SGPT: Tell us about yourself?
JC: I am on my 58th year of life, married, several adult children, and two grandsons. I served in the U.S. Marines from 1974 to 1979 as a scout/observer with artillery and infantry units. I served until 1983 in the Marine Reserves in an Infantry Company.
I presently reside in Southeast Texas, with my wife. I have been in working in law enforcement for close to 35 years. I retired after twenty years with a local P.D. and went to work as a civilian trainer with the Air Marshal Program after 9/11. I missed playing an active role in law enforcement, and returned to being a street cop.
I had an opportunity to serve as a law enforcement consultant with the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq from Ft. Meade, M.D., in 2007 and 2008. Due to family medical problems, I returned to the U.S. and went to work as a Detective with a Sheriff’s Department and serve as a Team Ldr., with the County SWAT TEAM.
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SGPT: Did you have an athletic background growing up?
JC: I played soccer and wrestled during Jr. High and High School. Since the Marines, I have pursued a disciplined physical training routine. I am currently 5’6” 172 lbs. I have had numerous joint surgeries on my knees, shoulder, and elbows, and definitely struggle with Arthritis. Most of the injuries were probably induced or caused by poor weight lifting and exercise techniques, and overuse injuries over a prolonged period of time.
SGPT: How did you train for the GORUCK event?
JC: I followed a modified hybrid routine from SEALFIT (8 weeks) and used the training schedule from Goruck for the final six weeks to prepare for the event.
SGPT: Tell us a little about the event? Where was it?
JC: I participated in the ABSOC GORUCK Challenge, Galveston, Texas, this past month.
We had three cadre from Goruck, all were professionals, and the physical challenge they put us through definitely made me question my physical and mental ability.
I leaned on my teammates for support, and although I completed the challenge, wished I had trained a little differently for the event.
SGPT: What was hardest part of the event?
JC: The amount of time spent in the water, with a weighted ruck. It was one thing that I took for granted and didn’t train up for. Then crab walking backwards upstairs (three flights) with a weighted ruck, near the end of the event
SGPT: What is one thing you wish you would have done to get ready for GoRuck?
JC: More PT with the ruck on my back. The movement of the ruck filled with saltwater and sand changed freedom of movement drastically.
SGPT: Any tips for up and coming athletes that want to do GORUCK?
JC: Definitely train along the lines of SealFit W.O.D’s., and specifically the six week training program prior to the event. Do your pushups, log P.T., burpees, and bear crawls with a weighted ruck to simulate the evolutions during the event.
SGPT: What kind of boots did you use for the event?
JC: I chose Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Running Shoe They had plenty of traction in the sand, and were cushioned for the road marching. They did not seem to retain water, but I really never stopped long enough to see if they were drying out. The laces don’t come undone, because of the design of the shoe.
SGPT: Did you use double socks or body glide on your feet to prevent blisters?
JC: I put a good coat of DZNuts Pro Chamois Cream on my feet prior to putting on my socks. I stopped once, long enough to get some excess wet sand out of my shoes, and wring out the socks.
Didn’t get blisters, but we spent so much time in and out of the Gulf of Mexico, nothing dried out much. The event went 13.5 hours, and the cadre made sure we were wet and sandy from the start to the finish.
SGPT: What kind of ruck did you use for training and the event?
JC: I purchased the GR1, and modified it with the waist stabilizers and chest strap. I trained along the guidelines of the GORUCK training schedule and trained with heavier weight up until week before the event.
SGPT: What book are you reading now?
JC: I am reading The Outpost by Jake Tapper.
SGPT: Many thanks for the interview
JC: You are welcome, thank you. Thank you for your training and positive mental attitude advise. I will buy you a beer if you ever come through S.E. Texas and have time to stop.
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