I'm shipping out to BCT at FLW in May, and I was wondering what the best way is to train for road marches? Should I buy an Alice pack? Or could I just use a regular backpack? How much weight should I put in the backpack or rucksack? Where is a good place to go? (National/State park? Another hiking trail?) Are there any other ways to train for this?
Any suggestions would be great!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
If you’re not going to be in a combat arms mos like infantry, cavalry, sf, or rangers then don’t waste your time rucking. Spend more time running, and doing light PT to better prepare yourself. Rucking is a good way to injure yourself, especially if it’s not nessecary.
If you’re dead set on it, see about getting an ALICE pack and load 35 pounds in it. Also, make it as big as possible. Keep the heaviest weight high in the pack and close to your back. Start out by rucking 2 miles on easy terrain. Do that for a week. Then next week add 2 miles onto it. Do that every week, so by time May comes you’ll be able to do a 12 mile ruck with 35 pounds. Drink lots of water, and don’t worry about speed here, since it’s not nessecary for you to worry about.
I would get a forty lbs pack and go to a hilly area. The speech of some of the marches I’ve been on have been near jog speed (@ 5 m.p.h) for short periods of time.
Drink lots of water. Good, but not thick, socks.
And always remember lean forward and swing your arms.
put on a pack (any pack_ with 30 pounds in it.)…walk in hilly roads for an hour a day….
After a month, u can move up 5 pounds….