Mosby: Combat Readiness vs Physical Fitness *LONG*

[CrystalHunter1989]

http://mountainguerrilla.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/fit-for-the-fight-a-conceptual-approach-to-physical-conditioning-for-security-patrolling

[USMC0331]

I skimmed over it, does he ever give a "test" for combat fitness or just list what past expectancies where? 

What do people here consider a minimum needed and you all can do it right?  I know I can no longer run 3 miles in 18min (actually only got to 18:05 when I was a young Marine), probably not even 2 miles in that time, but is that needed for SHTF?

Do I need to be able to hump 80lbs of gear 20 miles in a day over mountains?  It damned near killed me in S. Korea as young Marine, it ain't gonna be close sliding into 50 and 30lbs over weight.

[USMC0331]

Nevermind.. found it.  These are really unrealistic IMO.  Mosby still in his late twenties or something?

These standards are not mine, they’re actually just off-the-cuff thoughts on what I personally think a minimum acceptable standard would be, if I were outfitting and setting up a selected group of guys to perform security mission post-grid down. The reality is, like you, I’m going to be stuck with whatever I can scrape together. Fortunately, where I live, there is a metric shit-ton of former SOF and light-infantry veterans, with a healthy dose of extreme adventure athletes thrown into the mix, from hardcore backpackers and through-hikers, to rock climbers and serious alpinists. I might get lucky…

 

Once again, to reiterate, just meeting the “standards” is never enough. You need to exceed the standards. Also, remember, it’s not enough to exceed them once. You need to maintain that. “Selection is ongoing.“

 

Road-Marching: I believe, at a bare minimum, just counting rucksack weight, you should be able to hump a 65-lb rucksack, at a 12:00/mile pace, for 8-10 miles. That’s on a road, with hiking/combat boots, and full fighting load as well. Cross-country, or on an off-road trail, I would expect to see the proverbial

15:00/mile pace. Yes, I’m a dick like that. You however, are a pussy if you’re whining about it already. Just do it.

 

300 Meter Shuttle Run: In shorts and running shoes, hitting this in 00:59 will put you in the 50th percentile of collegiate running backs, according to a University of Nebraska study I read from the early 2000s. I think, in full fighting load, in 2:30 is reasonable. Maybe only 2:00.

 

One Mile Run: In fighting load, I’d like to see this done, as a terrain run, over moderate terrain, in less than ten minutes.

 

Litter Drag: This could be a litter, or just a weighted sandbag to replicate dragging a wounded partner. Within your group, figure out the average weight (in other words, for the mathematically challenged amongst us, add the bodyweight of every body in the group together, then subtract by the number of guys in the group) including fighting loads. Add 10%. Pull a litter that weighs that amount, 50 meters, then turn around and pull it back 50 meters, in one minute.

 

Sandbag Lift and Press: Use a sandbag that weighs the same as your bodyweight. From the ground, pick it up and press it to lock-out, over your head, for a minimum of one repetition. Alternatively, this could be done with a barbell, for convenience. I actually don’t know that this measure of pure strength has much bearing on pure combat fitness, but it sounds like a motherfucker, so when I just thought of it, I added it. Fuck it, I may try it, with the sandbag. I know I can do it with a barbell.

 

Conclusions

The specific standards I believe are necessary may or may not be relevant to you. They are suitably tough to probably be a good measure of what you should be able to accomplish to expect a pretty good chance of improving your odds of surviving the fight.

 

If they’re “too hard,” then don’t do them. Make up your own standards. But, just like every other aspect of training, have some fucking standards already. Don’t just go “exercise” (Really? Saying, “Hey, I’m going to go exercise!” really does make you sound gayer than a doorknob at a cocksucker’s convention! Talk about some Richard Simmons bullshit!), TRAIN!

[APX808]

Mosby strives for excellence.
He thinks combat elements must be young guys in great shape to support combat hardships.
And older guys, or people that isn't as fit should help in other roles, like the Auxiliary or training the younger guys.

His blog is the best tactical blog there is in the net, but you need to read many articles before you start to comprehend his ideas.

[USMC0331]

I've been reading his and MV's since I found this forum a few months ago.  Both have good info, but like I posted on his thread... video or it didn't happen and don't whine about it, do it. LOL

[sledge]

Mosby strives for excellence.
He thinks combat elements must be young guys in great shape to support combat hardships.
And older guys, or people that isn't as fit should help in other roles, like the Auxiliary or training the younger guys.

