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.
Of course, after spending time up there, and coming back here, I feel like I'm breathing soup. ;)
/johnny
Thanks for the detail! I really appreciate the pointers!
Very balanced advice.
Boy Scouts were taught to be prepared. I know several eagle scouts who in adult life still carry many of the points of training from the Scouts.
In fact I worked for the finest businessman I ever knew for 14 years. When people who did not know him asked what kind of man he was, my response was: “He was an Eagle Scout as a young man and never recovered.” It was fact.
The most intelligent of men, knows not the future. We may think we “plan” our future, but that course is charted by another.
Strong wife and a wheelbarrow? Hiding place?
Pretty similar.
Other version was my own.
lol I love it. Sign me up!
That is quite a testimonial! I will certainly give that a try! Vapo Rub is certainly on my list now!
And don’t forget that you can get it at about half price by buying the generic stuff at a discount grocery store.
Noted! Thanks
In my entire 24 years of military service I never once used moleskin. I had my share of blisters but never saw the need for it. I do have items packed that I doubt I will need. I have those for use by others.
Indeed because you were in for 24 years and your feet were conditioned AND you had good broken in boots etc., you mever needed moleskin.
The difference here is the suddenly on foot all day and night ‘prepper’ won’t have that prior conditioning. Moleskin can work wonders for the Noob.
And that is why I have it now. My wife is not big on walking long distances. Her idea of a long walk is a huge mall.
On another subject; have you been to the camping section in stores lately? Notice all the “luxury” items? If you buy all the crap they sell you’ll be carrying a ton of weight. Who needs a special metal stick for hotdogs of marshmallows? Makes one wonder how people survived camping in the past. When I camp I prioritize. Water, food, hygiene. Everything else is a luxury.
Yes! “take your family room and BBQ to the woods!”
And one of the BIGGEST ripoffs I have seen are these five (?) gallon pails targeting the preppers with “55 servings” of ‘survival’ food.
BS.
some of those servings have only 100 calories and require a heat source. the max serving size I saw had 250 calories.
< sigh >
The strong and smart will survive.
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