• GORUCK Challenge and GORUCK Light in the Emerald City

    May 12, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    Sometimes you just need to go for a walk with your friends…to get out in the open air, to take in spectacular views, to enjoy the sights and sounds of a city we all love – Seattle. Sometimes we need to jump onto the other side of the event – to see what happens from a Cadre point of view.

    Sometimes……WHATEVER!

    Sometimes we need to watch our friends SUFFER at the hands of a sadistic, military trained instrument of death A.K.A – Cadre Daniel. To watch his surgical strike on the Team was nothing short of amazing. The amount of pain he inflicted was glorious & legendary!

     

    If you have any doubt or reserve that the GORUCK Challenge or the GORUCK Light is an event for you, I’m here to tell you -NO WAY! The above pictures are nothing more than a sampling of teammates – friends, all suffering at the hands of one GORUCK CADRE. Don’t take my word for it…..go back and look at their faces….

    Faces of Agony

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    Faces of Defeat

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    Faces of Sheer Desperation

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    ………..now go click on the GORUCK link to the right of this post – and sign up:)

    Aloha,

    fkh

  • SESSION 4 – Lessons in GORUCK PT, Exercises and More

    May 5, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    Friday May 2nd, 2014
    Rally-Point: Drip City Coffee Company

    This past Friday TRVLSQD presented the last in a series of Training’s designed to help folks be better prepared for their first GORUCK Event -Whether it be a GORUCK Challenge or a GORUCK Light. This was Session 4, and it was a fun way to kickstart the weekend!

    We started at Drip City Coffee as our rally point. DCC is quickly becoming our homebase of sorts in Seattle. We left a little after 6pm, and proceeded down to Olympic Sculpture Park. This is where the Team proceeded to execute various exercises that they may encounter on their GORUCK Adventures. The Team attacked for about an hour and a half, and then we finished right back at Drip City Coffee. This gave everyone a last minute chance to ask any further questions, finish their beer or coffee, and then head on into the weekend!

     

    I know those that have attended over the last three weeks are far better prepared to help their Team and themselves to accomplish the tasks that will be presented by their Cadre. Thank you to all of you that were involved in these Sessions, and I look forward to seeing many more new faces in the Family. Before I sign off, here are a few suggestions to the new folks:

    • You are part of a TEAM – never forget that
    • Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Never tell anyone they “Can’t” do something, even though you may be helping someone from potentially hurting themselves. You are there to support them! Let them attempt whatever it is….and assist when necessary (only Cadre are allowed to tell someone they “can’t” do something, and it’s far more appropriate for Selection as they are trying to make you quit)
    • Women have been and will always be the FACTOR that keeps the team together. If you think I’m making this up, the stats of Men vs. Women quitting during a GRC far favor the women. FACT. Cadre can/will verify
    • It’s never about you. When you’re suffering, someone else is suffering more. Forget about you – go help them!
    • On that note – TEAM FIRST – FAMILY ALWAYS

    See you at the GRC/Light!

    fkh

  • TEAMWORK & TEAMPLAY – Two Worlds Coming Together

    May 4, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 – Alki Beach, Seattle

    If you are in TRVLSQD, affiliated with one of the Chapters across this great country, or know someone who is, the following is simply an experience I needed to share. I challenge all of you – get your Team together and go PLAY….please…..One day Teammates will move on….and in most instances – it really sucks…….

    It’s never easy when you have friends moving away. Life taking its’ course. Why does it take too long sometimes to get your friends & family together just to PLAY? We all need reminders of what’s it’s like to cut loose from the training, the beatdowns, the aerobic this and anaerobic that. What happened on this Saturday morning will forever be a reminder to me that we should all take the time to laugh, smile, throw a frisbee, drink some Infamil, (maybe a V8:) and jump in the ocean. Roll around in the sand, throw some sand, bury someone in the sand…….ride a sand slug! Go jump in on a Boot Camp Workout with a beer in your hand and make someone laugh…

    In the end….be thankful.

