How about a ruck march?

[Fader]

I walked home from Superstore this morning and it‘s a bright, sunny, cloudless day. I suddenly for some sick, twisted reason, felt like doing a ruck march, by myself on some of the trails in the back alleys of my neighbourhood. Anyone mind if I do? My ruck‘s still packed up for an exercise that was cancelled three weeks ago, plus I want to try wearing my camnet/ghilie suit over top of my rucksack, just for a test.

It‘s probably been close to a year since I‘ve done a ruckmarch, and I havn‘t gone to the gym in ages. I think it‘d be a good way to gage how fit I‘ll be for my 5‘s this summer, even though I know as out of shape as I am now, I‘ll probably be in better shape most of the entire course.

Hmm... so what do you think? Should I through on a pair of republican guard pants, my boots, a T-shirt and go? Or should I sit on my *** and play Half-Life all day?

 

[Sharpey]

I used to do Ruk marchs more so than I do now. Toss on some civvies and off I go with a loaded Ruk. No shame in keeping in shape etc...

 

[Devlin]

Funny you mention a ruck march. Myself and a buddy from my unit went on one last week. We went through our town (North Bay) and up some backroads, we drove it later and found the distance we covered was just short of 15km did it in 3hrs. One recommendation however, I wore the new Goretex WWB boots, with a pair of regular white socks. I would not reccommend this combination again. My feet kept slipping in the boots and I paid for it in blisters later that night.

A ruck march is a great idea and it leaves you with a good sense of accomplishment afterward. We even got a few supportive honks from people driving past, not too mention a few wierd looks from people out doing those "power walks".

 

[ProPatria05]

It is funny this topic comes up today. My unit (infantry reserve) did the Battle Fitness Test last evening (13km ruck march w/45lb ruck, webbing, helmet, weapon; then 100m fireman carry). About 20 people showed up (including 4 officers, myself included), out of about 75 effective strength. I actually thought less would show.

There is a prescribed workup schedule, which someone has posted on another topic, as follows:

Week 1 (3 times/wk)
Load - 4-8 kg
Distance - 5 km
Speed - 4 kph
Duration - 1 hr

Week 2 (3 times/wk)
8-12 kg / 5 km / 5 kph / 1 hr

Week 3 (3 times/wk)
12-15 kg / 5 km / 5 kph / 1 hr

Week 4 (3 times/wk)
15 kg / 10 km / 5 kph / 2 hrs

Week 5 (3 times/wk)
20-25 kg / 10 km / 5 kph / 2 hrs

Week 6 (2 times/wk)
25 kg / 10 km / 5 kph / 2 hrs

Anyway, we (officers) committed that one of us would be at the armoury every weeknight to do the workup training with the troops. NOT ONE SHOWED UP, ANY NIGHT. Well, it showed last night. 8 of the 20 fell out (none of the officers, by the way ). And most of these guys/gals had rucks that were clearly lighter than 45lbs.

Even if your unit doesn‘t have a formal march, do it yourself. It‘s a great workout. Agree with the WWB comment (holy **** that would be hot!). Best thing is lots of foot powder, and wear a thin athletic sock under a wool sock - the socks absborb the rubbing, so you don‘t get as many blisters. After a while, your feet will toughen up. Soaking in Epsom salts helps (go to any drug store, a bag of it is cheap). BUY A CAMELBACK/PLATYPUS - you will need lots of water.

Good luck!

 

[Doug VT]

I think that your ruck was probably 45lbs not kgs. 45kg is almost 100lbs....not the CF standard. If it was we would be considerably thinned out.

 

[Joel85]

Just out of curiosity, do infanteers get issued camelbacks/platypus systems? I‘m itching to buy the CADPAT one from canadian peacekeeper, but I wont if I get one issued to me.

 

[Korus]

For the reserves, you only get a camelback if you go on tour.

If you want to fork out the $100+ to get a cadpat platypus, go for it.

Personally, I bought a camelback from sportcheck, some OD green cloth from the surplus store, and made a cover for the pack and the nozzle.. (I wrapped the tube up with black electrical tape). It works well, costs about $50, and I take the cover off when I‘m using it for civvie activities.

When you go on your BMQ/SQ and other courses, keep in mind that you probably will not be able to use it.

 

[ProPatria05]

Yes - I did mean 45lb. I must have been looking at the workup schedule and had KG in my brain. If I had to lug 45kg that distance, in that time, I wouldn‘t be thinned out - I‘d be dead.

Apologies to applicants/recruits who I may have scared the **** out of!

My initial post has been edited.

 

[Joel85]

Korus

Why couldn‘t I take my camelback with me during BMQ/SQ?

 

[Korus]

Because it would be a non-issue peice of kit, and on BMQ/SQ, they are VERY anal about everyone being exactly the same. Unless everyone has the exact same peice of kit, you probably won‘t be able to use it. You‘ll see that it gets to the point that even your toothbrush, when laid out on your bunk for inspection, has to be tilted the same way as everyone else‘s...

 

[Spr.Earl]

Camel Back‘s in Texas, Carswell AFB in the clothing store‘s ranged in price from 29 U.S. to 40 U.S..
The only differance was the valve‘s ergo the price differance.