[ARCHIVED THREAD] - TUSC @ DARC (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/13/2012 12:41:46 PM EDT
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I'm taking the Tactical Urban Sustainment Course at DARC in March. I'm very new at this type of thing. Can you guys help me out with advice for a newb in the DARC world?
What can I expect weather wise? What did you pack that you didn't need? What did you pack that was VERY necessary? What were the physical trials you experienced? Mental? I don't really know where to start asking questions/advice. I guess I'm looking for what you learned, and any advice you have for a chick going through the same course. |
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I'm taking the Tactical Urban Sustainment Course at DARC in March. I'm very new at this type of thing. Can you guys help me out with advice for a newb in the DARC world? What can I expect weather wise? What did you pack that you didn't need? What did you pack that was VERY necessary? What were the physical trials you experienced? Mental? I don't really know where to start asking questions/advice. I guess I'm looking for what you learned, and any advice you have for a chick going through the same course. Weather wise, well March is a "volatile" part of the year. I would say plan for everything. March
* average maximum temperature 62.7 * average minimum temperature 43.2 * average precipitation 4.66 inches * average snowfall .5 inches * west/southwesterly winds March gradually signals the beginnings of spring; however, it is common to see one last snowfall. During the latter part of the month, leaves and flower buds begin opening to welcome the warmer temperatures. changing weather in Arkansas means thunderstorms and possible 'naders as fronts move in and out. I would for sure bring some good rain gear. When I did TUSC last July, the weather was, well, downright miserable. Hot and humid. If I was planning for it in March, my clothing system would be different. There was much sweating and shedding/changing of clothes. A hammock might be a good idea, not sure what the ninja plans for in the way of sleeping arrangements. A good sleeping back would be in order at the very least, possibly one of those inflatable groundmats, which insulates you from the ground. If it's unseasonably cold, these can help a great deal in preventing the ground from sucking the heat out of your body. I'll skip the unnecessary things, which may be different from person to person. In regards to what I feel was necessary: bug spray a good water filter (pump ones are ok, but you have to pump them, the hanging gravity systems allow you to do other things while you get your water and are silent) a good pack, use one with a good support system (like this one) good boots, waterproof but breathable, with good ankle supports. knee pads safety glasses Personal protective equipment for the sim rounds snacks (having hot meals was amazingly good for moral, but sometimes you don't have the time) twinkies and cupcakes are favorites 
water flavoring good set of ninja gloves (I used leather palm padded mechanix gloves) you will get shot in the hands ALOT...ALOT physical preps: train like your doing the friggin olympics. I'm not saying it's absolutely necessary, but I felt I was in really good shape and it was still arduous mental: its different for everyone. some handle stress better than others. be prepared for adrenaline dumps and the aftermath that is associated with them. there will probably be times when you feel it would be easier to quit. Don't do it, fight through whatever doubts your brain conjures up. Mind over matter. Remember it's training. It's fun. You'll see things in a different light when you are done. It's entirely worth it. You will never look at the inside of a house the same again. Others will chime in |
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I'm taking the Tactical Urban Sustainment Course at DARC in March. I'm very new at this type of thing. Can you guys help me out with advice for a newb in the DARC world? What can I expect weather wise? What did you pack that you didn't need? What did you pack that was VERY necessary? What were the physical trials you experienced? Mental? I don't really know where to start asking questions/advice. I guess I'm looking for what you learned, and any advice you have for a chick going through the same course. Weather wise, well March is a "volatile" part of the year. I would say plan for everything. March
* average maximum temperature 62.7 * average minimum temperature 43.2 * average precipitation 4.66 inches * average snowfall .5 inches * west/southwesterly winds March gradually signals the beginnings of spring; however, it is common to see one last snowfall. During the latter part of the month, leaves and flower buds begin opening to welcome the warmer temperatures. changing weather in Arkansas means thunderstorms and possible 'naders as fronts move in and out. I would for sure bring some good rain gear. When I did TUSC last July, the weather was, well, downright miserable. Hot and humid. If I was planning for it in March, my clothing system would be different. There was much sweating and shedding/changing of clothes. A hammock might be a good idea, not sure what the ninja plans for in the way of sleeping arrangements. A good sleeping back would be in order at the very least, possibly one of those inflatable groundmats, which insulates you from the ground. If it's unseasonably cold, these can help a great deal in preventing the ground from sucking the heat out of your body. Yep, March is a notorious storm month here. We've just finished the clean up from a major Spring storm 2 years ago. I'll skip the unnecessary things, which may be different from person to person. In regards to what I feel was necessary: bug spray a good water filter (pump ones are ok, but you have to pump them, the hanging gravity systems allow you to do other things while you get your water and are silent) a good pack, use one with a good support system (like this one) good boots, waterproof but breathable, with good ankle supports. knee pads On this, I went with LAPG operator pants (hate the name) with 5.11 knee pads. No worrying about them falling or having to keep up with them. safety glasses, And sunglasses. You can generally get some z87 approved safety glasses for about ten bucks. Get a day pair, and a night pair. Personal protective equipment for the sim rounds snacks (having hot meals was amazingly good for moral, but sometimes you don't have the time) twinkies and cupcakes are favorites twinkies are no more. 
