The next level

It is apparent to me that people everywhere, especially leaders are all under the same pressure- get to the next level.  Whether it's growth, efficiency, strength or speed, the status quo is the enemy.  Managers want staff that understand that, and can contribute to achieving the right results at the right time.  Senior managers want managers that understand what results their teams should be achieving, and can drive their teams to meet those goals.  CEO's want senior management to deliver results, while operating with minimal direction.  It doesn't matter what type of organization you work for, what team you are a part of, or if you are operating as an independent entrepreneur, we are all expected to get to the next level.  Individuals that fail to understand this dynamic are at risk of being outpaced in their organizations or teams.  Those that recognize the need to get to the next level, and can consistently achieve it will benefit in their quest for continued advancement.

How do you do it?  For starters, you need understand that to get to a new level requires advancing from the current level.  We will call the current level normal.  Normal isn't the goal.  If you have come to believe that it is, then let's pause here and do a quick mental reset.  Normal isn't the goal or the expectation for very much in life.  Somewhere beyond normal is the goal. 

How do you get there? 

In order to get beyond normal you must understand three things. The first thing you have to figure out and accept with honesty is to know where you are.  Knowing where you are will tell you what normal is.  If you are struggling with that knowledge you cannot progress.  Whether you work for a large corporation, you are an entrepreneur, an athlete, soldier or you are just trying to progress on personal level in your sport or hobby, you have to be absolutely sure you understand where you are.  I'll use an example from the Military.  The Army's SF Selection course (SFAS) is famous for land navigation tests, called the "STAR Course".  Each STAR course can cover 15-25 Kilometers, and you are required to pass them multiple times. You are tested in the daytime, night time, good weather, bad weather and all while carrying a heavy ruck.  When you are navigating really long distances at night and with a 60-70 lb. ruck it can be very easy to lose track of where you are, on a detailed level.  The darkness, hunger, fatigue and weight of the ruck on your back are all factors that can easily disorient you.  You'll keep track of the big pieces of information normally and probably remember that you are in the US, in the State of North Carolina and near Ft. Bragg.  But those facts are not sufficient when you are aiming for a single, very small point in the distance, and in the dark. You have to know where you are down to a specific, very precise position on the map if you expect to find your destination (usually a grumpy retired Green Beret in a tent).  When you are desperate to pass a STAR course and you become disoriented, you have to stop, maybe take your ruck off for a minute, and do a map check.  You HAVE to figure out where you are. There is no other way you can move forward if you don't.  Each of us has our own unique factors in our lives that constantly disorient us in our pursuit of advancement. We have our own darkness, fatigue, hunger and heavy rucks to carry.  How you do your own map check at your job, with your business or your own performance goals will differ based on your unique circumstances, but you must figure out where you are.  You need to spend enough time on this step to make sure you really understand it. You have to remove the emotion, attitude, pride and ego from the equation, and get down to the bare bones facts of your situation. Find your own way to disconnect and gain perspective.  On a STAR course, at night that means pulling out your map, small red light, and crawling under a poncho to ensure that no light escapes while you try to figure out where you are.  How you perform your personal map check will be unique, but it will probably require a serious pause in your current routine, getting some sleep and finding a place you can stare at your own map for as long as you need to in order to orient yourself. 

"Somewhere beyond normal is the goal"

The second thing you have to understand is what goal you are pursuing.  Where are you trying to get to?  What are you expected to achieve (what does your boss, or team expect of you)?  What do you want your business to do?  If figuring out where you are can be compared to a map check, then figuring out where you need to go is like your own personal mission brief.  Only don't expect to be spoon fed the instructions or handed your mission brief by your boss or those in charge.  Sometimes that happens but often especially in corporations, in business or in our personal goals, we don't have the benefit of having a clear plan handed to us.  Even in cases where we are expected to perform in such a way as to achieve goals that are clearly part of someone else's plan, you cannot expect to have the instructions handed to you.  This is just the way it is, especially in the modern era.  Accept it and move on.  You have to realize that you must create your own personal or team mission brief to guide you.  You've done your map check and figured out where you are, now devote the time necessary to learn where you need to go.  If you work in a large organization, you have plenty of resources available to help.  Personal dialogue with those above, behind and to the left and right of you, online information from your company's website, business journals, industry news and company events are all things you can access to improve your knowledge of your organization's goals. Start volunteering for more and be present in more places, especially if it puts you in position to improve your situational awareness about your organization's goals.  If you are an entrepreneur or on an individual quest, use your mentors or trusted friends to help you understand where you need to go. Remember, you've got the heavy ruck on, and it's digging into your shoulders while you are rushing to your destination.  Pause and ask those in your life who have already passed the STAR course to help you understand where to go.  It is important to have at least one, very clear and very specific objective in the near future that you are aiming for.  Next level performance requires immediate or short term performance improvement.  This isn't the time for your 5 year plan.  Daily, weekly and monthly are the time frames you need to operate in, to move into the next level. 

