GoRuck Challenges

[jhirsh5280]

Anyone ever participated in a GoRuck event? I was just reading through their website and my interest is definitely there. Would be cool to do a Light event for COAR members if we could get 30.

[birddog]

I've looked into them a lot but haven't jumped in as of yet.

[denverco]

Doin Goruck this weekend in Denver.

[jhirsh5280]

Denverco can you give us a full report? I'm interested, thanks

[HoneyBadger]

Never heard of them before now. Sounds like a freakin' blast!

[denverco]

Yeah i'll let you guys know how it is. Goruck Cadre also does range days/firearms instruction.

[Guylee]

I went through the site and am gathering that you pay a fee to go rucking. Am I missing something?

[denverco]

I went through the site and am gathering that you pay a fee to go rucking. Am I missing something?
Something like that.

[Guylee]

In that case, that sounds horrible.

[USAFGopherMike]

I'd be interested.

[TheBelly]

The hook is that it's a team building event. The method is physical exhaustion mixed with group events, like carrying a big log from here to there (and other things)

It's more lengthy, but that's really all there is to it. The US Military has used the same techniques for a very long time.

I'm young enough to think it'd be fun, but old enough to know that I don't need to prove anything to anyone.

[denverco]

In that case, that sounds horrible.
About as horrible as paying money to pick up heavy things or buying food in a restaurant you can make at home for a fraction of the price.

[Inconel710]

I put GoRuck in the same category as Tough Mudder or Spartan Race - Tell me again why am I supposed to pay concert ticket prices to be abused???

I went "rucking" this past weekend, in the snow. Didn't cost me a dime. The team aspect is the only thing appealing about GoRuck.
http://improvingeddie.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/winter-camping-and-seed-starting/

[denverco]

I put GoRuck in the same category as Tough Mudder or Spartan Race - Tell me again why am I supposed to pay concert ticket prices to be abused???

I went "rucking" this past weekend, in the snow. Didn't cost me a dime. The team aspect is the only thing appealing about GoRuck.
http://improvingeddie.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/winter-camping-and-seed-starting/
That's awesome! I'm proud of you! Why don't we save the thread for people who are interested in hearing about/organizing/participating in a challenge. Go start a "GORUCK. Tough Mudder, Spartan Race" is ghey thread.
PS:why would I pay for concert tickets when I can just listen to it on my ipod?

[Inconel710]

About the only positive I can see is the 20% discount on quality USA made gear. Without that, they make Kifaru look cheap!

[Inconel710]

That's awesome! I'm proud of you! Why don't we save the thread for people who are interested in hearing about/organizing/participating in a challenge. Go start a "GORUCK. Tough Mudder, Spartan Race" is ghey thread.
PS:why would I pay for concert tickets when I can just listen to it on my ipod?

This thread isn't titled "GoRuck is Awesome", the OP was looking for input on these events in general. Enjoy yourself this weekend - it's a free country and you can do what you like.

And no, I don't pay for concert tickets either. It's not my thing.

[denverco]

Putting GORUCK in the same category as Tough Mudder or Spartan Race is a terrible oversight. If you've read the actual origins of the program you'll notice the only thing the two have in common is physical challenge.
It's a class. There are Cadre. It is a team challenge not a race. To dismiss a GORUCK as a "pay money to go rucking" event only tells me that you're reading comprehension is less than a third graders.
From GORUCKs origin page:

"In that process, adversity spared neither gear nor the people carrying it. And people became the focus. The other Cadre and I taught Challenge takers how to lead, how to solve problems, and how to work better, together. Human bonds formed, limitations disappeared, and classes persevered."

This program gentlemen is a training opportunity not unlike your range days, firearms training classes. Learning to lead and be a part of a team is as perishable skill as any. Those who have served in the military know this. Those who have served in combat know this even better. Very rarely do civilians have the opportunity to be led, challenged and trained by SOF veterans. I have had the blessing in my own life to have been trained by, work with and challenged by SOF soldiers and veterans and they are hands down the smartest most professional men I have ever had the opportunity of knowing.
I'm suprised to see a board of this caliber with so many military and military honoring citizens dismiss such an opportunity.

[Inconel710]

Putting GORUCK in the same category as Tough Mudder or Spartan Race is a terrible oversight. If you've read the actual origins of the program you'll notice the only thing the two have in common is physical challenge.
It's a class. There are Cadre. It is a team challenge not a race. To dismiss a GORUCK as a "pay money to go rucking" event only tells me that you're reading comprehension is less than a third graders.
From GORUCKs origin page:

"In that process, adversity spared neither gear nor the people carrying it. And people became the focus. The other Cadre and I taught Challenge takers how to lead, how to solve problems, and how to work better, together. Human bonds formed, limitations disappeared, and classes persevered."

This program gentlemen is a training opportunity not unlike your range days, firearms training classes. Learning to lead and be a part of a team is as perishable skill as any. Those who have served in the military know this. Those who have served in combat know this even better. Very rarely do civilians have the opportunity to be led, challenged and trained by SOF veterans. I have had the blessing in my own life to have been trained by, work with and challenged by SOF soldiers and veterans and they are hands down the smartest most professional men I have ever had the opportunity of knowing.
I'm suprised to see a board of this caliber with so many military and military honoring citizens dismiss such an opportunity.

No, I did not read the entire website. But, now that you've dragged this down to the level of personal insults, I see you are in desperate need of leadership training. Enjoy yourself.

[275RLTW]

.This is being unnecessarily drug down with commentary from outsiders who don't know the cadre or program and think that the "get it" from reading a web page.Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using tapatalk 2

so according to your logic, why are you posting in this thread?

[275RLTW]

Nevermind.



Kelly, I'll answer you publicly.

I call BS where I see it. You just happen to do it more than others.

[denverco]

No, I did not read the entire website. But, now that you've dragged this down to the level of personal insults, I see you are in desperate need of leadership training. Enjoy yourself.
I'll let you find the hypocrisy in your reply.

I'll post an AAR after the weekend for those who are interested in the challenge.

[TheBelly]

I think the value in something like GoRuck is that it gives people who haven't had to deal with much physical adversity the opportunity to do so with a professionally trained cadre leading you.

I think of this as a method for those who 'haven't been punched in the face' (to coin a term from another thread on here) to go out and do so.

[Inconel710]

I'll let you find the hypocrisy in your reply.

I'll post an AAR after the weekend for those who are interested in the challenge.

It wasn't hypocrisy. More of a deliberate and calculated riposte to your insult. I didn't spend six years at sea on a submarine and not learn how to mess with someone's head. If there's one thing I learned in my 22 year Navy career (enlisted and officer) it's to not go into screaming fits like your post. Just because I question the value of GoRuck, doesn't mean I see no value in it. It simply means I haven't gotten enough information to raise the value of the experience above the costs of doing it. If you were looking to convince me of that value, it would have been better to make that argument instead of going for the insult. Now, maybe you haven't done one of these events before and all you have to go on is what's on the website or what you read at ITS and you don't have the personal experience to communicate that value. Hopefully, you have a great experience and learn alot and can educate the rest of us after this weekend. I really do look forward to your AAR.


I think the value in something like GoRuck is that it gives people who haven't had to deal with much physical adversity the opportunity to do so with a professionally trained cadre leading you.

I think of this as a method for those who 'haven't been punched in the face' (to coin a term from another thread on here) to go out and do so.

Probably so. Having been "punched in the face" since joining the Navy in '91, I know who I am and what I'm capable of doing. I am looking forward to denverco's AAR to see if it's something to recommend to others looking for that kind of experience.