water flavoring good set of ninja gloves (I used leather palm padded mechanix gloves) you will get shot in the hands ALOT...ALOT I used the mechanix also, but the ones with the armored knuckles. physical preps: train like your doing the friggin olympics. I'm not saying it's absolutely necessary, but I felt I was in really good shape and it was still arduous On this, a big thing that wears at you, is the long times on concrete. GOOD footwear is key. mental: its different for everyone. some handle stress better than others. be prepared for adrenaline dumps and the aftermath that is associated with them. there will probably be times when you feel it would be easier to quit. Don't do it, fight through whatever doubts your brain conjures up. Mind over matter. Remember it's training. It's fun. You'll see things in a different light when you are done. It's entirely worth it. You will never look at the inside of a house the same again. Understatement of the century. Others will chime in Added some stuff in red. I slept on one of the couches in the shoothouse. It was chilly and I wasn't fully prepared. I had an inadequate ground pad to handle both the hardness, and cold of sleeping on concrete. Pretty much the only sleep I got on the first night was a 1 hour nap in the class room, and that was accidental. On cooking, I used a mountain house mountain oven pack, and my meals were heated and usually consumed before people with stoves were even close to being done with prep. Mountain house was the way to go for warm meals. Especially the noddles and chicken. 
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supplex hit it on the head with his weather info. We won't know for sure what its gonna be like till the week before. And even then there's gonna be a 50/50 chance they're wrong and a +/-20 temp swing possibility. Nights will probably be cold. For sure bring a temperature appropriate sleeping bag AND ground pad. If you happen to bring a hammock, multiple blankets/poncho liners/whatever.
Almost everything I packed got used, so I'm not much help there. For sanitation I brought TP, a small pack of wipes, a small pack of bleach wipes (for cooking utensils) and a small pack of shower wipes (over sized butt wipes with awesome no-rinse soap in them). I have since gotten rid of the bleach wipes and I'm looking for a smaller pack of butt wipes. YMMV. A good pack, good clothes and good shoes will really save your bacon. Dont skimp on any of these. I had a pumpy type water filter, a Katadyn Hiker Pro. BS has a Katadyn...something in her bag. a bigger pumpy type. I personally like them better as you dont have to find a place to hang it compared to the gravity filters. I also used the iodine tabs and katadyn tabs for my canteens. I brought and used 4 boxes worth of electrolyte replinisher mixes. If I do it again in the summer im bringing 6 boxes worth. For the other seasons, just a few packs a day would have been fine. Make sure you get a good holster and practice your draws WITH gloves on and from concealment with gloves on. I didn't do this near enough and it showed. There is lots more with the gear but its very user specific. I/we would be happy to answer specific questions though. Training wise: Do lots of cardio, lots of walking and running WITH your pack and gear on if you can at all, and anything you can do to build stamina. You'll be on your feet basically anytime you're not sleeping or eating. When the shooting starts you'll have your rifle up a LOT. Make sure you've got the upper body strength to handle it. I'm pretty sure you won't have any troubles with any of it. If you have any bad joints, make sure you do lots of stretching and some workouts to help strengthen those areas as much as you can. Or bring 4 instant ice packs like I did.