The third, and perhaps most critical thing you have to figure out, in order to get to the next level, is what action is necessary to move from where you are to where you need to go?  Achieving next level performance often requires a combination of boldness, strength, endurance and skill.  Let's go back to the STAR course example.  When you've drifted off course, and figured it out, your not "out of the woods" yet.  There's a few things you've got to do if you want to fix your errors and pass the course.  The first is you've got to put your ruck back on and start moving (boldness).  If you've made a big error, then you've probably got to move faster than you were previously because you are now behind schedule (strength/endurance).  You've then got to move in a direction that gets you back to your original course while keeping track of your time, distance and how fast you are traveling and maintain the focus necessary to negotiate new obstacles and avoid making another mistake (skill).  On a STAR course it's easy to know what you need to do. The skills required to be successful are walking long distances, with a heavy pack, while reading a map and compass and following an azimuth that is leading you towards your objective.  It's often much more complicated than that in other parts of our lives.  Most of the time only you, once you've figured out the first two steps in getting to the next level, will understand what action is required in your individual life to get there.  Do you need to invest more time at work?  Do you need to invest more in your education (whether formally or informally)?  Do you need to learn new technology?  Do you need to hire more or build a different team?  Do you need to have more adventure or create more balance so you can stay in sync with how you want to live?  Do you need to simplify your life, and focus on the one or two things that are most important?  Do you need a new teammate like David Rutherford to motivate you, or a training plan from Mountain Athlete to focus you?  Do you need to climb a mountain?  Once you figure out the first two things, you can, in fact only you can, build your own mission plan for getting to the next level. 

Beyond normal limits requires aggressive action and specific skill applied towards bold objectives. 

Now get after it!

About the author- Brad

A dynamic leader known for operational focus and delivering results.  Highly adaptable and equally comfortable leading epic outdoor adventures, corporate teams or operating in critical environments.  An expert at Beyond Normal Limits performance.  Brad founded AOG in 2009 to offer high impact adventure and tactical training to motivated teams and organizations.  As a veteran, he lives the warrior ethos as a way of life and embodies an unconventional mindset and adaptability in all pursuits. An accomplished adventurer, tactical instructor, corporate leader and international traveler, he has trained and prepared hundreds of students to work in high threat environments, operated extensively around the world and created custom leadership events for elite  teams.

About AOG-

Adventure Operations Group (AOG) is veteran owned and dedicated to the pursuits of "Beyond Normal Limits" adventure.  AOG leads epic missions, high impact training programs and creates inspiring content to share our way of life with people everywhere who want to reach a new level.  Our brand is Beyond Normal Limits. Whether we are riding into a new adventure, training in the mountains, in the water or on the range, AOG's missions are unique and emphasize focus, being bold, pushing hard and a beyond normal limits mindset. Thanks for joining us on this journey.  Follow AOG for future missions.

www.adventureoperationsgroup.com

AOG Teton Mission- Part 2

Who:  Brad, Sean, Mark, Brenton and Coach Rob

What: Adventure Operations Group- Teton Operator Course (Summer)

Where: Jackson, WY; Teton National Park and "off grid" spots

When:  August 7-12, 2013

Why:  Fast and light mountain ops and a big final mission

This course will advance the performance and push the limits of motivated individuals and teams.  You are trained by AOG and Exum Guides in leadership, mountain survival, tactical shooting and alpine climbing.  The training is preparation for a big final mission, an epic test of mountaineering skill and endurance requiring total focus and team commitment. 

Background 

Jackson, WY and the surrounding Teton's are the perfect environment for extreme outdoor challenges, advanced multi-sport adventure travel, tactical and survival awareness and human performance training.     

 

The Mission 

In August 2013 Adventure Operations Group and Brenton Reagan (Exum Mountain Guides) teamed up for 4 days in Jackson, WY.  The Teton Operator course is an exclusive offering from AOG and is designed as a multi-day mountain adventure course with a big final team mission.  The goal was to push the limits of fast and light alpine movement, mountain survival, leadership, tactical shooting, downhill mountain biking and climbing.  We tap into the elite training environment of the Tetons and the warrior mindset to master individual challenges, learn advanced team skills and go "Beyond Normal Limits."

