"Roberts Under the Hat"
Prior to joining the military in 2001, I only had a slight idea what ruck marching was. Well in January 2001 when I hit Ft. Benning as the first step to becoming an infantryman, I quickly learned what it was all about. I remember dreading the idea of walking long distances while carrying what felt like the world on my back at first. Well, as time went on, and I learned the tricks of the trade I slowly fell in love with it. Here recently I entered a 90-day rucksack challenge with an outdoor group I am in. I hadn't seriously ruck marched since I left the Army in 2005. Well on the very first ruck march I was reacquainted with my one of my many loves of my infantry days. My body is a lot older and a lot heavier than what it was in my Army days and it hurt quite a bit, but it was painfully awesome to be back on the road marching again. I think a lot of people outside of military truly do not understand the many benefits of strapping up a ruck and stepping out on a march. For me, there are many benefits. Obviously the physical fitness side of it is a plus, but also the mental side of it. Ruck Marching is a great physical fitness activity. It builds strength, burns calories, and builds endurance. Men's Health magazine published an article in May 2015 written by Michael Easter that talks about the benefits of ruck marching. Easter lists six good things about ruck marching in his article. He states that it crushes calories, relieves and prevents back pain (This does not include the soreness from actually doing good work). Ruck Marching also safely builds endurance, will make you better in the gym, is cheap and easy to do, and will also help change up the pace by getting you out of the gym. It has been my experience that ruck marching builds leg strength, back strength, shoulder strength and even works the core. The physical advantages of ruck marching are simply undeniable. To me, ruck marching is also great for the mind. When ruck marching alone I use my marching time to clear my head, spend some time thinking and sorting out problems. For me, it also allows me time to reminisce about various things. When I walk with someone, it allows for good conversation. I most often walk with my fiancé, and it allows us to spend some quality time just her and I. Sometimes I walk with a buddy. The other day I walked with a fellow a grunt, and we spent the whole walk swapping war stories and comparing our times in the military, next thing you know we covered a good distance with ease. Ruck Marching also teaches patience and perseverance. It teaches you no matter how bad it hurts just to keep putting one foot in front of the other. A couple quick tips if you want to get out there and do some rucking. 1. Get good footwear, I march in a pair of my Army boots. However, there are a lot of options out there, just depends on your comfort (also good insoles make a huge difference). 2. Wear good socks, thick boot socks or a good athletic sock is a good choice. 3. Find a good pack, I march with an old large ALICE pack and frame because that's what I am used to. Find you a good comfortable pack that will hold up and is comfortable. 4. Pack it right, my ruck weighs about 45 to 50 lbs., however, a good 35 lbs. Ruck is perfect, and you can pack it with rice beans whatever you want. I recommend putting the heaviest stuff on the top of the ruck, not the bottom. By packing it top heavy you will relieve the pressure on your lower back, and the weight sits more on your shoulders. 5. Start small and work your way up to heavier weight and farther distances, and push yourself each time. In closing, that sums up my thoughts about ruck marching. I love it and feel great since I have picked it back up and do not plan on stopping anytime soon. Maybe shortly I'll be ready to take a shot at a 25-mile ruck like I did on the hills of Ft Benning during boot camp almost 15 yrs. ago. I encourage you to get out there and give it a shot. Until next time train real, train right and train often. Here is the link to the Men’s Health magazine http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/top-fitness-trend-of-2015 Robert Heckler
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Robert HecklerFormer US Army infantryman and combat veteran. worked in law enforcement as a patrol supervisor, instructor, and SWAT operator. Holds a BS in criminal justice management and currently working towards his masters Archives
August 2015
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