Mindset wise, you are already on the right path by seeking out some of the best training you can get. "This could suck more" is the attitude I went in with (and then it did) and it worked out well for me. |
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Added some stuff in red. I slept on one of the couches in the shoothouse. It was chilly and I wasn't fully prepared. I had an inadequate ground pad to handle both the hardness, and cold of sleeping on concrete. Pretty much the only sleep I got on the first night was a 1 hour nap in the class room, and that was accidental. On cooking, I used a mountain house mountain oven pack, and my meals were heated and usually consumed before people with stoves were even close to being done with prep. Mountain house was the way to go for warm meals. Especially the noddles and chicken. I have not personally tried them yet, but it seems the MH mountain oven is worth its weight in gold. Chicken stew and mexican chicken are also good. I ate 90% of the 2 person sized pouches for dinner every night. But all I had through the day was cliff bars, jerky and a pouch of chicken meat with some mayo and relish squirted in it |
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Which isn't much. Quoted:
Added some stuff in red. I slept on one of the couches in the shoothouse. It was chilly and I wasn't fully prepared. I had an inadequate ground pad to handle both the hardness, and cold of sleeping on concrete. Pretty much the only sleep I got on the first night was a 1 hour nap in the class room, and that was accidental. On cooking, I used a mountain house mountain oven pack, and my meals were heated and usually consumed before people with stoves were even close to being done with prep. Mountain house was the way to go for warm meals. Especially the noddles and chicken. I have not personally tried them yet, but it seems the MH mountain oven is worth its weight in gold. Seriously thought, it is kind of bulky, but it's very light. It's one of the few things I didn't want to change for the next time.
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly. 
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it.  look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked. I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly. It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter |
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly.
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter oh snap! |
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly.
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter I find this option appealing.
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Sounds like a good plan for dinner
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly.
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter I find this option appealing. |
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Quoted: Sounds like a good plan for dinner Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked. I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly. It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter I find this option appealing. |
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Sounds like a good plan for dinner
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly.
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter I find this option appealing.
I'm reminded of this: 
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Here is a link to some AAR s if you have not already read them.
AAR |
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly.
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter 
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BS why don't you tell us how u really feel! LOL
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The obvious mental trial was being on a team with m4geek, spikes08, 101shooter and supplex all weeked.
I will type something up later. I'm sure the others will be along shortly.
It's ok, deep down he loves us Don't I know it. look at the bright side, if someone ever fucks with the farm, all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys head up. OR the dark side, if you ever get out of line aka (the kitchen), all he has to do is make a call, and several pretty well trained guys in need of sammiches will head up to maintain the perimeter http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n196/BeautifulStranger_13/f604aa35.jpg |
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Your unit seems to be malfunctioning and in need of reprograming. LOA |
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Somewhere, Rich is thinking one of two things: "I'm so proud" or "what the fuck have I created?" I can think of several other things in regards to this thread. I blame cowboy. personally, I blame GI joe and that retarded kool aid man ETA: Iarchived TUSC original thread |
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Somewhere, Rich is thinking one of two things: "I'm so proud" or "what the fuck have I created?" I can think of several other things in regards to this thread. I blame cowboy. personally, I blame GI joe and that retarded kool aid man ETA: Iarchived TUSC original thread The spice must flow! |
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I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP? 
No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two
I like the fact I have no soul personally |
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I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP?
No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two
I like the fact I have no soul personally It leaves more room for rage.
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I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP?
No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two
ahh, I admittedly am bat shit crazy. |
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I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP?
No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two
ahh, I admittedly am bat shit crazy. my kind of girl.... |
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I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP?
No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two
ahh, I admittedly am bat shit crazy. my experience has been that all womenz are crazy the degree to which and how it manifests are variable though |
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I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP?
No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two
ahh, I admittedly am bat shit crazy. my experience has been that all womenz are crazy the degree to which and how it manifests are variable though 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I am the only one that has noticed the uber sexually provocative avatar present by the OP? No, but I'm used to her. I'm just a dorky little red head in person. I see why you are friends with these two ahh, I admittedly am bat shit crazy. my experience has been that all womenz are crazy the degree to which and how it manifests are variable though Thread takes a dark turn..................  |
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Your unit seems to be malfunctioning and in need of reprograming. Says the guy who posted... |
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Quoted: Quoted: Your unit seems to be malfunctioning and in need of reprograming. Says the guy who posted... I haz no unit to program |