Now scheduling for summer 2014 courses.  Contact brad@adventureoperationsgroup.com for more info.

Day 3

 

 

Day 3

 

After a great breakfast in Teton Village, the team departs for our first evolution.  Today we would be joining Coach Rob Shaul, owner of Mountain Athlete for a special event.  We linked up with Rob at an undisclosed mountain training site for a custom session of his elite "range fitness" training.  A large and growing number of Rob's clients are drawn to the military and tactical focused products of Mountain Athlete, known as Military Athlete.  Rob has created a custom curriculum designed to replicate the body's physiological reactions to the stresses of combat.  Through a series of tailored and timed events, Rob slowly and progressively builds students heart rates, reduces fine motor skills and then leads them through advanced pistol and rifle drills for time.  The effects of even minor physical exertion are dramatic and immediately visible as missed shots, missed times and overall inconsistent performance is typically experienced by all.  The need for maximum functional fitness is constantly reinforced to all who sign up for Military Athlete courses. 

 



Shot timer, burpees and shooting

Focus



No mistakes when your up against Coach

Shot timer pressure

Fun competition, great training, "Beyond Normal Limits"

 

Fitness for action



The range fitness evolution was great fun, but more importantly great training.  After a few hours on the range with Coach Rob, it was clear that we all needed more work on our tactical fitness.  You can never stop training and improving.  The basics should always be your focus, but demonstrating fine motor skills under stress is an important facet of training that was reinforced by our Military Athlete session.   

 

Today the training was over after our range fitness session and we drove back to Teton Village laughing about who was top shot, who cheated on burpees and who broke rule #1 on the range.

 

Our afternoon was spent planning, prepping gear, shopping for food, relaxing and most importantly, thinking about what was in store for us the next day.



The final op



Jackson, WY (Info)
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort 6311 Ft Elevation.  Base Camp for the 2013 AOG Teton Mission.  Located 12 miles NW of Jackson, WY.  In the winter the resort boasts some of the most advanced in bounds and back country skiing in the world.  In the summer, the resort serves as a perfect launching point for multi-sport adventures including: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, alpine mountaineering, paragliding, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, wilderness and backcountry travel and family adventures.

Grand Teton National Park Home to the spectacular and awe inspiring Teton Range.  The Grand Teton, the highest peak in the range, rises to 13,770 feet.  The Tetons are home to some of the most challenging and technical alpine climbing in North America and attract thousands of climbers and back country adventurers each year.

Exum Mountain Guides  North America's oldest and most prestigious school of mountaineering.  Exum has been guiding clients on the Grand Teton for over 80 years.  Exum's elite guides offer unmatched instruction, inspire initiative and responsibility and lead their clients through one of a kind mountaineering and climbing adventures as active participants.

Adventure Operations Group A veteran owned company dedicated to the pursuits of modern adventurers and the human performance lifestyle. AOG offers guided adventures, team missions, coaching, leadership training and instructional programs.  Through preparation, elite training and "SOF Focus", AOG leads individuals through trans formative missions designed to push the outer limits of personal performance, mindset, teamwork, gear and adventure travel.  AOG shares epic experiences along with our clients as we continue to go BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS.  Get more out of your self, your team and your next adventure with AOG.

Contact brad@adventureoperationsgroup.com for information about scheduling a 2014 AOG Teton Mission.

www.adventureoperationsgroup.com
www.adventureoperationsgroup.blogspot.com

 

AOG Teton Mission- Part 1



Who:  Brad, Sean, Mark, Brenton and Coach Rob

What: Adventure Operations Group- Teton Operator Course (Summer)

Where: Jackson, WY; Teton National Park and "off grid" spots

When:  August 7-12, 2013

Why:  Intense mountain ops course with a big final mission

This course will advance the performance and push the limits of motivated individuals. You'll be trained by AOG and Exum Guides in leadership, mountain survival, tactical shooting and alpine climbing.  The training is preparation for a big final mission, an epic test of mountaineering skill and endurance requiring total focus and team commitment. 

Background 

Jackson, WY and the surrounding Teton's are the perfect environment for extreme outdoor challenges, advanced multi-sport adventure travel, tactical and survival training.

