At the 3 mile intro hike at OCS, I actually struggled, and thought I would never become a Marine. I wasn't the only one, and I was grateful when our Company Gunnery Sergeant gave us a packing class. His guidance made a world of difference! Most of the information in this section will be advice from my OCS Co GySgt, my TBS Platoon Sergeant, and a Force Fitness Instructor at TBS.
Packing list:
Shortly before the hikes, you'll be given a detailed packing list. I wish I could share the packing list, but I was once told that it's cheating. Yikes. But in general, all the hikes have an 80lb weight (that includes rifle and the clothes you're wearing), except the 12 mile has a 90 lb weight (this hike is slower). Most of you reading this have probably passed OCS, so just try to think of all the things you packed for the field. When we hiked, we did NOT have the assault pack on top of our main packs, but when you conduct movements in the field, you will. Also, each company is different, and the word on the street is that a fair few company commanders make the hikes a part of the movement either to or from the FEXs (more on FEX later).
In general:
Zip up the bottom-most pouch of the main pack, don't use it.
Pack the lightest stuff at the bottom-extra camis, sleep system, poncho liner.
Pack heavier items-e-tool, camelback bladder, kevlar, towards the top.
You most likely will not bring the camelback carrier to the field, as you will have "hydration pouches" that you will attach either to your flak or pack. If it's not on the list, leave it.
The top pouch, on the closing flap of the main pouch, pack things like socks, map, things like that
Flip the pack UPSIDE DOWN. Shake it so things fall to the top. Then tighten the side straps so things stay secure to the top.
If you have things left over, maybe some MREs, your war belt, place them in the bottom pouch. But try to avoid this.
You will be issued sustainment pouches and hydration pouches. I attached these and put incidentals for the field. For the hikes, they were empty. My company's hikes were stand-alone events. Woohoo.
THIS TIP IS FROM ME. i HATED the little built in pouches near the bottom where people put their canteens in at OCS. Canteens fell out, it was annoying, you had to pick them up. I think I was the only one that did this, but I placed my canteen pouches as high on my main pack as I could (just like I did the canteens on the e-course) and I secured them. Never had to worry about them falling out, and the weight was higher. The 0.00000000001 pounds of extra canteen pouch weight was worth it.
I actually liked hiking with the flak better. It was less weight in the pack, and I thought the flak securing straps allowed me to distribute weight better.
When hiking with the pack, secure the waist first, then have a buddy tighten the shoulder straps. Then secure the flak strap. By the end of TBS, I had lost so much weight that my waist strap was too big. I invested in shoulder pads and duct-taped them to the hip bands. During the 12-mile hike, the pack was rubbing against my hip bones (which were sticking through my skin), that I took out socks and shoved them in the waist band half-way through. It helped.
Boots-at OCS I used Bates Heavy Duty. They were fine. At TBS, I used Danner Reckonings. I liked them, but my Platoon Sergeant said he hated them because you could "feel the rocks beneath your feet." I used them in the field all summer no problem, never brought an extra pair. He recommended that you do. I just brought extra socks (see The Field tab for more info).
Tips for hiking. I never played sports in college. I'm not a PT stud. Hiking is 90% mental. YOU CAN DO IT. There is something about pissing your twenties away and being desperate to actually have a career. A lot of women that hate their fantasize about joining the military or becoming a stripper. Well here I am, I made my choice, and I was desperate enough to make it work. Hiking sucks, but you will get through it.
I was in a summer company, and I did not have to refill my water supply at all during the hikes. (See the info on the first page for safety information). But I used my camelback hose to reward myself every quarter mile or so, and then drank strictly from my canteen during breaks. You'll need to hydrate and eat right during TBS, but please don't get in this mindset that you fell out of a hike because you drank one glass of water less than you usually do, or you had McDonald's the night before. Eat right, drink right, but it's MENTAL. Hum to yourself, repeat a mantra, it's just one foot in front of the other until you get to stop and take some pictures that you share to your family and friends. YOU WILL BE FINE.
(I'll add some more pictures later)
.