[sandytroop]

I have to admit I love all the new, high function Tactical Tafetta out there, and I will also admit I graduated from the Q in the latter Pleistoscene, but what ever happened to just glueing your army wool socks to your feet with Tincture of benzoin, putting on your boots, web gear and ruck, and just going to blows with your brain? For me, after the first month of training, rucking always ceases to be about my feet, back, knees, etc. It all comes down to what your brain can deal with and how well. It's almost like the youth don't understand that the whole selection / training process is teaches that success is found INSIDE the man, not in his kit. All your cool gear will fail you when you need it most, the only thing you will have for sure, that you can control, is your spirit. Look at the Afghans who walk in sandals over mountains that we would empty REI before we touched. In Khartoum, the Sudanese Army Signal School would run from their barracks to the airport in boots and BDU's to hold graduation ceremonies... and that was 25 miles. To be successful, all you really need is a rucksack full of ammunition, a functioning radio and a positive mental attitude. Almost everything else is sugar. Just my HO.