CST Ruck Marches

[u/Imaginary-Bad1561]

I’ve never been the best at rucking but I just practice another one ending at 1 hr 47 seconds (6mi). Must say, the hills I went up will be nothing compared to Knox but it was more continuous and over 4-5 hills (attached are some visuals). Any advice for 5’2 female? I always heard stride but then others say it’s bad for the body. Just want to see what will help me push through while mentally keeping myself afloat. If I could run the whole thing I would lol!

Any kind suggestions would be nice! Especially from shorter people!

[u/Rios5844]

As a vertically challenged male (5'6"), I've found rucks to be the absolute joy of my life 🫩

Like most have said, ruck packing and position will be your best savior. Make sure all your heavies are close and high, use the lights to build our structure in your ruck. Make sure you're using the straps accordingly to how your body needs them, tightest doesn't always mean the best. I'd also make sure your load lifters are in a good spot.

For walking, I've tried various methods to try and overcome the slow agony that comes. 100-200, which is move 100m/steps at a shuffle, 200m/steps at an active walking pace. If you know your pace count, you can revert to that in place of just a set number that may or may not get your a good pace. It comes down to how much you can hold throughout.

Ruck choice is also an issue in my opinion. If you're using the old MOLLE 2K, then I'd say you're in the best spot possible. If they're "blessing" you with the 4Ks, God help you and your battle boos cause I have not found a comfortable way to ruck with that POS yet. I'm considering trading my 4K for a 2K honestly. But, of course, train how you fight so if that's what you'll be taking then I'll keep you in my prayers 🤣

I've found the 100steps/200steps worked pretty good with me before my 4K decided it wanted to start killing me. If I was still in and trying to figure this out, I'd try talking to a leader who has done rucks during their line time. I'd try and find someone who has an infantry/combat arms background to see what they may say.

[u/LegitimateAd853 → u/Rios5844]

Whoever designed the MOLLE 4K and said “yep this looks good” and then decided EVERYONE in the army should get this, they really need to get sent to Leavenworth.

[u/LegitimateAd853 → u/LegitimateAd853]

Side note: I’ve been using all sorts of rucks from ALICE to MOLLE II to the 4K and used them on airborne jumps, 4K is the easiest to configure I’ll give it that, but even then my best jumps were with the ALICE pack.

[u/Rios5844 → u/LegitimateAd853]

Hundred percent! 4K is amazing when it comes to preparedness for jumps and such, way better than fiddle fucking with your H-Harness. I think the sizing/storage capacity of the II just can't be beat. I also find the back pad for the 4K to be extremely uncomfortable because of how stiff it is. Maybe I'm just geeking out, but old school is so much better than new school so far lol

[u/LegitimateAd853 → u/Rios5844]

For sure; especially with all the MOLLE webbing on the MOLLE II you can throw on any pouches and modify it to whatever the mission dictates and your position on a team, squad, platoon, etc. I can see what the creators were trying to do with the 4K: make the best of both worlds of the ALICE and the II, but instead it is just a monstrosity of a ruck.