Posted: 8/13/2008 9:04:25 PM EDT
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I've got a Guard deployment coming up in Jan, after which I'm planning on switching over to Active Duty and going 18X (Special Forces). The deployment will be anywhere from 4 months to a year depending on elections, so I have between 10 and 17 months to get in shape for SFAS. I know next to nothing about exercise except how to do it. I'm in decent shape, and I just got a Polaris HRM in the mail. My primary focus is on developing endurance, with a secondary focus on upper body strength. Oh, and all this is being done on the cheap. Where do I start for planning an exercise regimen? Are there any good (preferably free) resources out there? |
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Alright, First off, 18X is closed to prior service. Either go active and have your CO approve you going to SFAS or go 19th/20th group in the Guard and do the train up before they send you. Second, do NOT start rucking with 100lbs. SOPC cadre recommend alternating heavy and light ruck days with approx 50lbs light and 75lbs heavy. Of course you can build those numbers up. A great book is "Get Selected". Written by a SF MAJ who was running SOPC at the time. SF also has a recommended PT schedule manual that you may be able to find online. TOUGHEN THOSE DAMN FEET. Good Luck. SM |
Thanks! I'm trying to figure out how far to ruck and how often. 7 days a week/10k a day? More? Until I get hot spots on my feet? Is this in addition to a running/weightlifting regimen or substituted? Will I need much upper body strength to get through SFAS, or is the physical portion mostly ruckmarches/landnav? I'd like to train for the best chance of success, and I'm sure I've got the mental part nailed. BTW, thanks for the advice. I'll be off the net for a few days. |
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I am working on going the guard SF route, so I'll share what limited info I have found: +1 on Get Selected. Buy it here. I cannot stress how important this book is if you are considering SF. Also, buy Chosen Soldier, by Dick Couch. Read them, then read them again. Get Selected has some great info regarding workouts. Chosen Soldier is probably the best book I have read when it comes to SFAS and the Q, and I have read quite a few. It is probably the closest you can get to the Q experience without leaving your house, IMHO. Some of the most important parts of these books have to do with mindset. Rucking...do not overdo it. In fact, some BTDT's say not to exceed 35 lbs when rucking to avoid injury. I am far from an expert on the matter, so use your best judgement. Throwing 100lbs in a ruck and heading out is a bad idea. The idea is to get your body used to carrying weight for long distances, and get your feet conditioned, not rupture a disc and sideline yourself. Personally I would keep the rucking to 1-2 times a week, and focus more on running. That's just me. Run, alot. Pushups, situps, pullups, squats, flutterkicks, etc. Weights are good, but go for endurance rather than power. Eat well. You have plenty of time to get into excellent shape without injuring yourself, take advantage of it if at all possible while you are deployed. Of course upper body strength is important, but think 'well-balanced'...like a tri-athlete. I can't speak to 18x and prior service, apparently some have made it happen but I believe it is the exception rather than the rule. If you are guard, check out 19th and 20th, they may be your best option. Hopefully somebody more qualified than I can shed a little light on this for you. +1 on Professional Soldiers, head over there and read everything on the site starting with the rules. If you have a question, search for it, it's probably been asked. Hope this helps, and best of luck! |
I've got Get Selected, and its a great book. You need to go to Professionalsoldiers.com, and do a lot of reading. Don't post. Just read. I was training to do 18x a couple of years ago, but a prior injury made it a no go. Ruck a lot. A LOT. Good luck man. I'm in a pretty good place in my life, but there are days that I really wish I had been able to do it. |