 

The Mission 

In August 2013 Adventure Operations Group and Brenton Reagan (Exum Mountain Guides) teamed up for 4 days in Jackson, WY.  The Teton Operator course is an exclusive offering from AOG and is designed as a multi-day mountain adventure course with a big final team mission.  The goal was to push the limits of fast and light alpine movement, mountain survival, leadership, tactical shooting, downhill mountain biking and climbing.  We tap into the elite training environment of the Tetons and the warrior mindset to master individual challenges, learn advanced team skills and go "Beyond Normal Limits."

 

 

Now scheduling for summer 2014 courses.  Contact brad@adventureoperationsgroup.com for more info.

 



Day 1 & 2

Day 1: 0745- The AOG team meets Brenton Reagan, Senior Guide with Exum at the Gondola in Teton village.  After a short Gondola ride, we're off on the first mission, a Cody Peak run.

Cody Peak Run
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (fast hiking, running, scrambling)
Gear: Small Pack, lightweight shell, 1 liter water, running shoes, sunglasses

Cody Peak (10,800)

 

 

 

This was a short, fun conditioning session designed to get the team accustomed to moving fast and light at a higher altitude

"The Cody Peak run is a great conditioning event for those not accustomed to moving at altitude.  The pace is challenging, but the goal is for all to finish, have fun, try out their gear and to practice some basic alpine movement skills." Brad

Fast and light is the rule

From Day 1, the pace of the course is challenging and follows the standards normally reserved for Special Operations and Military mountaineering clients.

The finer points of maintaining balance and control while down climbing steep terrain

Downhill Mountain Bike

Time: 3 hours

Difficulty:  Moderate to Advanced

Gear: Approach shoes, shorts, t-shirt or base layer shirt, eye protection, small pack (light snack, hydration bladder) Your mountain bike, helmet and body armor will be provided.

 

 



Kitted up and ready to go big, and fast

"The feeling you get when putting on helmets and armor, adjusting your equipment to fit perfectly and preparing yourself mentally for the "red zone" is familiar to all warriors, regardless of the type of battle one may be preparing for." Brad

 Warrior mindset not included, but highly encouraged

 

 

 

 

For 3 hours we blasted steep trails, high speed turns and landed big jumps.  Downhill Mountain Bikes are meant to be ridden all out.  We completed 10 runs on the course before heading back to refuel, change clothes and prep for the next mission.

 

 

"Pushing your limits in new environments is a great way to reset your adaptability and improve leadership skills.  AOG's missions call for a higher levels of skill and performance and always go Beyond Normal Limits" Brad

 

 

 

Warrior Fitness session at Mountain Athlete

Time: 60 Minutes

Difficulty: Strenuous, advanced functional fitness workout

Gear: PT shorts, Shirt (that you don't care about), running shoes, 1 liter water

 

 

Mountain Athlete, and owner Rob Shaul are dedicated to training the most elite athletes in the world.  Some of Jackson's best free skiers, climbers, professional guides and endurance competitors train with Mountain Athlete.  Their programs are so popular with extreme athletes that naturally the Special Operations and other military units are drawn to the elite human performance programming. 

 

 



 

 

After arriving at the gym, we were met by Coach Jordan, one of the full time Mountain Athlete trainers.  He led us through a quick orientation to the gym layout, and briefed us on the custom WOD he had prepared for us.  Pain soon followed.  There were few pictures taken of the suffering.  Any hope that Coach Jordan was planning to take it easy on us quickly diminished.  After the morning Cody Peak run, downhill mountain bike session, and a 60 minute WOD, we were ready for some serious grub and sleep back at Teton Village.

 

 

 Mark recovering

 

 

As our team worked through 60 minutes of the most elite fitness programming available anywhere, it was clear to the team that we still have a lot to learn about training.  I can't wait for the next chance to work out there!

 

The gym, and the athletes that train there inspire elite performance.  Want to learn more about our workout or become a mountain athlete client?  Check out their website at: www.mountainathlete.com or join us for the next AOG Teton Mission to find out!

 

Day 1 missions complete: Cody Peak run, Downhill mountain bike course and Mountain Athlete session. 

 

Day 2

 

Day 2: Mountain Ops- Rock climbing and Team Alpine Movement

Time: 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate- hiking, bouldering, technical climbing (up to 5.7)

Gear: Lightweight hiking pants, synthetic t-shirt, approach shoes, day pack (lunch, 1 liter water, sunscreen, sunglasses, lightweight base layer top/bottom, rain shell

 * All rock climbing equipment provided

 

 



 

 

 

 

Learn route finding and mountain navigation

 

 

The pace for day two continued to move rapidly. Our team progressed quickly through bouldering, balance on rock, basic climbing holds and movements, rope management, belaying, route finding and alpine team movement.  One of our team, Mark, was a first time rock climber.

