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Semi-irrelevant comment, but I think it is required for the wider topic on battle/luxury/comfort zones/etc. I don't like to 'tell people what to do', especially on massive scale. I am of the opinion though that ALL (able) MEN must go basic military training (and why not.. women too).

I have ran one of them 'obstacle courses + distance + mud + pain + cold' some years back. I was by far NOT the stronger man there, and I saw some guys that were STRONG (hulk-smash dudes) and they couldn't crawl in the mud to save their lives, or they were skipping leg day, or.. or.. or.. I could see men that were 'normal/average' with military training and plowed through (perseverance to the max) while gym-boys an gym-girls were (rightfully afraid) of injuries as their bodies were 'too clean'.

So, in my 'checklist' of 'basic military training' (fully able/healthy people should/would/could..)

  Know how to crawl and/or spider-walk in the mud/forest/river/etc. for 5km
  Know how to climb up & down on a rope. 
  Know how to use a gun (and never have to). 
  Know how to carry a wounded/incapacitated person. 
  Know how to administer (the very) first aid. 
  Know how to (try and) stop bleeding. 
  Know how to read a map. 
  Know/practice rucking with 50kg for a 20km brisk walk (maintain speed 7-8 km/h) on uneven terrain, and no water (speak to your doctor first)
  Fast for 3-4 days (just to see what it feels like)(speak to your doctor first)
  Thirst for 1-2 days (just to see what it feels like)(speak to your doctor first)

And then... many of the 'free spirit' people might get a new perspective in life. many of the city-dwellers might start seeing the benefits on being in/near nature

▲ mamonster 2 days ago | parent [-]

> Know/practice rucking with 50kg for a 20km brisk walk (maintain speed 7-8 km/h) on uneven terrain, and no water (speak to your doctor first)

Ermm..... This is so far beyond basic militarytraining. Did you mean 5kg? And no water? There are special forces units that wouldn't be able to do this.

Full kit loadout is like 20 kilos, maybe 25-30 if you are the LMG/Nlaw carrier in your unit.

>Fast for 3-4 days (just to see what it feels like)(speak to your doctor first)

>Thirst for 1-2 days (just to see what it feels like)(speak to your doctor first)

No water for 2 days is MUCH worse than no food for 4.

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HenryBemis 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

> Water Yes. I can easily fast for 4-5 days once a month with no problem. Water, I've only done it a 3-4 times in my life, just to see how I react on it. I 'imagine' (not really) the scenarion of being in some country that is frequently earthquake-struck and being without access to water because of damaged infrastructure, etc. Again, the purpose is to know one's limits and _not_ to harm oneself.

How many people live in such zones where strong earthquake are frequent, and they have the real/possible risk of being trapped under some rubble for 1-2-3 days without access to food or water? Knowing your limits and not panicking helps.

>50kg What if you got a kid and you new to carry it for some distance? What if you have to kill an animal and bring it back to chop it and eat it? Again, the purpose is to do it a couple of times in your life to know what you can and cannot do. Not ruin your spine aimlessly.

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xorcist 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

2 days without water sounds completely idiotic. It could seriously affect your health.

The idea that everyone should do some basic military training is a good one, but the above seems focused on some over the top macho stuff.

Some basic first aid training however should probably even be taught in schools, and then repeated at least every decade.

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HenryBemis 2 days ago | parent [-]

I never wrote "do it every week for the fun of it". This is more like 'do it once in your life so you know what thirst feels like'. Knowing one's limits, _without_ putting your life at risk is good in life. I foresaw silly/scary/scared responses thus the 'speak to your doc'.

	▲	xorcist 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		The comment of yours is likely in good spirit, but it mixes reasonable things with completely outlandish ones. From experience, averaging 8 km/h for 2.5 h with 50 kg on the back is just not possible for most people, and likely not for you or me either. Doing it in uneven terrain sounds completely unrealistic no matter how fit you are. Just suggest something realistic instead, like 20 kg and 5 km/h in easy terrain for healthy people, and and least it would be something possible to discuss. Going 4 days without food is something you can absolutely try if you like, if you are healthy or otherwise secure. But going 2 days compeltely without water is stupid. Don't do it on purpose, ever, no matter how fit you think you are.