.
 
Read the reviews for Garmont Tactical T8 670 compliant and the T8 Anthem Berry Amendment 670 correct. pay attention to the ones from the ruckers. Ya man, that dang comfy. I can literally be doing all kinds of things at my age in these boots and not have feet problems at any point in time. I haven't tried scaling rocks and small boulders with them yet so the jury is still out on that one. But my needs are satisfied for it's purposes for matches or class and requires some footwork over not the best terrain.
 

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