 

Mark gets a class on rope management and belaying

 

Fist time climbers will advance quickly and safely through the basics in the perfect classroom

 

 

 

"The terrain in the hidden falls area was perfect for rapid skill progression and before we knew it we were three pitches in.  The team was doing great, but I was most impressed with Mark, who before today had never rock climbed.  He was motivated, had a great attitude and grasped the techniques quickly.  Brenton had Mark belay me up an easy section and I can already sense that Mark truly feels he is learning new critical skills and is an active participant of our mountain team." Brad

 

 



Small teams rely on every member for survival

 

 

We complete the last pitch and scramble to a large table top rock where we break for lunch.  After a few team pics, Brenton reviews everything we've covered this morning. 

 

 



 

 

 

Day two continued: Tactical Marksmanship refresher

Time:  2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate (M4 Rifle and 9mm Glock pistol instruction)

Gear:  Long Pants, shirt, hiking boots, eye protection, M4, Glock 9MM (or similar), Small Go bag (snack, 1 liter water)

 

We spent the afternoon at a nearby range.  After a quick intro and safety brief, we headed to the pistol range for some work on the basics. 

 

 





Reviewing the fundamentals 

 

 

Slow aimed fire, both eyes open 

 

Whether leading pitches, backcountry ski routes or working the M4, Brenton has focus.

 

Brad works with Mark on mastering the M4 

 

 

Another well deserved winner at one of the many great restaurants in Teton Village after a long day of climbing and shooting

 



 

 

Jackson, WY (Info)
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort 6311 Ft Elevation.  Base Camp for the 2013 AOG Teton Mission.  Located 12 miles NW of Jackson, WY.  In the winter the resort boasts some of the most advanced in bounds and back country skiing in the world.  In the summer, the resort serves as a perfect launching point for multi-sport adventures including: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, alpine mountaineering, paragliding, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, wilderness and backcountry travel and family adventures.

Grand Teton National Park Home to the spectacular and awe inspiring Teton Range.  The Grand Teton, the highest peak in the range, rises to 13,770 feet.  The Tetons are home to some of the most challenging and technical alpine climbing in North America and attract thousands of climbers and back country adventurers each year.

Exum Mountain Guides  North America's oldest and most prestigious school of mountaineering.  Exum has been guiding clients on the Grand Teton for over 80 years.  Exum's elite guides offer unmatched instruction, inspire initiative and responsibility and lead their clients through one of a kind mountaineering and climbing adventures as active participants.

Adventure Operations Group A veteran owned company dedicated to the pursuits of modern adventurers and the human performance lifestyle. AOG offers guided adventures, leadership training and instructional programs.  Through preparation, elite training and "SOF Focus", AOG leads individuals through transformative missions designed to push the limits of personal performance, mindset, teamwork, gear and adventure travel.  AOG shares epic experiences along with our clients as we continue to go BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS.  Get more out of your self and your team with AOG.

 





"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. "   Theodore Roosevelt

Long before I started AOG, I read this quote hanging on the wall in a small office, in a non-descript building on Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, GA.  It was in a simple frame and stamped with a unit crest that signified that it had been presented by those who truly understood what it meant to be in the arena. It stopped me in my tracks the first time I read it.  The context at the time was that I was in my first arena, learning the great enthusiasms, about victory and how to dare greatly.  I wasn't alone. I was surrounded by others also in the arena, like minded volunteers for the extreme.  Brothers who helped define it and share it.  They were, as we were reminded daily, "Modern Day Spartans". 

We knew that we were doing the unspoken deeds that most would never know or care about, and that quiet knowledge was the glue that bonded us.  The coolest thing was the recognition that we were all dedicated to the cause, the mission and pushing the limits.  There was no chance of finding a cold or timid soul in that company.  We were, united, of our own accord.

Years later, I find myself in another, different arena. Full of stress, chaos and disunity of thought and action.  When I look around, I sometimes barely recognize my environment or the people in it.  There are those who know neither victory nor defeat, nor ever will.  Those who work in ways that are unfamiliar, ways that are learned from years of modest enthusiasm, selfish devotions or just simply untrue causes.  Those who seek to divide, maintain the status quo and advance themselves by a willingness to endure a soul crushing existence of middle of the road word and deed.  They promulgate a negative bandwidth of communication and endeavors aimed at anything but actual success, victory or the team life.

