What are you currently doing to prep for SFAS or SFRE

[Amobir]

Although I am not training for SFAS, the Israeli Defence Forces' selection process is not too different from what I understand. I have been training in Crossfit for about 4 months and recently I have taken on this specific schedule designed by Rob Ord of Brass Ring Fitness:

Monday-Crossfit (AM). Selection specific training (PM).
Tuesday-Crossfit (AM). Selection specific training (PM).
Wednesday-Crossfit.
Thursday-Selection specific training.
Friday-Crossfit (AM). Selection specific training (PM).
Saturday/Sunday rest.

The "selection specific training" usually consists of rucking, running, fireman carries, crawling, sprint training, pullups, pushups, situps, etc.

P.S In addition to physical training I also pray 3 times daily, read many books, and consciously practice honesty, integrity, and reliability.

[Blind Eye]

Originally Posted by Murak

I've been following the training program provided by SORB for the past four weeks, seen significant improvement in every area.

www.bragg.army.mil/sorb/Text/SELECTED_EBOOK.pdf

Charlie mic.

What I don't understand is in this instructional guide above, is how the main points that they give on foot care is the exact opposite advice Major Joe Martin details in "Get Selected".

They advise filing/scrubbing the hard calloused portions of your feet down till they're smooth.
VS
Joe Martin gives advice on how to actually make your skin callous faster, by walking barefoot, training till you have hot spots and not using poly liner sock when training so you develop them.

They advise to use lotion often on your feet and extra attention (lotion) to your callouses.
VS
Joe Martin says to use an alcohol bath after marches and spraying your feet with Arrid xx dry durring training to close off the sweat glands and also toughen feet (and dries them out, not moisturizes).

They also talk about using different lubes on your feet for certain portion of training (wet portions).
VS
Joe Martin preaches "keep your feet dry" moisture+friction causes blisters.


So maybe some of our more experienced members could shed some light on this contradictory statements.

[Murak]

I am not an experienced member and am only replying as this is an open thread, treading lightly in hopes I did not over step my boundaries. Hope this helps Blind Eye, charlie mic.

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Furry,

GET SELECTED is the conversation we would have if you and I sat down and had a detailed discussion about preparing for SFAS. I had this conversation with several Soldiers who had asked me long before even getting involved with the SOPC program.

Perhaps you missed the section of the book, where I said this is what worked for me. If you have the same conversation with any other SF Soldier and ask the EXACT SAME questions, you'll get different answers. BUT, over time, as you ask more and more, you'll find similarities.

And then you should go TEST what works for you.

Experienced Soldiers know things won't go exactly in accordance with an Operations Order (OPORD). But you have to have a baseline, a plan. GET SELECTED is that baseline. From there, you can FRAGO as you like.

Best of luck.
WM

[33army]

In "caveman" terms, find out what works for you. Get Selected and this forum are just an information "Baseline", or a starting point if you will. Search for what you are looking for and use common sense when you go out and try it. If it works, continue to train. If it causes the bottom of your feet to fall off, well you obviously learned from that mistake so adjust fire and continue to train. I am not a QP, but I think there may be a reoccuring theme here. Don't look for the easy answer here. The hard way usually works better. That's just my $.02.

[Slantwire]

Originally Posted by Blind Eye

What I don't understand is in this instructional guide above, is how the main points that they give on foot care is the exact opposite advice Major Joe Martin details in "Get Selected".

Two answers.

First, generally, there's more than one way to skin a cat. SORB's recommendation may work for you. LTC Martin's recommendations definitely worked for me.

Second, the specific examples you cite are not as contradictory as they may appear at first glance. More a case of "different actions in different circumstances."

Originally Posted by Blind Eye

They advise filing/scrubbing the hard calloused portions of your feet down till they're smooth.
VS
Joe Martin gives advice on how to actually make your skin callous faster, by walking barefoot, training till you have hot spots and not using poly liner sock when training so you develop them.

They advise to use lotion often on your feet and extra attention (lotion) to your callouses.
VS
Joe Martin says to use an alcohol bath after marches and spraying your feet with Arrid xx dry durring training to close off the sweat glands and also toughen feet (and dries them out, not moisturizes).

These are both examples of "maintaining what you've built up," vs "how you build it up in the first place."

What happens to callouses as they age and dry out? Those thick pads of skin will harden and crack, until you have to tear it off and start all over. If you've got a consistent pressure in a consistent place, you'll get creased edges, which will also harden.

