Posted: 4/9/2021 12:18:31 AM EDT
 A crew served weapon team during one of the complex field problem events. Edit 31 May 2021: Event is complete. Pictures and results to follow. If you participating in the event, please consider posting your ideas on what you liked, what you think should stay the same, and what you would like to change. Please include justification and recommendations for things you'd like to see changed. Please do not post pictures of people's faces here unless you have explicit permission from all the people whose faces appear in the pictures. More to follow! Edit 24 May 2021: It appears you are going to have weather almost identical to October. Lucky. Land nav boxes going up today. Look forward to the first of you arriving. There is still time to get you qualified. Let's do this. 14 slots remaining.      Are you a competent shooter? Even when you are tired? Can you fight through exhaustion? Are you smart? Are you a jack of all trades? Can you land nav at night without a light? Do you know ropes? Come on then. Show us what you're made of. *We also need support staff volunteers.  Update: We have |
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Quoted: Are you a competent shooter? Even when you are tired? Can you fight through exhaustion? Are you smart? Are you a jack of all trades? Can you land nav at night without a light? Do you know ropes? Come on then. Show us what you're made of. Yes, no, no, yes, yes, yes, no.  I do have some practical skills like communications, IW, and drones though. 
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Quoted: While such stuff can be fun and I would love to be younger and healthier to do it, it really doesn't apply to realistic self-defense situations. It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. |
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Quoted: I’m down 26lbs since last years qual Ben. But I just can’t seem to get my stamina and cardio up to an acceptable level. I’m going to keep working at it, but I may be aged and healthed out.  No idea what your stats are but I’ll share mine for you to consider. 52 years old, 5’9”, 225 lbs when I started. Started losing weight and working out but still got my ass kicked on the first two hikes. I made the 2 hour cut off (barely) but looked and sounded like I was about to explode my heart. Kept working out and upped my cardio workouts into structured high intensity intervals and finally did decent on the third hike meaning I kept up with the group. By our May hike I’ll be down around 25 pounds (the weight loss definitely helps) but more importantly will be finishing my second cycle of high intensity interval training (4 weeks of killing it and 1 or 2 weeks recovery). An extremely strong cardio system is the single biggest requirement for doing this stuff. It was true 35 years ago when I was toting a SAW and PRC-77 on forced marches and smoking everyone else in my infantry company and it’s true now. The pack and pace tax your cardio. Stronger cardio makes it easy. You get stronger cardio by doing intervals at an intensity that has you worried about throwing up or passing out. As a former high level bike racer I’m doing my cardio on the bike. For an old guy with a knee that’s not 100% it lets me push it really hard without further damaging my mangled body. If you’re not using them check out one of the online subscription workout programs. Having a "coach" or class on the screen demonstrating the workouts and keeping a timer going helps to push you harder than just doing it alone. I use Sufferfest on the bike but there are a ton of options like Beach Body that work great for non bike workouts. |
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Are you a competent shooter? YES Even when you are tired? NEVER TRIED---HOW "TIRED?" Can you fight through exhaustion? HAVE BEFORE Are you smart? DEPENDS ON DEFINITION OF "SMART" Are you a jack of all trades? I DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS Can you land nav at night without a light? NEVER TRIED. Do you know ropes? I KNOW SEVERAL KNOTS, USE ROPES VERY OFTEN TO TIE DOWN LOADS |
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Quoted: While such stuff can be fun and I would love to be younger and healthier to do it, it really doesn't apply to realistic self-defense situations. Quoted: While such stuff can be fun and I would love to be younger and healthier to do it, it really doesn't apply to realistic self-defense situations. Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. Absolutely! If I can choose between being completely exhausted to the point of rubbery legs or being strong and collected after 30 seconds or a minute of a fight I know which one will help me come out on top! Beyond that the improved quality of life a little fitness gives you is worth the struggle. |
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Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. I believe OP is correct. Lots of guys who didn't do shit and have office jobs, get fit and can move well at older ages to play soldier because they have zero miles on the odometer. I still have to work for a living and can't afford to fuck up what little body I have left after 30 yes if getting after it. You don't see Marcus Luttrell showing up at Cola Warrior to run it. |
