Intro to Long Range Patrol

I took this training in the spring after doing four days of flat range training a few months prior with Josh and Sam (Pistol 1&2 and Rifle 1&2). The instructors told us it was the kind of training that you wouldn’t appreciate and until several weeks later, and they were right! It was intense but definitely worth the time (and money), but I’m using the word “survived“ to describe my experience. Here are a couple of things to consider. -train physically before stepping off. That would include hiking with your full ruck sack and gear to get an idea of the endurance needed. Most of the two days is hiking with either your big ruck bag or your small assault pack. (Take blister bandaids and extra socks) -test your gear before you go. Don’t have the first time you try some of your gear be out in the field in the middle of the training. Stay organized, put fresh batteries in everything, and have backup batteries. -get comfortable with having about 10% of the information and needing to figure out the other 90%. The training is designed to stress test you. -have back up comms and work out the kinks. Many guys had their radios go down and it significantly impacted their experience. -take food that doesn’t require any prep. -pack appropriate snivel gear (some guys didn’t and they shivered all night) and be prepared to get virtually no sleep. The best story of the trip was one guy using his extra pair of boxer briefs as a toboggan so he didn’t freeze! -you will be both a leader and a follower, do so with humility. -practice using your night vision, preferably hiking at night through the woods. That was probably the most challenging skill of the training. -learn some land navigation prior to the training. In addition to the compass consider a digital GPS. The one guy who had one, ended up saving us all from hiking in the wrong direction all night. -ditch your war belt. They convinced all of us to leave them behind and we were all grateful that we did. Transfer any gear on your belt into your pack. -wear knee pads! and take a watch. The trainers were good/hard. Josh is the cool sniper and throws in lots of extra tidbits throughout the training. Sam will ride you, but is a night vision guru and eager to help with gear. John is just as passionate and clever as he is on his videos. This is definitely a training you should consider for your bucket list! (and ladies it is something you can do as well!)

I just finished this course. Train hard for climbing steep hills with 50 pounds of load at a fast pace. I wasn't ready for the physical part of this. Learned so much about patrol and navigation, but it kicked my butt. I had trained in weight room 3 days a week, did cardio, but I wasn't ready for the steep hills. My 64 year old body just isn't what it used to be. Josh, John and even Sam were patient and very helpful even when my mind went blank from fatigue. Toughest course I have done.

As a novice, I was intimidated when I received this training course as a gift. John, Sam, Mike - all were excellent instructors and answered questions, told stories to illustrate real world scenarios, and kept everyone safe. You should have a good level of cardio and physical fitness for this course. If you can't run a half mile with a 40 lb ruck, you should bring yourself to that level of fitness before the class begins. I'll never forget the awesome people and experiences. Thanks WPS!