Smooth out the hardened spots so they don't catch and tear. Don't file off the good part of the callous.

Originally Posted by Blind Eye

They also talk about using different lubes on your feet for certain portion of training (wet portions).
VS
Joe Martin preaches "keep your feet dry" moisture+friction causes blisters.

Ever waterproof anything? Maybe stain a deck? Sure, the barrier coat isn't "dry," but how much water does the wood absorb in the next rain?

[Blind Eye]

I assumed both ways could work for different individuals, and better for some than others. I just thought it was odd that one says to keep your feet moisturized and nice ans soft, while the other tells you to toughen them up and dry them out.

I myself tend to believe that toughening your feet is the better route and thats the way I've been preparing them.

Though I can understand the point SORB is making by saying that it is a lot harder to treat blisters once they form under the calloused area. I just think that the prevention of the blisters in the form of calloused hot spot areas seems smarter than it being easier to address the issue once it happens.

[Slantwire]

Originally Posted by Blind Eye

I assumed both ways could work for different individuals, and better for some than others. I just thought it was odd that one says to keep your feet moisturized and nice ans soft, while the other tells you to toughen them up and dry them out.

You missed my point. WM's advice addresses someone trying to toughen up soft feet. The SORB recommendation is targeted to someone who already has good callouses. They don't say to have your feet be "nice and soft," they give advice to keep that leathery pad from coming off like an old scab.

So first you build callouses (WM). Then you have to maintain them (SORB). Over time, that thick pad of dead skin (that you spent so much effort to build) will dry out, harden, crack, and fall off your foot. The new skin underneath is as soft and tender as though you never started. So delay the hardening with lotion. Once parts have hardened, file down hard edges or cracks to prevent them from catching and tearing.

[Blind Eye]

Ok, roger that Slantwire.

Thank you for the clairification that makes a lot more sense. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

[TimberWolf82]

.

[33army]

I would kill to have that much free time to train.

I could post the attached link in any number of threads, but thought it would reach a larger audience of students who need land navigation resources.

http://lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/

Enjoy.

"When I enlisted, I thought I'd see the world. Never thought I'd have to walk it."

[airbornediver]

MWF during lunch
3x 29 pushups
3x 15 closehand(diamond) pushups
3x 15 wide arm pushups
3x 30 situps
3x 30 crunches
3x 30 flutter kicks

M-F during lunch
pullups

M-Fri PM
M - 2 mile run (as quick as possible) + weight lifting at gym
Tu - 5 mile cross country ruck
W - 4 mile run + weight lifting at gym
Th - 2 mile run (as quick as possible)
Fri - 5 mile cross country ruck + gym

Sat - 6 mile run cross country.

Sun - 8 mile ruck over cross country.

Next week will be a repeat of the run mileage (just started hitting solid flat 7s on the 2 milers), but the ruck mileage for each of the 3 ruck days will be @ 8.

Following week will see an increase in mileage and ruck mileage will go to 10.

[Horned Frog]

Maybe I am over-simplifying the solution, but I am just following the workout schedule listed in USAREC Pamphlet 601-25, In-Service Special Forces Recruiting Program. It's a 5 week, alternating hard/easy day workout designed (or so I understand) by USAREC to prepare current soldiers for success at SFAS.
I'd like to ask the opinion of anyone familiar with this publication what they would recommend doing on "easy" days. Right now I am focusing on push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups in order to improve APFT scores, but the pamphlet is unclear as to whether I should do free weight exercises on my off days as well. I appreciate y'alls time and help.

Originally Posted by TBRenigh

Maybe I am over-simplifying the solution, but I am just following the workout schedule listed in USAREC Pamphlet 601-25, In-Service Special Forces Recruiting Program. It's a 5 week, alternating hard/easy day workout designed (or so I understand) by USAREC to prepare current soldiers for success at SFAS.
I'd like to ask the opinion of anyone familiar with this publication what they would recommend doing on "easy" days. Right now I am focusing on push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups in order to improve APFT scores, but the pamphlet is unclear as to whether I should do free weight exercises on my off days as well. I appreciate y'alls time and help.

On easy days, conduct a PT test, go all out in performace, what you'll have is a 30-45 min. workout, followed by an hour of swim/pool time, but go easy. Hot tub, lots of stretching of warm muscles.

Your body needs rest, so do it.

For me, fitness means, strength, endurance, and flexibility. I loved easy days as much as napping on Grandma's sofa.

[Horned Frog]

Thanks WD for the advice I'll incorporate that into my schedule.