It is in these times when I must retreat from this arena.  To seek the solace in the familiar feel of the wilderness, of a ruck, wet feet and a time hack.  To move fast, light and far.  To rage against the normal limits that exist somewhere between victory and defeat.  To feel pain, discomfort and to remember the truth that it makes me stronger.  To seek the undiscovered parts of my soul in this world as I find new ways to test myself, lead others and exceed the standard.  To find familiar bonds of brotherhood, new missions and to keep faith with the accord of warriors that are entering their first arena.

These are the times that you must focus on keeping the fire of your soul stoked. Question the status quo.  Liberate yourself from the oppression of predefined boundaries.  Go beyond normal limits.

Are you in the arena?

B-rad
ADVENTURE OPERATIONS GROUP

AOG Q&A with Travis Rolph of Mayflower Research & Consulting

At AOG our mission is to train for “beyond normal limits” mindset and performance.  Drawing inspiration and influence from the Special Operations community, as well as other elite performers and outdoor athletes, we lead individuals and teams to accomplish more than they imagine possible by applying “SOF Focus”.  The principles of SOF focus are grounded in the truths of Special Operations Warriors and in the mindset of constant preparation and improving capabilities that all elite performers possess. 

AOG recently caught up with Travis Rolph, retired 5th SFG Green Beret, owner of Mayflower Research & Consulting and modern day adventurer, to hear about his most recent mission, competing in the Grand to Grand Ultra race.  The Grand to Grand ultra is a 7 day stage race that covers approximately 169 miles over an epic course. 

 



What was your motivation for this mission?  "To see if I could do it" and “ I needed a 7 day break with no cell phones”.  

Travis also said that the preparation process itself was a huge factor in his decision to run this race.  The discipline and focus required to get ready for such a big race was something he looked forward to.  Each day he forced himself to stop working at a set time and to put in the training miles necessary to prepare his body for running long distances day after day.  

Prior to training for the Grand to Grand Ultra, one of the most epic stage races in the United States, Travis had never run a sanctioned race longer than a 10K. 

What was the most critical component of your training plan?  

“The most important physical component was focusing on back to back high mileage days”. 
Travis, like many of us follows a balanced training plan of cardio/strength/agility.  For the G2G however, he backed off of everything except long distance conditioning and cardio. 

“The most important mental component was food planning”.  
Participants in the race had to carry all of their food for the entire 7 days.  There was a 2000 calorie per day minimum established by the race rules.  Travis made his own food for the race, and ate more than 2000 calories/day.

What was the biggest challenge of the race? 

“Dryness of the weather”- Living and training in the Southeastern US, Travis was accustomed to running in high heat, but also high humidity.  The dryness of the weather in Arizona fundamentally changed the way his clothes and gear interacted with his body, causing unanticipated challenges due to blisters and chafing. 

“Choice of shoes”- As a Green Beret Travis was no stranger to moving through sand in desert environments, but his choice of shoes for this race, (semi porous running shoes) proved to be less than optimal for the deep, fine sand. The shoes collected sand worse than he anticipated causing complications from severe blisters.  On the longest leg of the course, he stopped nine times in one day to dumb sand out. 

Mayflower gear is some of the best in the business.  As someone who knows the importance of good gear for our Special Operations Forces, do you think that gear plays a role in an individual’s mindset?  In other words, do you think that individual’s perform at a higher level knowing they have the best gear? 

 “Combat is a stressor, running 30 miles a day is a stressor and in each case there are numerous sub stressors.  When you can remove stressors, you perform better.  Good kit allows you to focus on the mission”.  

 

How would you describe the mental advantage that SOF Operators have over others when dealing with everyday challenges and obstacles? 

 

“We’re all A type’s who accept challenges and jump in with both feet.  We’re all highly confident, analytical problem solvers”.  SOF types know how to work smarter not harder and think their way through problems.  Multi-Tasking with the ability to prioritize the important from the not important is critical.  “What does the outcome need to be”?  “What are the steps to get there”?  The type of training we do, and the way we do it, contributes to the SOF Analytical mindset, (or what we at AOG call SOF Focus).   Once you know the required outcome, and identify the steps to get there, you rely on your training and mindset to push through to the end.        

