This has been covered quite a few times in this forum, but perhaps a consolidation with an easy to find subject will help.

PT in Tech School will consist of cals, runs (distance, sprint), rucks, plyometric workouts, water con, log pt, exercises you have never heard or seen before, etc etc etc. It varies per flight and group of instructors, so don't worry about doing the specific exercises trying to get as ready as possible, because they will always throw something a little different in the routine. It usually only lasts 2 hours in the morning, but sometimes they might get you up early and it lasts 3,4,5, or even 8 hours. They might even PT you 2 or 3 separate times in a single day on occasion. If you can pass an Army PT test with a score of 60 in each category upon arrival (while doing PROPER pushups and situps), then you have met the minimum requirement to enter training. Many guys who barely met the minimums have gone on to improve and excel, while many have showed up as PT studs and didn't make it past the 2nd week of training. PT will challenge the weak as well as the strong, that is the point-to push everyone.

A good workout that includes calisthenics and core strengthening exercises would be an excellent way to prepare. Read about the workouts on specialtactics.com and other sites, then make your own as you gain more experience. Stretching and flexibility is also important, it will help reduce your chance of injury. Don't neglect this area.

For rucks, don't worry so much about them-they are just going to suck regardless, just deal with it. The course will build you up over time while you are there. If you want to get your body used to rucking, get an ALICE pack and put a 25 pound plate in it (no point in doing more), then practice walking briskly taking big steps (NOT running), and do 3-4 miles. Running with a ruck on isn't healthy, so don't do it when you don't have to.

Swimming is not a mandatory requirement, the 200m swim was dropped shortly after its inception. Swimming is a good form of conditioning so I recommend it, but not being a swimmer won't currently keep you from becoming a TACP.

I'm certainly not an expert, but I hope this clears up some things for you guys. Sorry if it's a little hard to follow-a few weeks of little sleep will do that. The school is challenging, but it isn't BUD/S or PJ indoc either. Train smart, hard, have a desire to excel and not fail, and you will get there. Screw off, don't take it seriously, lose focus, question your motives, and you won't.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Birdman23,

Great post, Birdman! very informative and useful. I leave July 24th for TACP and cannot wait.

Bro thanks
This was exactly what i was looking for

Dave

I will let you know about my dates... if you want

What are the longest rucks you'll have to do while in tech? I've tried a couple rucks so far on my own, but with a backpack from Target and 45lbs of plates inside. 3 miles in 45min is what I've been able to accomplish relatively easy. I only worry though about 10+ miles! Any ideas?

Don't worry about 10+ miles right now, you will get to that point later. Walking 3-5 miles with a total weight of 35-45 pounds is all you need to do, preferably with a large ALICE frame ruck. Bates Enforcer Series boots are also a popular choice for rucks, so pick up a pair and start breaking them in if you can. It's better than breaking them in during your first few weeks

In Tech School you will do 2x (4,6,8, and 10 milers) and one 12 mile ruck as the last graduation requirement. It used to be done on a sand road with some pretty fun hills, but I heard that they don't use that course anymore, so feel lucky... or cheated. The 8,10, and 12 will be done with a minimum 72 pound rucksack along with combat equipment. Don't try and train for this now, you will build up to that during training. Doing a few miles with decent weight will build up the muscles used and get your body used to the process. Trying to go out and do 10 miles with 75 pounds in your backpack will do nothing for you right now except probably get you injured.

You're allowed to bring/use non-issued boots to tech? How about as far as socks and footcare goes? I've heard some horror stories....=/

You will want to buy a set of rucking boots and a set of jungles (Wellco ripple soles are a great choice) for the field. You can choose to wear the issued Gore-Tex stuff you get in BMT, but when walking through swamps in water shoulder deep, that isn't a great idea-your feet will never dry. Socks? I recommend Smart-Wool stuff. By far the best IMO, but for others it might be something else. I never had a problem in school with my feet, but some guys looked like their foot was going to disintegrate away, so find what works for you.

Don't worry about it all that much, it really isn't that hard. Just show up in shape with a good attitude, get motivated when things suck, and before you know it the school is over. It's only 14 weeks, you spend a lot of time in class, and you live in Fort Walton Beach with weekends off. It will probably be the best time of your life, have fun.

