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When I started training for SFRE/SFAS about a year ago, I had soft girly feet. I spent a few months just going out and training under a ruck until I'd get a couple of hot spots, and then either take the light rail or gently walk back to my apartment (I live in an urban area). Once I could handle 6-10 mile ruck events without hot spots, I maintained my feet by just going for one 8-12 mile hike in the mountains every weekend with my ruck (at a leisurely pace -- your feet will benefit from this activity regardless of your speed).
My point is that all this voodoo foot care that's designed to keep you from getting hot spots during your initial train-up is counterproductive. You won't develop the toughness you need to carry you through the endless miles under heavy loads at SFAS. During training, you should be pushing yourself to, but not beyond, your physical limit every time. That's how you expand your threshold of suck.
That said, I would suggest you take all the foot care advice you get (mine included) with a handful of salt because it's going to be very individual-specific. Get a general feel for what people are doing to train up for these events and then just keep training until you're able to meet the standards that are already out in the public domain. Developed a blister at mile 10? No need for any soul (or internet) searching; it just means you're not ready yet. Train more. Duh.
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