Eric got me to thinking about the Tactical March a bit more and I thought I may as well start a thread on Marching advice.

As a former squid I have no true humping experience, so I'm stuck relying on 3rd party information. So I can't really vouch for it's authenticity but I figure it has to be better than nothing. Additionally, these have been collected from civilian sites, so their applicability in a training environment is questionable. However, there are enough old folks like me posting on here, I figure it would be beneficial to share. Feel free to add more tips or discuss the ones provided. That's what we're here for.

Packing:
The way you pack your backpack can have a profound effect on the success of your trip. For maximum comfort on the trail, you will want to pack the lightest items on the bottom. So grab your sleeping bag and extra clothing first. Heavier items like stove fuel, food, and extra water should be placed on top. According to "Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills, 6th ed." these heavier items should be packed slightly lower for rougher terrain, allowing for optimum balance. Make sure the weight lies close to your back.

All of those exra pockets outside the main compartment of your pack should be filled up with items you may need to quickly access. Place an extra water bottle within a quick grasp. Other items you may want to easily access include maps, sunglasses, rain jacket, knife, flashlight, and any of the other ten essentials. I like to keep my water filter handy, also, in case my water supply should run low before I get to camp.

Blisters:
1. Break in hiking shoes or boots well before your hike, wearing the same shoe-sock combination you will use on the trail.

2 Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape or duct tape before you start hiking, if you know you're likely to have a problem. Put the tape directly on your skin; when you're done hiking, take off your boots and pull off the tape immediately. The heat and sweat from your feet will make it easier to remove.

3. Apply a patch or doughnut of moleskin to the hot spot or cover it with tape. Theories about the pros and cons of patches, doughnuts and tape vary. Experiment and find what works best for you.

4. Use foot powder and change into a dry pair of socks before you put your boots or shoes back on and continue hiking.

5. Many hikers use liner socks' thin socks that absorb sweat and heat away from your feet. Regular thicker socks are worn on top of these. The liners provide a protective layer for the outer socks to rub against.

Breathing: Here's a link to an interesting study on breathing: edited as per TOS-PG

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ninjadrill,

quote:

Originally posted by PonyGuard:


As a former squid I have no true humping experience,

-PG

UMM TMI!!!!!!!

lol, I thought that one might come back at me.

On point, here's what a grizzled Marine sent me:

first you want to make sure that your boots fit snug but not tight. Loose boots are the quickest way to get blisters, the whole rubbing thing. Also too tight boots will do the same. I use Thorlo Socks in my boots, they are a little think but have some fibers in them that help rpevent blisters. If you dont want to spend the money on the socks, usually about 5-7 bucks a pair, regular boot socks with nylons, knee highs, underneath will prevent bliters. Also changing socks frequently, if possible helps too.

Another trick is to get your boots wet an then wear them, usually go for a long slow run. Then let your boots dry. This way your boots will mold to your feet and fit better when they dry and help prevent boots.

Also just walking and wearing boots will get your feet callosoused (sp). Toughening up your toesies. If you have the boots now I would wear them a while to get your feet and ankles used to the supports. Go on some hikes with them on. It would benefit you to wear a RUCSAC moderately weighted as well so that you will get used to the weight on your back and your feet. Just walkinng in boots is one thing, but add an extra 60 lbs, its another.

-PG

The former navy seal in my WTC platoon told me to wear nylons like he did. It worked ok. We went shopping for lipstick afterwards...

A couple of these posts made me think. I used to wear my black dress socks under my wool socks. Another tip I was given to prevent blisters was vaseline your feet up. Instead of using tape you might want to try moleskin on your blister prone spots.

if you have some cojones and the will to continue, you should have absolutely nothing to worry about a lil march. Seriously guy it has nothing to do with what your former service was but entirely on your will to finish a task which was put unto u. It's something so simple and not that big of a deal.