    (Pictures Courtesy of Brian Lohr – ADR)

     

    Brian Young – You’ve been a great asset to the Pacific Northwest Team. I want to thank you for always being the one to step forward and give us all a much needed “WOOKIE CALL” when all things seemed lost to the Canadian onslaught – Donna Rice! Thank you for serving our country – we will miss you AND the other coast will now have your jovial ASSETS to contend with:)

    Joe & Christina Coffman – Thank you Joe for creating the branding images of the greatest GR Training Team in existence today!  You have helped me more than I can say, and I can’t thank you enough. We missed you & Christina this day, and we will miss you and your family when you too cross the country to secure things on our East Coast. Thank you for serving our country – it is everything!

    Donna Rice – I’m not really sure where to start with you. So I’ll just say these few things: Please close your car door before walking away for any training! Please continue to bring BOX Wine to GR Events. Please remember that you are loved by many, and disliked by one (Brian Young….maybe Thaddeus…..) You’re moving down to CA, that means you can no longer say you’re Canadian….Mexican maybe…
    Take care of BD & keep up the smiles!

     

    Thank you to those that were able to come play. To those absent, I hope we played enough to make you proud:) Until we all see each other again….TEAM FIRST – FAMILY ALWAYS

    fkh

  • SESSION 4 – GORUCK PT – TEAM & WORK

    April 29, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    MAY 2, 2014, 6:00pm, DRIP CITY COFFEE

    START POINT: Drip City Coffee

    2929 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

    GEAR: GORUCK LOAD-OUT, Extra Clothes, Towel (Yes – you’ll be getting wet:)

    OTHER: We’ll be heading back to DCC afterwards for a celebratory drink and send-off!

    SESSION 4

     

    This Friday we will bring all of the last three Sessions to a culminating Event. Session 4 will give you a last chance (as part of these Sessions) to be part of a group, to test your Ruck Loadout, to test any other gear, to work through various GORUCK PT Exercises / Drills / Movements, etc. You’ll be able to ask ANY question that you have, and hopefully we’ll be able to answer.

    I want to thank each and every one of you for attending Session 1,2 and 3, and I hope that what you’ve learned will enable you to be better prepared – not only as a participant – rather that TEAMMATE that everyone else will be able to depend on when they are suffering and fighting personal demons – the ones trying to get them to quit.

    You’re all about to learn – It was never about you, it’s about your TEAM!

    See you all soon – Aloha:)

    fkh

  • Honoring Family & the Fallen – W. Stites & Pat Tillman

    April 29, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    April 26, 2014
    The Team gathered for what we call SAT7, or our Saturday morning workout. It was a gorgeous sunny morning, with a slight wind making it brisk. This was no ordinary workout, it was no ordinary morning. On Easter Sunday, a week back, one of our Team lost his father. Family is what is most important to us, and we wanted to show our support and respect executing our Tribute workout. This one was aptly named STITES053. It consisted of 5 Exercises, 3 Sets of the 5, 53 seconds of rest between exercises. It was definitely a strenuous workout, something we needed to do. Like I said – it wasn’t an ordinary morning…..

     

    It was also the morning of Pat’s Shadow Run for the Pat Tillman Foundation. (http://pattillmanfoundation.org/about-us/) Our team decided to get our Tribute workout in, then cover the 4.2 miles with a log – symbolic of our Team coming together to accomplish one thing – HONOR. It was never a race for us – we completed it our way. Although most were already gone when we crossed the finish line, the Event Organizers were still there, as was the owner of Lock N Load Java – LTC (R) Carl Churchill – a fellow GRT from Salt Lake City. Carl saw the Team working out before the run, and his curiosity brought him over (he had a hunch we were linked to GORUCK). After learning he was GRT, I asked him to lead one Round of Exercises. He enthusiastically jumped right in (although he was recovering from a leg injury – it didn’t stop him:)

    The sun was shining, spirits were high, and for you W. Stites & Pat Tillman – TEAM FIRST – FAMILY ALWAYS!