 

 

Congratulations to Travis for completing one of the most epic and challenging ultra foot races in the world!  Great job on your first ultra! Travis embodies the true spirit of AOG and is an inspiration to all of us to keep pushing "Beyond Normal Limits".  De Oppresso Liber.

 

Travis's next adventure may be another ultra marathon to validate some gear changes.  He's also working on a special project.  We're unable to reveal any details at this time, but look for updates from Travis and Soldier Systems in the near future and stay tuned for a possible future joint Op between Travis and AOG.

 

B-Rad

Adventure Operations Group

Saturday After Action

For me, Saturday is often a great time to conduct a personal after action review from the previous week.  Like many in the US, my weeks most often resemble combat operations, and I am routinely engaged in pushing aggressively forward on multiple fronts and responsible for managing disparate priorities from competing groups of stakeholders on large scale projects. 

It is near impossible to move forward in any organization, effectively and aggressively without sustaining setbacks and failures on a regular basis.  Most often our failures are not large single events, but rather a collection of smaller cumulative micro failures that can chip away at our motivation and effectiveness with such a low signature that it's almost hard to recognize.

Saturday mornings are usually a good time to grab a cup of coffee and reflect on the collection of victories and failures I racked up during M-F combat.  I always think back to the many AAR's and post op debriefs I've sat thru.  Most people would be surprised to sit thru an actual AAR conducted by an elite unit or team.  Even on major operations involving complex planning and coordination, most de-brief points highlighting failures usually fall into one of the following categories:

• perception
• discipline
• communication
• technical difficulty

Perception- It's hard to remember a mission that either myself or anyone I know has ever been on where the actual conditions on the ground did not differ in some way from what was expected during planning.  Great teams and individuals train hard and are expected to adapt.  If you are in a Corporate Combat Unit, keep in mind that perception is one of the most difficult things to manage or understand among people who are normally not cohesive and trained to a common standard.

Discipline-  This one is easy.  At some point on every mission, one of us could have done something better.  Sometimes we get lucky and no one saw our minor mistake, and we dodged Mr. Murphy, but this is one I see often among many civilian organizations.  High degrees of discipline do occur, but are often by chance or due to a few rock stars who hold the line.  Corporations can and should train staff to be disciplined and aligned around solid core principles and time tested processes.

Communication- Think about all of the communication engagements that you will be a part of M-F in any organization.  The total number is staggering.  When they don't go well, they take a toll on both parties.  Often times two people on a team or in a corporate setting will quietly harbor small doses of anger and resentment for hours or days after an unpleasant communication engagement with a co worker or boss.  Failures of communication are the main reason for many of the real set backs and near misses in modern combat operations and among Special Operations.  Communication skills have to be constantly trained on and refined, de-briefed to the smallest detail.  You have to communicate well, period.

Technical difficulties-  "Comms went down", is probably one of the most recycled phrases in military de-briefs.  It's just a fact of life, and probably won't change until SOCOM, or TRADOC buys APPLE or Samsung and puts them in charge.  Fortunately most of us in Corporate Combat units get thru our work days without experiencing technical difficulties that completely derail our operations.  But when they do occur, realize that you must fall back on solid, basic and simple techniques to communicate and keep your team moving forward. 

These are just a few easy points to consider for your Saturday morning de-brief.  To learn more check out:  ADVENTURE OPERATIONS GROUP

Also, to hear David Rutherford talk about how to turn failure into success, check out this weekends Froglogic Radio Show at:  Froglogic Failure to Success

Have a great Saturday!
B-Rad and the AOG team.
Out.

Bug Out Basics- Part 2

Part two in a series on Bug Out/Bail Out tactics from AOG teammate Josh:

Long gun and movement considerations

There seems to be quite a bit of discussion about “bugging out” and what kit to carry.  There are plenty of options out there but one question that continues to come up is how to stay “the grey man” and still carry a long gun.  I think we need to take a hard look at our situation, the circumstances we might find ourselves in, and what to do about that long gun.  Because we need to have some context to our situation we’ll try to paint in broad strokes, and add specifics as necessary.  To be honest, if we keep things realistic I think we’ll find most decisions won’t be too different no matter the circumstances.

By definition “bugging out” means we are moving.  We want to move from point A to point B.  What are our points???  Our home??  Work?  A vehicle?  A public forum?  A predetermined “safe” house or sight??  A hasty hide or building to occupy??  By definition we are trying to get somewhere of lesser advantage to a place of better advantage.  The exception would be moving to SOMEONE, like our family or friends in need, someone in trouble or disabled, etc.

