How MTI Would Design 3 Training Sessions for 130 Soldiers With Limited Equipment In an Austere Environment

By Rob Shaul

I received the following email question this week ….

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QUESTION:
I am a senior NCO in Canadian Armed Forces. I am a medic by trade.
I have been using different programs that I have purchased or that friends have purchased from your website since 2013.
It has been great! It has helped me get into the special forces and it has helped me maintain a high level of fitness which has been an important factor of leading by example as I have climbed through the ranks. I would like to personally thank you!
Here’s my situation. I have recently been posted to field ambulance. Aprox 130 pers strong. I have been asked today to organize 3x 1 hour tactical pt sessions for the whole unit while on exercise in 10 days time. This means using only kit medical personnel would have on hand, ie: stretchers, jerry cans, weapons, vehicles, pers kit such as Full battle order. Terrain is outdoors in austere conditions.
I have never conducted pt for such a large group. I am used to 15-40 pers and usually in a gymnasium facility. Being new to the unit I will have all eyes on me from pte-Lieutant Colonel. I would Like to do this right.
Do you have any suggestions that could help me with this task.
Anything would be appreciated.

ANSWER:

Overall goal should be to keep stuff as simple as possible. Here are the guidelines I’d recommend:

(1) Use the same structure for each Training Session:

Warm Up, then …
(1) Strength
(2) Work Capacity
(3) Core/Chassis Integrity
(4) Cool Down Stretching

(2) Limit your equipment to an empty rifle, and body armor. This way you won’t have to gather litters, jerry cans, etc. every day and figure out how to divvy up the equipment. Everyathlete will have his/her own body armor and rifle. I’ve have them train in t-shirt, boots, and cammie pants. This will allow you to program strength circuits, have your athletes wear their body armor and hold their rifle, and perform bodyweight movements. The extra load of the armor and rifle will add intensity.

(3) Break each session into set blocks of time, and gave the entire group train through the training session together … this will keep things simple and allow you to monitor everything more efficiently. As well, everyone will move from one part of the training session to the next, together.

(4) Finally, I’d recommend using the same warm up and cool down each day …. as again, this will make things more simple.

Below are the three training sessions to consider. Good luck!

– Rob Shaul

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DAY 1

Warm up:

10 Minute Grind …

 

“Grind” = Work Steadily, not frantically through the circuit for 10 minutes. Complete the Instep Stretch each round.

Training:

(1) 20 Minute “Grind” wearing Body Armor and Holding Rifle

“Grind” = Work Steadily, not frantically through the circuit for 20 minutes. Complete the Hip Flexor Stretch each round.

(2) 20 Minute AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible) – No Body Armor

(3) 6 Rounds

(4) 2 Rounds

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DAY 2

Warm up:

10 Minute Grind …
“Grind” = Work Steadily, not frantically through the circuit for 10 minutes. Complete the Instep Stretch each round.

Training:

(1) 20 Minute “Grind” wearing Body Armor and Holding Rifle

“Grind” = Work Steadily, not frantically through the circuit for 20 minutes. Complete the Hip Flexor Stretch each round.

(2) 4 Rounds, every 3 Minutes wearing Body Armor and Carrying Rifle

(3) 6 Rounds – Take off Body Armor

(4) 2 Rounds
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DAY 3

Warm up:
10 Minute Grind …
“Grind” = Work Steadily, not frantically through the circuit for 10 minutes. Complete the Instep Stretch each round.

Training:

(1) 20 Minute Grind wearing body armor and holding rifle

“Grind” = Work Steadily, not frantically through the circuit for 20 minutes. Complete the Hip Flexor Stretch each round.

(2) MTI Tactical Athlete Work Capacity Assessment …. Record Final Reps

  • 3 Minute 25m Prone to Sprint wearing Body Armor
  • 1 Minute Rest
  • 3 Minute 25m Prone to Sprint wearing Body Armor
  • 1 Minute Rest
  • 3 Minute 25m Prone to Sprint wearing Body Armor

*** This assessment is no joke. For athletes struggling, have them pull their body armor during the first rest period.

(3) 10-Minute Grind

(4) 2 Rounds

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