You are going to have a ruck which has a belt you can buckle around your waist, it will help with the weight. You're going to carry extra set of ACU's, shirts and some basic necesitties for your FTX. I don't think it's any more than maybe 50lbs or so. Again I have to stress, when I went through basic before or these "nice Army" rules came into effect, there were 100lb females carrying the same weight as 200lb males. You will do fine! keep your feet moving, don't stress it and you will do fine. Try to play capture the flag (in your head) that helped me out. that's it no science needed

18 years ago I would have agreed with you, but today... not so much lol.

I'm with you, I know what you're saying and I promise that I could cover the terrain tomorrow if I had to. But while this really is just a lil march, it's also a big part of what I plan on doing with my time in. I don't like guesswork, and I don't like surprises. Surprises are the by-product of poor planning. So I'm trying to plan as best I can. I act on the information I have, and I gather that which I don't.

-PG

quote:

Originally posted by Oldervet:
The former navy seal in my WTC platoon told me to wear nylons like he did. It worked ok. We went shopping for lipstick afterwards...

Actually, they did this in the 1980's, it was the black nylon dress socks that went with the low quarters, with the green wool socks over. I never tried that myself and I think it was urban legend.

Issue socks with foot powder is all I used. The Dr Schools foam inserts to cushion the walk. On a 12 miler they deteriorate pretty bad by mile 10-11, so they didn't work too well.

However, having them in the day after the march when your recovering.....is nice.

PonyGuard you have a lot of the tips in your first post. I would add one more by gruntpain1775 before he took off on us as a MOD.......eat pasta the night before.

I never did that myself though. I never worried about road marches. Honestly, I'm 45 right now and I am confident I could still complete the 12 miler to EIB standards.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ErichG2,

quote:

Originally posted by corpiii:
I used to wear my black dress socks under my wool socks.

OK so maybe it wasn't urban legend...lol.

Ok I understand yor point. Imma tell you what some people did for their feet. 1) Black dress sock or panty hose under the green wool socks. The hose are also great for the guys to rag on you 2) buy Danners or Black Hawk boots. My best bet personally is to go with the boots, black hawks are awesome on your feet, so are the Danners but that would depend on your personal preference.

Many people went without any sort of blisters on my feet. Use plenty of foot powder (Desenex) keep your feet clean and dry. That's the best info you can possibly be given. The rucks are standard issued and there won't be any special way to pack it to make the load more bearable. Strong calves and the lack of shin splints will get you through it.

oh one more thing, the furthest road march will be 5 miles, so unless you're going infantry, there won't be any 10-15 mile marches.

Also make sure that when you are issued your boots that they are snug NOT tight nor too loose. Boots which are too tight or too loose is the main cause for blisters. I hope this helps.

quote:

unless you're going infantry, there won't be any 10-15 mile marches.

Winner!!!! That's the goal for me.

thank you everyone for the advice, this has really proven to be an effective exercise for me.

-PG

When you get issued your Black dress socks look at the white stenciling on the side of the sock...IT SAY "BOOT LINER" put them on then put the green socks on.

Okay here is a tips from a guys that can march like there is no trmw. I went through WTC back in April. I made a big mistake by not adjustment the rackshack and my sling on my first march so my shoulder were killing me. On my second march I put on 2 pairs of sock and made many adjustment on my ruck and m 16 slings. That helps out alot plus hydrating and opening up my sleeves on ACU. Shoes were another thing. It had to comfortable and fit for your feet. I just did a 12miles ruck march down and up hills it took nearly 3hrs to finish. I had bad blister so this time I'm going to tape my heels or put vaseline on it. This will help me while I'm pacing my fellows soldiers to get qual for air assualts.

Dress socks (boot liners) is the way to go - with moleskin on your known problem areas. I've done quite a few miles this years - both ruck and litter (with heaviest squad member on the litter)marches - and have had zero issues.

Good advice here.

Semper Fi!

man, those little marches in WTC are a joke! if you are in even a little bit of shape dont sweat them......get the fox river socks they sell at the MCSS, they work great!

quote:

"man, those little marches in WTC are a joke! if you are in even a little bit of shape dont sweat them......get the fox river socks they sell at the MCSS, they work great!"

Yeah, I was all worried reading all these boondock tips, then saw it was only five miles with 50 pounds. I do more than that on geology class field trips.

They do frown on M-16s in the college vans, though.