GORUCK Special Forces Experience

What do you do when you have designed a great backpack, but no one knows how great it is? Exactly, you come up with an event where you can showcase the advantages of the backpack! This must have been what Jason McCarthy, former member of the United States Army Special Forces (also known as "Green Berets"), thought when he had the idea for the GORUCK Events.

The GORUCK Events are designed to bring the training and philosophy of special forces to civilians today. The events are all led by so-called Cadre, active and former members of special forces units of the US military, such as the Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Marine Recon, etc., providing a unique insight into the world of special operations. Together with his team, participants tackle tasks that come from the world of SF and SOF. This could involve carrying heavy "equipment" over long distances while adhering to a certain time frame, making contact with indigenous forces and convincing them to provide escort through "hostile territory," or infiltrating a "hostile building" to find an important item. The creativity of the respective Cadre is limitless. If the tasks are not completed, the whole team is punished collectively, because in the world of special operations, the entire team suffers if one individual fails.

There are four different GORUCK Events, which differ primarily in their length and the distance covered. The GORUCK Light lasts about 6 hours and covers 7-10 miles. The Light is intended as an introduction and a taste of the GORUCK Events. The GORUCK Challenge, 12 hours and 15-20 miles, was the first event and is the perfect mix of team building, fitness training, and fun. The GORUCK Heavy is the ultimate team event, lasting 24+ hours and covering 40+ miles. It provides a unique insight into the world of special units, putting participants in the role of an SF and SOF soldier and allowing them to experience firsthand how such a mission could unfold. However, the ultimate endurance event is GORUCK Selection: lasting over 48 hours, it simulates the selection process of SF and SOF units, particularly the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) of the Green Berets. Unlike the other events, GORUCK Selection is solely based on individual performance. Less than ten percent of participants make it through the full 48 hours.

Additionally, there are events with a more educational approach. GORUCK Ascent is a course in mountaineering, GORUCK Beached focuses on amphibious operations, GORUCK Navigator aims to teach proper map and compass skills, and GORUCK Trek is an introduction to the world of spies and secret agents. Emphasis is placed on effectively conveying the content, and the instructors, like with the other events, are former and current SF and SOF soldiers with years of experience in their areas.

GORUCK is slowly but surely expanding to Germany and Europe. The flagship event, which has been around for some time, is the Normandy HCL (a Heavy, followed by a Challenge, followed by a Light) in June in France. The theme is the allied invasion of Normandy. Additionally, a bunch of international events are planned for next year. GORUCK is participating in Germany three times: in Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Berlin, each with a Challenge and Light event planned. So, if you want a unique insight into the world of special units, you should secure your spot!

GORUCK on the web