Thanks for all the help and insight, Birdman. One thing considering the rucking boots though, I found this website Cop Shoes, that sells the Bates Enforcer boots, but which ones listed there would be best in your opinion? They sure look comfortable! It'll be a great relief to do some longer rucks in those than what I've been using...Adidas Sambas! hahaha

I’m not here to recommend which footwear choice is the best, but I will advise whatever choice you decide to go with you need to consider what will you be stuck with in deployed location if what you believe is best becomes missing or worse get torn or otherwise unusable at the deployed location.

In saying this I had my preferred foot wear, but I was always in position to ensure reissue resupply was identified on my consumable supply and support logistics support list and more importantly an inventory of resupply was sitting already purchased on the supply self.

I’ve not seen this happen with PJs, CCT or other Tier-one (Army) units, but nothing is more pathetic than supposed military professions suddenly saying they can’t do an op because the nice gear they bought on their own dime is lost and misplace and the only issue option is standard issue. Even on the teams, what you get for issue is typically determined by the teams senior NCOs and top leaders and not the rank and file. Consequently, my recommendation is be there either at the school or the operational team and do in Rome as the Romans do.

The only other advice I can give is I never have found a boot that works as needed in all conditions. Another reason to arrive at an operational team and do in Rome as the Romans do. They are there and typically have knowledgeable familiarity with the boots best suited to the area of operations.

I can’t speak of other tech schools, but the PJ and CCT training budget for each student includes issue of some top of the line boots and other footwear.

Currently in the TACP field the BAMS gear isn't issued until reporting to the assigned unit after Tech School, unlike you darn AFSOC guys . I heard rumors that this would change, but as far as I know it hasn't changed YET, so a lot of the guys get stuck having to buy their own boots, socks, and miscellaneous field items while in training.

quote:

Originally posted by johca:
I can’t speak of other tech schools, but the PJ and CCT training budget for each student includes issue of some top of the line boots and other footwear.

I remember going to Running Wild in Pensacola a couple years ago while in training to get some running shoes, and one of the guys fitting my feet commented unknowingly "You know, usually you guys come in on a big bus and the AF pays for everyone's shoes, what happened?" Ha... yet another instance where I realized that I should have gone CCT

Well, I'm going on Friday to a store to pick out a pair of ruck boots. Which Bates Enforcers of those in the website do you think I should go with?

Whichever ones you like best, they are going on your feet not mine

I had one of the old instructors recommend them to me. They're inexpensive, hold up well, and are comfortable. They are good for rucks and runs in BDU's. They won't hold up in the field, so that is why you want your jungles too. Just get the jungles early enough to where you can break them in and get your feet used to them before you go to the field.

Anyone know anything as far as crosstrainees go...ie. lodging, class leadership, etc... Also how is the ops tempo for deployments in this AFSC ie time deployed, mission tempo, etc.. Thanks for all the help. Good info so far!!!

Cross-trainees are lodged with the non-prior students in the dormitories. They used to have separate dorms, but were recently combined to foster more teamwork and leadership to the youngins.

As a cross-trainee you have the possibility of becoming the class leader at any point in time. Usually the highest ranking will start off as the class leader, if he can't get the job done it gets passed to who they think can.

Time deployed? You will probably go overseas within 6-8 months of graduation, this seems to be the trend. Possibly even soooner, for 6+ month deployments. The mission tempo varies by the AO and who you are supporting. You might be busy, you might not be. Could be a little of both.

what is the total time in training from indoc to first assignment?
Im trying to crosstrain in, im a cop right now and dont really want to spend years in tech school/pipeline.

Re-read the thread man, it answers your question.

Hey if anyone is looking for a PT training program to get ready for TACP, we have the only one on the internet. I designed it because I have not only been through TACP school, but I also know that no one had them. We also have great daily workouts:
http://www.fatalfitness.com

for the TACP training guide:
http://www.fatalfitness.com/USAF_TACP_Elite_Training_Guide

quote:

Originally posted by justachillinmon:
what is the total time in training from indoc to first assignment?
Im trying to crosstrain in, im a cop right now and dont really want to spend years in tech school/pipeline.

Where are you stationed? I'm a cop and i'm crosstraining into tacp as well.

i will be a senior in high school this year and i am 100% sure that im goin into the A.F after high school. but i am torn on two jobs TACP and Aerial Gunner. i am kind of leanin toward aerial gunner (hence my username) but i was wondering how long is TACP school?.

Why do you want TACP and why do want AG?