Good afternoon,
My goal is to earn the 0321 MOS and serve in a Recon Battalion. Right now I am currently 22 years old and waiting in the DEP to go to a MCRD with an infantry contract. Since graduating college I have devoted my time to working, working out, and trying to gain knowledge that will help me to prepare for boot camp, SOI, and the Recon pipeline.
I started working out two years ago mainly weight lifting and running. This past summer I started running more, going on ruck marches, and swimming. My PR on the three mile is 20 minutes but right now have been running a consistent 21 minute three mile. I generally run 2-3 times per week. My goal is to run at least a 19:30 by the Recon indoc at SOI. I can walk 4-5 miles with a 45 lb pack at 15 min per mile. I will be completing 10 and 12 mile rucks before leaving for boot camp. I can currently swim a 10 minute 500 meter side stroke slick (I prefer it over the breast stroke but can still swim breast). Unfortunately the pool I swim at requires a bathing suit so I cannot swim in cammies. I have no issues with crossovers, and the deepest depth is 12 feet so bottom samples are not an issue, I just stay at the bottom longer as the depth at BRPC I heard has been increased to 16.5 feet. I can do 2k fins in the pool in 36 min but will be increasing to 2500-3000 as I am in a land locked state and cannot swim in surf. In addition to still lifting (focus is on strength) I do calisthenics and the Recon short card. I will also be attempting the long card. I love doing pull-ups and always do 23 when running a PFT. I can max out on crunches as long as I do a set every day in addition to occasional ab workouts (planks, hanging leg lifts etc.).
Currently working on knots and going through the Ranger Handbook as I will have relatively zero experience compared to lat movers. I have tried to read as many posts as possible on here pertaining to Recon, as well as documents released by the RTC, and Marine and Recon social media sites. I got a 132 GT on the ASVAB, and meet all other requirements for the Recon indoc. I believe I have gained good studying habits while at school which I hope will help me with the vast amount of knowledge and information that is taught at BRPC and BRC.
Right now my two biggest weaknesses are drown proofing and faster ruck times per mile. *** I do not at any time tie my hands or feet together when swimming***. However, I am very positively buoyant (6'1", 165 lbs, low body fat) which helps with floating and travel portions. I have been trying Stew Smith's tips for drown proofing but in regards to bobbing, somersaults, and mask retrieval I still have to release a lot of air to sink to the bottom and end up needing more oxygen to complete these tasks. Right now I will just keep working on it until I get it down. As for rucking I walk and sometimes shuffle (was told not to run during training) but I cannot seem to get under 15 minutes consistently even if I use less weight.
Thank you for letting me join, reading my post, and your dedication to your job/path as well as helping us.
I'm not Recon so I can't speak to much as too that, but there is a huge difference between slick and in cammies for the 500m. I always did CSS when I was training for testings and such, slick. First time I ever did 500m in cammies was during a test. Three strokes in I switched to breaststroke cause I wasn't going anywhere. Everyone has their own preference, but I would recommend training breaststroke just enough to be comfortable and proficient with it. Sounds like you're crushing most of the land stuff and I'll leave the rucking advice to the pros. I was a big guy as well doing drown proofing type events, mask and snorkel retrieval and stuff, it sucks. Super buoyant but it helps a lot for treading so there s that. Best of luck to you.