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Quoted: Do I need a BaoFeng? Well, we have a business band license and usually utilize encrypted transmission, so a baofeng probably won't work for you there. We also don't stop training for the weather. Many people who brought baofengs last year had them ruined spending several days in a (literal) hurricane. |
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Quoted: I believe OP is correct. Lots of guys who didn't do shit and have office jobs, get fit and can move well at older ages to play soldier because they have zero miles on the odometer. I still have to work for a living and can't afford to fuck up what little body I have left after 30 yes if getting after it. You don't see Marcus Luttrell showing up at Cola Warrior to run it. Quoted: Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. I believe OP is correct. Lots of guys who didn't do shit and have office jobs, get fit and can move well at older ages to play soldier because they have zero miles on the odometer. I still have to work for a living and can't afford to fuck up what little body I have left after 30 yes if getting after it. You don't see Marcus Luttrell showing up at Cola Warrior to run it. There are most certainly many, many men in their 40s and 50s who have lived relatively sedentary lives that now enjoy better joints than I do. I've had serious injuries several times over the years, and look like a zombie walking in the cold now because of a permanent limp and arthritis. Many people just don't believe they are capable of something because they've never gotten out of their comfort zone to try. |
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Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. |
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Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. If guys can complete Army basic Training at age 59, the only thing stopping you is you. |
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Quoted: If guys can complete Army basic Training at age 59, the only thing stopping you is you. Quoted: Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. If guys can complete Army basic Training at age 59, the only thing stopping you is you. Well, I mean, if that is your standard...  |
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Quoted: It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. Quoted: Quoted: While such stuff can be fun and I would love to be younger and healthier to do it, it really doesn't apply to realistic self-defense situations. It absolutely does. The ability to operate effectively under stress, and to rapidly think through problems and come up with solutions on the fly, is most definitely applicable to real life defense situations. As far as the age bit goes, half of the participants last year we over 40, with a few in their 50s who are not military or prior military. My answer is why the hell does it have to apply? It’s just a fun competition |
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Quoted: I would love to go (as support staff, I would die on the trail  ) but it’s a long drive to MT and I have such a multitude of other things my meager pay must go towards first.  Yeah, that's a hike, do one in PA or something. I do have paintball shortly after that....basically the same thing right.....? |
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Quoted: No idea what your stats are but I’ll share mine for you to consider. 52 years old, 5’9”, 225 lbs when I started. Started losing weight and working out but still got my ass kicked on the first two hikes. I made the 2 hour cut off (barely) but looked and sounded like I was about to explode my heart. Kept working out and upped my cardio workouts into structured high intensity intervals and finally did decent on the third hike meaning I kept up with the group. By our May hike I’ll be down around 25 pounds (the weight loss definitely helps) but more importantly will be finishing my second cycle of high intensity interval training (4 weeks of killing it and 1 or 2 weeks recovery). An extremely strong cardio system is the single biggest requirement for doing this stuff. It was true 35 years ago when I was toting a SAW and PRC-77 on forced marches and smoking everyone else in my infantry company and it’s true now. The pack and pace tax your cardio. Stronger cardio makes it easy. You get stronger cardio by doing intervals at an intensity that has you worried about throwing up or passing out. As a former high level bike racer I’m doing my cardio on the bike. For an old guy with a knee that’s not 100% it lets me push it really hard without further damaging my mangled body. If you’re not using them check out one of the online subscription workout programs. Having a "coach" or class on the screen demonstrating the workouts and keeping a timer going helps to push you harder than just doing it alone. I use Sufferfest on the bike but there are a ton of options like Beach Body that work great for non bike workouts. Thats awesome. Huge congrats 
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