r/Wildfire • u/Primary-Historian-64 • 1d ago
Question Training advice
Im in the Marines right now, and I have two years left in my contract, but I want to start training now. I just don't really know what to focus on. Some people say focus on bodyweight others say on lifting and some people day run while others say hike.
Edit-For people wondering what my MOS is, im a 0331 or machine gunner
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u/Fun-Gear-7297 23h ago
It’s not that serious, plenty of crayon eaters make it in this job. Unless you’re rappelling or jumping , you’ll be fine.
If you are planning on hotshotting jumping or rappelling you’ll want to focus on hiking, or rucking as it’s one and the same just add a variety of terrain to your ruck marches and weight from 30 to 50 lbs.
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u/MeatComplex7285 21h ago
Bro you are good, as long as you don't turn into a fatbody once you get out , you will probably out perform many. The hikes are with 45-50lb not doing 20k or 30k with 90lbs.
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u/MeatComplex7285 21h ago
Additionally, refrain from injuries. However, keep having fun lugging that 50 reciever or mk19 lmao. Create a routine of stretching and dynamic warm ups. I wished I had done that when I was in.
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u/aerial_ignition 19h ago
Ignore the “you’ll be fine advice.” You can always be in better shape and why not try to show up day one in amazing condition? This is a cardio job mostly. Read about cardio zones and train mostly in zone 2. That should be running or hiking with weight. It will make you way more efficient overall. Keep up on the weights and calisthenics. Focus on strength, not mass
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u/PaleWalker808 ENGB/EMT/IC4(T) 1d ago
2 years is a long time to spread the load out. I’m sure I’m not alone on this but there is a cycle of fitness with this job. You start building in the off season. Lighting weight, functional fitness, and of course hiking and running. Try and not stack too much on so you don’t get injured. Also we try to peak as the season gets busy because you won’t have time to pt anymore and will have to fall back on the base you’ve built. Not only to maintain function while on assignments but also for injury prevention. This job is pretty vast and each day can be different just like in the Marines depending on your job. I surely don’t ruck as much as I used to when I was in simply because of the wear and tear. Hopefully this helps a bit from someone who’s done the same path as you’re planning
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u/HotPossession4920 1d ago
Shoot man just depends on what your trying to do in the field, how hard you want to go, and how fit you want to feel when your working. After most people first season they typically find what areas they wish they would've trained more. For many its cardio and hiking. When you go from 23 days at 2k ft elevation to a 16 day roll at 9-12k ft and just jumping right into it, no time for acclimation, your really going to have wanted those extra weeks of running and hiking and not as much lifting.
If your shooting for hotshotting look up the blm fitness challenge. 1.5 mile, pushups, pullups, plank. And try to hit 290-300+ on the fitness challenge.
Get comfy with hiking 45- 95lbs, fast. Hike till you almost puke kind of thing. Get some mobility or stretching work in. Lots of bodyweight and movements that work the tiny muscles. Your body will adjust during the first 1-1.5 months of work, just main thing is injury prevention and having excellent cardio. I throw in a 2-3 hr swim once a week on recovery day to loosen things up.
When your cutting line or dropping trees in ash pits, hauling shit back and forth and sucking in smoke you want every advantage possible to keep producing and not feel like shit.
Idk what your mos is but same shit. Train for what areas of your job would be the most miserable if you slacked off, or most detrimental. If your a larger dude who can crank out the pullups, pushups, plank, etc but your alot of extra muscle for running and hiking. Then those will be something youll want to really work on.
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u/noswimming1978 20h ago
For weight training, focus on the legs (dealifts, squats, lunges, more free weights) and back (lat pulldowns, pullups not chinups, dumbell rows), especially the lower back. I was always a great runner but not awesome at hiking, and I made it 8 years as a shot. That being said, hiking with a weighted backpack over varied terrain is more beneficial as the cardio you'll gain from running. Regarding running, work up to long distance runs. It can be on level ground, but I'd get yourself to 8+ miles runs, at least a couple times a week. Cardio + leg strength + back mobility and strength should be your focus.
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u/Organic_Rough7379 18h ago
Wildland firefighters are all over the map. At the extremes there are the line-backer, diesel types who may struggle on runs but can hike and carry loads all day to the wiry dudes who are out winning the local 5k but wobble under the weight of their line gear. Overall, Wildland requires a decent amount of strength and a lot of endurance. Most of my 10 seasons were spent on hotshot and rappel crews, and I did fairly well despite sucking at both strength and endurance in my early years. In my later off seasons I would combine CrossFit 3-4 times a week and one marathon, and that worked well for me. Though if I did it again, I’d probably trade some running for more rucking. If you have two years, I’d say focus primarily on building a monster endurance base with running and rucking as well as whatever you like for intensity and strength training. Only thing I would really avoid is hypertrophy, no good carrying the extra weight
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u/abq-nighthawk 15h ago
Be able to pass an arduous pack test which if you push it is tough.
Focus on cardio
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u/ParkingLotGridding 1d ago
Point blank - nobody is great at all aspects of this job. I know sawyers who are slow hikers but can run a saw tank for tank all day long for two weeks. I also know speedy little ridge runners who can get to a lat,long faster than anyone but they struggle to move large rounds when swamping. Point is - capitalize on your strengths and emphasize building upon your weaknesses. In my experience the best firefighters are all rounders who can do everything ~okay~ in this work you’re required to be a multitool, so to train you should get comfortable hiking with weight, do some running, do some lifting, and build well-rounded athletic ability.