  • SESSION 3 – MSG ED HALL, An Evening on Leadership & Teamwork

    April 28, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    This past Friday, Tacoma South Sound Sports hosted Session 3 of a 4-Part Series of Training’s designed to help folks prepare for their first GRC or GR Light. Ed dived right into the Session by introducing himself through stories of his childhood. Anyone could have turned it into a “brag session” on accomplishments – Not Ed. It is much more important to Ed for folks to understand that he is just as human as the next person out there. Challenges in his upbringing – from homelessness, to family uncertainty, to going hungry, and other details he poured from his heart. It wasn’t something the group expected to first hear from such a decorated soldier. I know I wasn’t. It was a sign of what the night had in store for all of us – Ed was relating to his audience, simply another way to show how to be a leader.

     

    Ed spoke on Leadership Traits, things he expected of the Team Leaders during a Challenge or Light, and various points to help anyone to successfully be a Better Participant.
    (I have not gathered the notes from his presentation. Hopefully at a later date I’ll be able to get the overview/outline and present it in another post)

    Once Ed had presented the material he wanted to disclose, it was then that the fireworks began! I had no idea that he was going to initiate the HALL OF PAIN right then and there in the office, and so it turned into a very quick sufferfest of sweat & skinny jeans! I had to open the office windows as the temperatures quickly climbed and the suffering reached comedic levels! Let’s just say that we have a TON to learn about Special Forces and our local history.

     

    The Session did quickly require plenty of Teamwork, and more importantly – MAKE A #$%^ing DECISION! This became more important and apparent as the Mission continued. Although Ed could only smile as the attempts to cross his HANDS ONLY ZONE failed time after time, in the end he did help the Team to refocus on the task to eventually complete the Evolution. Yes Ed showed the Team in a matter of seconds what was failed to be accomplished in 25 or so minutes!

     

    It was a very informative night, and it gave me a glimpse into the future of TRVLSQD. We are here to create better participants, and by the looks of the recent training – including this epic Session with Ed Hall, I have no doubt that the caliber of Leaders will continue to climb!

  • GORUCK Challenge Training – SESSION 3 – An Evening on Leadership with MSG Ed Hall

    April 22, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    Friday – April 25th, 2014

    Time: 7:00pm

    Location: Tacoma South Sound Sports
    1119 Pacific Avenue, Suite 500
    Tacoma, WA 98402

    ED HALL

    This Friday evening, 7:00pm, Tacoma South Sound Sports will host an evening presented by TRVLSQD. This is the 3rd Session as we help folks to be better prepared for their next GORUCK Challenge & Light. Don’t miss an evening to learn about:

    • Teamwork
    • Leadership
    • Personal Growth

    Our Speaker: MSG Ed Hall

    Ed has been a part of the TRVLSQD Family since 2013. He and his family continue to support our efforts to help others to the best of our abilities. He is a Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group (A) based out of Joint Base Lewis McChord. Although he maintains a very busy schedule, he is very excited to come speak to all of us. His ability to relate to folks not associated with the military, falls right in line with the GORUCK Mission of bridging the gap between our military & civilians. Ed will give all of us insight into his life, his service to this country, and most of all – how we can lead better lives by helping others!

    You’ll get to meet and talk to a dear friend of TRVLSQD and you’ll be able to get an insight into someone who will someday be Cadre for GORUCK!

    Feel free to bring a beverage or six to share with everyone!

  • Alki Beach Sessions – Approach to the May GORUCK Challenge & Light

    April 21, 2014 Author: Fergus
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    Saturday, April 19th, 7:00am

    It was a brisk morning, and a beautiful one to get a great workout in on the beach. To all of you that showed up to be part of the Team Workout – well done! If you are new to these Sessions – Welcome! TRVLSQD will continue to host these and we know that by coming out, we’ll continue to help you to be less afraid of the suffering. You’ll learn to embrace it as a means of conquering your fears. Just don’t show up late unless you love attention, and never be afraid to jump right in!

     

    It’s always fun having one of our workouts during any kind of activity on Alki Beach. I know plenty of folks were curious as to what we were doing, especially those on hand for the Earth Day 5K. We’ll never apologize for being awesome! Thank you to Brian Lohr from All-Day Ruckoff for the awesome pics…..and a special shout-out to those who suffered far after we were done (you trainees for Selection:)

    Aloha – See all of you soon,

    fkh

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