.png)
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
The following section will help you know what to expect from our events, and rucking in general, please read it in its entirety.
What does it cost?
There is no cost to participate in our events or practice rucks. For events we do ask you to weight your pack with specific items, usually nonperishable food, to be donated to our sponsored charity after the event is done. The types of requested items for each event may vary and will be listed on the event page.
Is it Family Friendly?
While we try and keep our events family friendly the ruck march itself is a strenuous activity done outside and smaller children may not be able to keep up. If your children are participating in the actual march make sure they drink plenty of water and bring a wagon or stroller they can ride if they get tired.
Is it Pet Friendly?
Pets must be kept on a leash at all times, make sure you have a way to give them water. Remember marches are often on hot pavement that may injure the pads of your dogs feet, pavement can be especially hot in the afternoon. Small dogs will likely have troubles with the lengths of marches. Cats will think your crazy if you ask them to march, but that’s what they think anyways.
What do I need to bring?
Bring plenty of water, especially on the practice rucks as it will not be provided. A good pair of shoes or boots, preferably with ankle support, is also required. Remember to wear comfortable and breathable clothes and bring a sturdy backpack or ruck.
Do I have to wear a ruck? (Backpack)
Yes we do ask in the nature of supporting our veterans you participate while wearing a rucksack but how much, or little, weight you choose to put in it should be based on your comfort level.
Is Rucking good exercise?
Yes we do ask in the nature of supporting our veterans you participate while wearing a rucksack but how much, or little, weight you choose to put in it should be based on your comfort level.
Anything else I should know?
Ruck marching is a very strenuous activity, and the biggest threat is heat exhaustion. It is very important that you hydrate by drinking a lot of amount of water both in the days leading up to the event as well as during the march itself. Once you have reached the stage of heat exhaustion this is a serious medical emergency and you can die without professional medical intervention.
If you have any other questions please contact us through our FaceBook Page.
military lingo
If you attend our rucks or follow us on Social Media you will quickly find out the military has a language all its own. Well consider this your cheat sheet to some of the terms you may hear at our events.
Battle Cry
Often as a response in the affirmative Military members make a weird sound, this is a Battle Cry and each Service Branch has its own Battle cry.
-
Army – Hooah
-
Navy – Hooyah
-
Marines – Oorah
-
Coast Guard – Hooyah (Same as Navy)
-
Air Force – Hooah (Same as Army)
Boot
This is the military version of Green Horn, New Guy, or any other slang term for someone who just got there and doesn’t know the ropes. (The opposite of Boot is Salty, someone who is Salty has been around a while and knows how things work.)
Bravo Zulu – Good Job...
Look I tried and I simply can’t come up with a fun way to explain this one so if you skip this I don’t mind, so here it is. The term originates from the Allied Signals Book (ATP 1). Signals are sent as letters and/or numbers, which have meanings by themselves sometimes or in certain combinations. A single table in ATP 1 is called “governing groups,” that is, the entire signal that follows the governing group is to be performed according to the “governor.” The letter “B” indicates this table, and the second letter (A through Z) gives more specific information. For example, “BA” might mean “You have permission to . . . (do whatever the rest of the flashing light, flag hoist or radio transmission says) “BZ” happens to be the last item in the governing groups table. It means “well done”.
Cut Sling Load
To drop a topic, problem, or person in a hurry. Originally comes from the military hand and arm signal given to a helicopter pilot when their rope-suspended cargo is liable to cause the aircraft to go out of control.
Military Time
Ever get confused if something is 7 am or 7 pm? Well, that can be more than a little inconvenient when you're talking about something like say Bombers hitting an area your currently in so the military uses a 24-hour clock so there is no question. Conversion is simple, before noon just drop the AM and write it always as 4 digits, now 7 am becomes 0700 (Zero Seven Hundred). Afternoon just drop the PM and add 1200 so 7 pm is now 1900 (Nineteen Hundred). Easier then you thought huh?
MOS
Short for Military Occupational Specialty, this is essentially your job title. Those in Combat Arms often use the coded version put on paperwork as they are well known. While the name is the same between branches the code is not, for Example Infantry is 11B (Eleven Bravo) in the Army but 0311 (O’ Three Eleven) in the Marine Corps.
Oscar Mike
This one is a lot like the text abbreviations you see online, except we use the Phonetic Alphabet as it is often said over a radio so it is just short for OM Which means “On the Move”.
PT
Can you tell the military loves our acronyms yet? This one is easy and it stands for Physical Training, or what civilians call exercise. This could be a short 5 mile run, or our favorite a leisurely Ruck March with all your gear on your back.
POG – Person Other than Grunt
is a name for someone not in Combat Arms, some people say the term is derogatory… but then they were reminded which side has guns.
Pop Smoke
means it is time to leave in a hurry. The term comes from the fact that smoke grenades are often used to cover movement from the enemy in a firefight or to signal the helicopters where to land.
Tango Mike – Thanks Much
Did you think the military doesn’t have manners?