PT! Good for you! Good for me!

[USAFDefender]

Well guys, D-Day draws closer and closer for me as I prepare to leave for SERE Indoc. If I pass Indoc, I'll have to head to Combat SERE and pass that as well. Once those two courses are out of the way, I'll leave for SERE Specialist Tech School (or A-school).

My question is for you grunts out there that have had serious Physical TRaining ahead of you. Whether it was Ranger School, BUDS, Airborne, AA, HALO, Jump Master, or whatever...what did you guys do to prepare yourselves both mentally and physically? Did you do a certain routine that helped you alot, only eat a certain way, or stay away from a certain food? Anything you guys can give to get me over prepared for this Indoc course would be a Godsend. Thanks for your time.

[Garrett]

I have no idea... but good luck, you will pass

[rabbid37]

Good luch with that! Hope all goes well

[USAFDefender]

Thanks guys. I do have some other programs that I've heard other people do, was just hoping someone here would like to share their routine for preparation.

[Rusty24]

It's all about mental strenghth. When I went through tech school the 5 other guys that were going airborne were very good athletes. One was a NCAA cross country runner, and the others either ran track in college or high school. Then there was me that had no training when it came to the area of running. But I was damned if they were going to beat me ... which they did.... but I tried and that is all that mattered.

Tips are good, but do what the instructors tell you. If you do, you can not go wrong. Remember your core values! If there is a leader, support them, if not, step up. I'm sure you will have a few youngins that may need mentoring .... the earlier the better.

In training you are a team. Not a "Just out of Basic Team" and a "Retrainee Team". Include everybody at all times no matter what..... even if the person is a geek. We had a kid in tech school that was a total dork but he could score chicks and was always willing to "Take the Grenade"

I work with a SERE guy that has been doing it for almost 20. Ask away and I will ask him.

Quitting means YOU gave up ..... Failing means you gave it your all and just could not complete it!

When I was preparing for RANGER school, I really didn't know what to expect. My dad had told me it was tough, but I didn't know how tough till I went through the school. The best advice I can give you is don't let them get into your head.Once they see they have gotten into your head, then they won't stop till they make you quit. They want to see how you react to making command decisions under extreme pressure and conditions. If you need further advise, feel free to shoot me an email.

[0311Marine]

When doing your pull ups. (Im not even sure if the AF does them, but just in case you do) attach some weight to your ankles, and do as many as you can, then take the weights off and max out again, do this for awhile and your pull up number will sky rocket.

i am not sure if you left yet-but i went through cct indoc and sere students are in the same training squadron. the biggest thing for you to do is work on rucking. one of the best ruck excersises i have done is throw some weight in your ruck and jump on a stairmaster. kicks you in the rear but the workout pays. do lots of push ups. wide hand, reg hand, tricep and diamond. you'll do lots of em. be prepared to eat some "interesting" food. you'll be surprised how many parts of a rabbit you can eat. ha. biggest thing is mental...if you want to do it-you can.

[USAFDefender]

Nope, haven't left yet; just haven't been in goinfantry for a minute.

Thanks for the advice guys. I leave for indoc on around the 19th of March. School begins 22 March. I'm not exactly confident that I will smoke the course, I just pray I pass. I know I have the heart to not quit, but I just hope I'm physically fit enough for that to be enough. I still have a month though and its time to kick it into high gear.

I've definitely been working on my chin-ups and running. Sit-ups and push-ups are my problem areas. I'm going to starting pouring on the Armstrong program for push-ups. I want SERE so damn bad. I've given up so much. Special duty, instructor slots within my career field, LASIK... Are you all to playing the world's smallest violin for me yet?

Rusty: Could you ask your SERE friend a question for me? Am I authorized to bring a personal knife to Indoc for the field? Also, does it matter how well (or not so well) I do during everyday PT if I still pass my PT test on Monday? Meaning, if I'm constantly falling out or not being able to complete the sets, but on test day I pass the PT test, am I still a go or can I still be dropped since I sucked the whole time before the PT test?

[USAFDefender]

Also, does it matter how well (or not so well) I do during everyday PT if I still pass my PT test on Monday?

During Indoc I mean.

[Rusty24]

I will ask about the knives.

When I went into my tech school I did about 35 push-ups and about 40 sit-ups and was clicking off 2 miles in the 15-16 range. Well the cross country guys helped me with my run. For push ups it’s not about strength it’s about endurance. Straight up PT will get you there, but to go above and beyond it will take a little more.

I worked out with a couple of guys at the gym. Find your upper body mass weight by putting both of your hands on a scale (close grip push up). Let’s say the number read 100. Add 10% to your number (round up to the nearest 5lbs.) and that is you target number (110lbs.). DO NOT INCREASE BY MORE THAN 10%.

Now using your target weight, apply this to the Smith Machine in your local gym. Do a warm up set or two and then put your target weight 100 + 10% or 110lbs. Start repping away, numbers do not count, fatigue does! Do about 4 or 5 sets, not including warm up and this will help break you out of your rut/plateau when working out. This will help the 5 muscle groups in a good rhythm.

Also make sure you do some back exercises as well, mainly lower back. As you run your legs will get stronger but if you do not strengthen your back, your legs will over power it and you will be susceptible to injury.

Last June I was running along and when you transition from one sidewalk to another the concrete pathway (sidewalk) has a slope rather than a curb. Well I went down one side and as I was coming up the other I tweaked my back a.k.a. threw it out of alignment. Couldn't even walk or sit up straight. I went to the doc and said fix it. He was amazed that in the 8 years of running rucking jumping and playing with the Army that I had never been to the chiropractor. He straightened me out and gave me a list of exercises and I haven’t had a problem.

I hit a block recently with running. When I would do a set distance my mid-lap times increased. Say I ran 2 miles (8 laps) my times would be 1min, 1 min, 1min, 1:20, 1:20, 1 min, 1 min ....... It was a block. So to force myself over I did some treadmill running ...... but for time not distance. I would set the pace at 6.0 which is a 9:00 mile I think. After 5 minutes I would increase to 6.5, and after another 5 minutes up to 7.0, the 7.5 then 8 for a total time of 25 minutes. My mid times dropped a lot and the others had a few seconds trimmed as well (I did a progress check today).

If needed hit me up on the AF Global: callaway, r SSgt, at Pope AFB if you have anymore questions.


P.S. Make sure you do not click on my wifes name, she likes to toy with people and confuse the hell out of them ……… I do the same when her troops call and ask for Sgt Callaway.
“Yeah what do you need”?
“We were wondering if we could go home early?”
“Sure why not. Make sure you lock up and be safe”

[USAFDefender]

I did that exercise today....
Holy shit

Haven't done so many burnout sets like that in long time. They kicked my ass good. Not to mention I did a push-up program afterward as well. Thanks much for that, I only wish I did this 3 months ago, I would be at 150 push-ups by now. Thanks again, I'll be standing by for that knife answer.

[Coota0]

Is a Smith machine a bench press machine?