Regardless of why we are leaving we have determined that we need to be somewhere else.  Inherently that means we have a purpose and to move accordingly.  I can’t think of a single reason to move and not have a destination and not be highly motivated to get there.  Even if you don’t have a specific location and only know the place you’re at is sucking, you still probably aren’t going to move like it’s a Sunday drive.  Speed becomes a factor.

For this discussion we’re going to talk about moving on foot.  If we have a vehicle then the point is almost moot.  Believe me, if I’m "alamo’ing" up or moving in a vehicle then the gear I chose and the time and distance I can cover are a different discussion.

So if we’re moving on foot we need to be VERY conscious of what we carry.  There are tons of discussions about what and how people will carry life saving equipment and comfort items.  We can talk about that too, but the one item that continues to arise is that pesky long gun.  Do we need it??  Should we take it??  How?  What if we don’t take it??  What are we going to do with it??

Answering some of these questions and coming up with some solutions might help us in the rest of our load out.  Determining what we carry and how we carry it also determines what we can accomplish.  Things like where we can go and how far we can travel are directly related to the solutions above. 

Simple math tells us we can go farther without a long gun.  If I forgo a long gun (in this case an M4 carbine) that means I don’t have a 7-10 pound rifle and 3-10 pounds of ammo (one mag weighs approximately 1 pound).  Can you move farther with 10-20 pounds less??  I think I can.

What do we consider in making that determination?  Now things get somewhat tricky.  Each person envisions different situations.  I think the biggest consideration is the geographic location we find ourselves in as well as the circumstances that have made us move.  Let’s run down a few somewhat generic situations and make some decisions from there.

PART 2

Back to the topic.  When do we need a long gun??  Do we need one if our vehicle broke down on a rural road and we’re trying to walk to help?  Probably not, but are we comfortable leaving it in the vehicle?  That also depends.  It depends on if you have it in something like a Truck Safe, and what the overall situation is like.  If we know it’s only about 10 miles back to somewhere we can get some help then it might be better to leave the rifle and haul ass to a known destination.  It’s about probabilities and in this situation, stateside, it’s probably best to leave the long gun.  Even with a longer distance (for you truly rural folks) I don't think it changes much.

 If the exact same situation happened in Iraq or Afghanistan, you can bet the long gun is coming with.  Talking to some coworkers last night we went over every situation we knew of where people had to un-ass a vehicle and most said that at the time they were worried about just getting out and grabbing ANYTHING was second on the priority list.  Several made mention of grabbing their bags but burning everything else (including belt feds) in place.  I’m not saying if any of these actions are right or wrong only that the situation dictates what we’re going to do.  

 Another situation might be some kind of natural disaster.  For this situation let’s assume we’re ahead of the power curve and a disaster is pending, but hasn’t occurred yet.  Some examples might be hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, etc.  Often times the routes from a city to a more rural area become clogged.  We might just need to make it from our home or business to another “better” location.  In this situation we will probably encounter many more people, both good and bad. 

Again, is the long gun necessary?  Maybe not yet, but I probably wouldn’t want to leave all my guns to be burned in a fire.  I’d like to think that even if I don’t need the rifle right now, it might be the only chance I have to keep possession of one.

 The next logical “threat” would be the same situations above, but, for whatever reason, we’re in the thick of it or post disaster.  Think hurricane Katrina or some of the looting I’ve seen in the Midwest post tornado.  In this situation we can expect more social unrest, historically meaning people become more desperate and predatory.  Do we need a long gun??  If I’m moving through an area full of people capable of horrible acts for their own self preservation I’m probably even more inclined to move as quickly as possible.  I don’t think provoking any actions from people in this type of situation is advisable.  What I mean by provoking is giving them any reason (in their eyes) to interact with you.  Moving as quickly and quietly as possible seems to, again, be the best answer.

 I’m going to stop there because any situations we come up with past this are probably not based on history and might seem a bit “far off” for some.  I think the examples we’ve chosen are somewhat realistic and if we discuss these events we probably can get some decent ideas for “end of the world, social breakdown, zombies, et al."

 So what are our choices??  Leave the long gun, hide the long gun, take the long gun but have it concealed, take the long gun and look like you’re ready for a fight?  Anything else?

 

More on those choices in Part 3, coming next week.

Until then, stay full tilt and focused!

B-Rad
ADVENTURE OPERATIONS GROUP