Posted on 06/12/2013 10:01:12 PM PDT by 101stAirborneVet
FReepers, want to know how you can prepare?
Start rucking.
But 101stAirborneVet, I was never in the military! What is "rucking"?
Explained here, it is essentially walking quickly, over rough terrain, with a load on your back.
But 101stAirborneVet, why in the world would I want to do that? How is that helping me to "prepare"?
One of the basic tasks (if not the basic task) of a person who finds themselves in a combat situation is to move. That means getting from point A to point B, usually with supplies/ammo/weapons/correspondence/food/water, as quickly as possible. If you can’t get yourself and some basic gear down the road, you could find yourself in big trouble if (when) this country reaches DEFCON 1.
But 101stAirborneVet, I'm out of shape! I might have a hard time carrying food, or water, or ammo a long distance - especially during stressful times when my body will already be weaker!
That's why you need to train up now. The First Implement is your body. If you're out of shape, start getting in shape now, and practicing realistic physical challenges like strapping a pack on your back and moving out. Your goal should be to travel at least 12 miles as quickly as possible with a pack of basic gear on your back. (Work up to this, of course. The above linked web site has some tips on this.)
But 101stAirborneVet, I'm 107 years old! There's no way I can do this!
No problem! Just do what you can do, but do something. Increase your abilities in some way, any way. Even if it means finally turning off Judge Judy reruns and walking around the back yard. Increase your physical activity within your capabilities.
But 101stAirborneVet, are you saying I’m going to be ferrying ammo between machine gun nests? Or delivering a message to some general like it’s the Civil War? Isn’t that a little crrrrrrazy?
I'm not saying that at all. Everyone will be doing something different. The point is that you’ve got to start giving yourself the tools to survive now, and that includes achieving a basic level of fitness and being able to move out if the need arises.
Wait, 101stAirborneVet! I’m already fit! I can ruck a 50-lb. pack 12 miles in less than three hours!
Well done! That means you can move. But that’s only one of the skills you’re going to need. Next, try rucking 12 miles to your local shooting range, and see how well you shoot when fatigued (remember to obey all local Nazi dictates about how to transport your firearm). If you want to have what it takes to defend yourself, your family, and what’s yours, your goal should be train until you can do this with little to no difficulty. Once you have accomplished this, you will be able to shoot and move.
You underestimate me, 101stAirborneVet! I can shoot and I can move! I rucked 12 miles to the range and shot 50 rounds of 9mm, center mass, at 15 yards! Am I ready for SHTF?
Not quite. Now do all of the above with close friends or family members. Discuss and practice what you would do if you encountered danger while rucking between points. Discuss and practice at the range how you would cooperatively engage multiple targets that are attacking you. Establish words or phrases that will prompt your buddies or family members to take certain actions, or to know what actions you are going to take. Achieve this level of training, and you can now shoot, move and communicate.
Uh, 101stAirborneVet, I’m not one of those “Preppies”. I don’t believe anything bad is going to happen, or I’m unwilling to prepare myself for it.
First off, it’s “prepper”. But that’s okay, you don’t have to be one. If nothing ever happens, and Obama rides across a rainbow in the sky on his fiery unicorn and everything is A-okay, you have benefited immensely from all of the above. You will have become more physically fit, gained a great deal of confidence, learned cooperation under extreme stress, become a proficient shooter under adverse circumstances, spent time in the great outdoors, and learned that the word is “prepper”, not “preppie”.
For those of you who are preparing yourselves in other ways, don't neglect the most important preparation of all: your own health, fitness and situational awareness and readiness.
So start rucking, remember to drink water, and I’ll see you out there.
How old are you?
Why?
There are 2 types of people.
1. those who do things
2. those who talk about doing things.
(subset: those of try to tell others how to do things they cannot do themselves, many are POLs.)
#2 and the subset had best never underestimate “older’ citizens.
Hold them off for as long as you can while the rest of us escape.
I’m no spring chicken myself. The point of the post was to inspire people to do what they can do within their capabilities, with some light humor. I have to motivate myself to get off the couch and do these things.
No offense was intended.
I’m not sure the implication that I’m “one who talks about doing things I cannot do myself” was really necessary.
Thanks.
One of my favorite films. There is a theory floating around the internet that Ferris Bueller only existed in Cameron’s mind - that he invented Ferris to force himself to stand up to his father.
Pretty fascinating stuff.
None taken. I agreed with your point. My 87 year old father works with me almost every day. Some of it is manual labor. He is still pretty tough.
At 19 he was packing an M1 across Germany, Belgium & Czechoslovakia. He was an armorer and worked on Quad 50's and Bofors. He saw the National Socialist up close and personal. If you don't think he can still shoot, you are mistaken.
for later
“one who talks about doing things I cannot do myself”
I was referring to the POLs (Politicians). Those are the ones that thing they should try to tell everyone else what to do and are not capable of doing such things themselves.
Did not mean any criticism.
Yes, although it's probably things you already know and do. My son is in a wheelchair, and he is constantly improving his upper body strength to ensure he has the stamina to travel longer distances. He has also rigged up a system where he can quickly grab needed supplies and attach them.
The point is not the "rucking", per se, it's constantly seeking ways to improve readiness, health and fitness. My brother had back surgery and is nearly immobile. We are working on plans for him now - what if he needs to leave his home? What if a burglar comes into his home while he is immobile? These are things we try to constantly think about, adapt to, and overcome.
At 19 he was packing an M1 across Germany, Belgium & Czechoslovakia. He was an armorer and worked on Quad 50's and Bofors. He saw the National Socialist up close and personal. If you don't think he can still shoot, you are mistaken.
I recently took my father to the range. He served in the Army in the early 1960s. I handed him my AR15 and watched him drive nails through the center of that target. I agree with you 100%.
This war won’t be fought with guns, but with bytes and currencies.
Right you are. Folks, and especially older folks, should always be working on their movement abilities.
That doesn't mean that you will someday have to move fast in a survival situation. It just means that such preparation can only do you good.
advice to those who think you cannot do a thing when you most need to:
“turn your mind off”
LOL
Our power was knocked out by storms tonight during the 2nd OT of the Blackhawks game. No problem. I hooked the 6kw gen set to the inlet box I installed, turned off the main breaker to the house, flipped my transfer switch to the proper position, and in 10 minutes we had the only house in the neighborhood with power.
Total cost of the project, about $1,100 US. Not bad for a 53 year old guy who learned it all by watching YouTube videos. THAT’S What I can do.
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