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Selected this last class (09-12) as well. Agree with everything mud slinger said above. A few of my own thoughts/words of advice:
1. I trained with a combination of alpine climbing and Crossfit/Crossfit Endurance. Worked for me. Personally I see little return on investment from miles and miles of "rucking." I'd recommend putting some of that time and energy into strength/strength endurance development so you can keep going without rest days for 17 days.
2. Similarly, focus more on full body movements that utilize the entire posterior chain and legs. You will do pushups twice: the PT test and log and rifle PT. Otherwise you're walking with a ruck, farmer's carrying heavy things, or putting it on your back.
3. People seem concerned with how much running to do in training. We ran less than 20 miles (not counting all the jogging around camp as you must run everywhere you go) and walked over 150 miles with rucks on. If you can max the PT test and run 7:00/mile for an unknown distance you are more than fine.
4. STAY OFF THE ROADS AT LAND NAV. Whereas you used to just get docked points or something for a roadkill, they are no longer so gentle. For our class they dropped anyone who got roadkilled unless they had an outstanding excuse.
5. Selection is four days. You've heard it said and its true. Gate week and land nav are just your entry fee for team week. As they told us, they don't even look back at those performances unless you are on the edge after team week. Work hard, lead when appropriate and be a great follower/team player. Also write clear, descriptive peer evals as those show the cadre you can articulate feedback and be part of a solution in a team environment.
6. For Officers: Bust it, hard. We had 21 Os finish and 13 Selected. Almost all those non-selects were outstanding guys and would have easily been Selected near the top of the list if enlisted. Not only that, but every non-selected O in our class (save one) got an NTR. The most common reason from those non-selected officers was that they weren't [good] leaders during team week.
7. Don't focus on stupid stuff. The cadre don't care if you blouse your boots, put your hands in your pockets, or show up to a formation in PT shorts and a brown shirt. You can be as "AR 670-1" fantastic as you want, but they want someone who is highly capable and professional, not someone whose uniform looks cleanly pressed.
8. Have fun with it. Its a good time, a lot of the events can be fun if you're physically prepared, and you have a lot of down time to get to know and learn from some of the Army's finest soldiers. Enjoy it.
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