His blog is the best tactical blog there is in the net, but you need to read many articles before you start to comprehend his ideas.

Sounds good to me.  Taking names and kicking ass is a team effort.  You young guys can kick ass and I'll sit back with a legal pad and take names.   

 

[thatGuy]

Sledge, I literally laughed out loud 

On topic, 12 minute miles are rough for most mortals without a ruck. That is 2 hours even for 10 miles. All the recommendations I can find for SF candidates is to learn how to truck at a minimum of 15 minutes a mile with 13 minutes per mile a being a more studly number.

I broke my best last spring at 19.8 miles in just under 5 hours with 4,000+/- foot of elevation gain as an example of what a body can do. I wasn't at a USGI combat weight either! I was at a tG combat weight of 15lbs. 

[sledge]

Sledge, I literally laughed out loud 

On topic, 12 minute miles are rough for most mortals without a ruck. That is 2 hours even for 10 miles. All the recommendations I can find for SF candidates is to learn how to truck at a minimum of 15 minutes a mile with 13 minutes per mile a being a more studly number.

I broke my best last spring at 19.8 miles in just under 5 hours with 4,000+/- foot of elevation gain as an example of what a body can do. I wasn't at a USGI combat weight either! I was at a tG combat weight of 15lbs. 

Back in the day when I was doing 500 push ups and 500 sit ups a night I'd have been willing to go for a long walk with you.  But at this stage I think I'll just sit back and admire.  Sounds like you're doing pretty good to me.

[thatGuy]

To be honest, it is just about the only thing in my life I enjoy anymore.. besides coffee, cigarettes and puppies. God I love porno.. err puppies..

[Kentactic]

Nice TG. 20 X 15 minute miles is pretty darn good on flat ground. Adding 4,000ft of climb is much harder.

I did 6 miles with a 50lb pack and 2,000ft of climb ending at 7,500ft in about 3.5hrs... guess what happened at the top? I struck a nice fever from exhaustion. Popped 2 Ibuprofins and I was good but still. Funny thing was our ride was only 45 mins away on a last minute notice the next day. We did that hike DOWN in about 1 hour and i felt great. (Yep some how I managed 6 back to back ten minute miles with a 50lb pack lol) Its that uphill shit that kills you lol

As far as lifting a 250lb sand bag over my head. Not seeing that happening anytime soon.  Lol

[CrystalHunter1989]

It took me three years to get to where I am now. Maybe I can get as far as Mosby is suggesting in another three. Might be crazy to try, but the effort won't be wasted.

Just remember, we're putting more into this than 90% of the nation. That counts for something.

[APX808]

I've been reading his and MV's since I found this forum a few months ago.  Both have good info, but like I posted on his thread... video or it didn't happen and don't whine about it, do it. LOL

You can go to one of Mosby's classes if you want to see it for yourself.

[USMC0331]

I can think of better things to do with $2000 then go to a class and watch an ex SPECOP ruck and PT, even if he was 40+ years old.

Reality is that most are not and the fighters of his revolution  are not all going to be ex SPECOPS guys.

There is idealism and there is realism.

[APX808]

Here is more food for thought

http://maxvelocitytactical.blogspot.com.ar/2013/10/operational-fitness.html

[CrystalHunter1989]

Here is more food for thought

http://maxvelocitytactical.blogspot.com.ar/2013/10/operational-fitness.html

Another good blog from a guy who knows his stuff. I read both regularly.

[APX808]

Yeah, both Mosby and Max Velocity blogs are fantastic, usually one inspire the other and both end up writing about similar subjects.
Max is more accessible, he usually replies to mails and FB messages, Mosby is the total opposite, he never replies.

[Currahee]

PT (and other healthy habits)  is the number one thing you can do to up your survival.  It ups your survival even if you never have to fight or ruck fast and far to get out of a situation.  The first weeks of an "unplanned war" involving American non profesional soldiers would be be a brutal Darwinian process, and the fatties will be the first to go.

That being said I think some of those goals are like WOW, you would be at the top end of the curve in an airborn unit. I'm glad to see he mentions personal goals at the end.  Physical fitness is a very personal thing and you should set realistic goals for yourself depending on your age, current fitness level and available time. PT is the cheapest prep to work on but probably the most ignored, because, at a fundamental level our society is hedonistic and lacks self discipline.  Probably another symptom of why we're in the fix we're in anyway.

And, I don't think saying I'm "gonna go exercise" makes any implication of my sexual preference.