HOW TO PACK YOUR RUCK LIKE A FORCE RECON MARINE

In this video Blake Flannery discusses how he likes to pack his rucksack, using his 18 years of experience in reconnaissance. There’s plenty of variation and personalization in how to pack a rucksack, so don’t take this as THE way, but A preference.
If you’ve seen differences, awesome, comment something constructive. Trolls will be blocked.
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[@LordPerique]

I'm so glad you hired Blake, his IG content has been great but it's great to see something longer form from him.

[@oriontraininggroupllc2782]

We are lucky to have him

[@bdmngs5884]

If you start packing and you find your pack is really heavy; you might be in weapons.

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

"THE VA HAS FOUND YOUR INJURIES ARE NOT SERVICE CONNECTED"

[@matthewtaylor3301]

Yutttt

[@LRRPFco52]

RTO, Mortars, Recon, FO, Medic, SAW Gunner, etc. Then kick all the extra to Riflemen and everyone sucks together.

[@srgtnoob6612]

Or a hoarder 😂

[@docdolittle8057]

That 81s base plate heavy!! 🤣

[@jayneubauer3401]

as a Recon guy from the 80's (I am easy to vet), I still have my large Alice all set up from back in the day. It is nice to see that the lessons we learned are still being used to this day, just with updated gear. I swear we all had stock in Ziplpc bags, we used them for EVERYTHING!

[@boomanh63]

This is one of the first ruck packing videos I have seen that gives and in depth look into the logic of how, where and why items are loaded. Very well done!

[@LiterateDuck]

Blake is our American Viking hero.

[@patm2202]

One of the best instructors I ever came in contact with. Thank you for the long winded and ass bleeding detailed debriefs in brc. I may have been a zombie who was exhausted but you set an expectation for attention to detail that always stayed with me. Im happy to see you continue to share your wealth of knowledge especially with the outside world. Far winds and following seas, Brc class 5-12

[@Blakewater0326]

Glad I was able to get the info to stick. Arrugah 🤘🏴‍☠

[@gregorymckoy3179]

Thanks for doing this it gives me a better understanding of packing a civilian version for evacuations. I have been working on packs for my family if we had to leave our home long term whether by flooding again or other emergency. My cousin served 26th MEU at Camp Lejeune. Thanks for your service!

[@warlantactical]

Civilian evacuation to where ?

[@Whiskey.Tango.Actual]

You can tell Blake has a lot of experience fitting biiiig things into small holes.

[@Blakewater0326]

Giggity

[@complexblackness]

@@Blakewater0326 giggity

[@Cysticspyke]

Well, you know marines looove going to tip to butt 😎

[@Whiskey.Tango.Actual]

@@Cysticspyke right up to that bend in the colon baby

[@Blakewater0326]

@@Cysticspyke we know the difference between jelly and jam.😉

[@BallZakc]

I’ve been watching his IG for a few years now and I’m glad his knowledge has a larger platform now.

[@johnnya118]

Kifaru has 5 and 3 string compression sacks that compress the woobie like a roll vs a ball. the 3 string works great for the woobe and the 5 string for a sleep system(sleeping bag). Their pullout(s) bags are another awesome way to keep stuff seperate. Great video. Semper Fi

[@Blakewater0326]

Yes, those are good too. I chose to use a waterproof sack for the demo, especially because I did not use a ruck liner.

[@LRRPFco52]

I sewed a stuffsack I made from 200D nylon to one of my woobies. Bottom inside seam of the stuff sack sewn to the binding tape on the woobie, so you just roll it into itself. I used to use a British stuff sack for my woobies that I found at a surplus store outside of Fort Lewis. I also made my own ruck form shaper out of a puss pad, with a void for the Radio pouch. It was great for packing the main compartment, then stuffing broken-down MREs between it and the Ruck nylon. Kept everything compartmentalized and tight with C of G close to the body, vs gypsie ruck.

[@brandandaniels6007]

Blakewater is the most deadliest teddy bear. It would be awesome if he went over in a video layering considerations for different weather scenarios that would be super beneficial!!

[@robertsherwood6378]

In a civilian situation and being 70 years old I have had to go ultra lite ( exception being firearm and amunition ) in a shit hit the fan situation I will have to move fast and avoid confrontation. I was a Sea Bee during Vietnam era. We did survival training in Gulfport. I realized then how age restrictive combat really is. You have to be in top health carrying what’s needed. Age has forced me to take a whole new perspective. I would need a pack that size just to carry my Advil, ha!. Love following your content. Thank you.

[@lessharratt8719]

Me to. Just a civvy but been watching. I have a similar pack. ILBE 75 litres. 67 years young and good to go. Watching grunt proof sere training makes me realize how I need to run and hide.

[@infinitegaming6130]

It's great to see people putting out extra often overlooked knowledge like this. Basics are important. Some more patrol/recon related stuff would be a bit hit I imagine.

[@BAN0_]

Blake is the definition of an all around war fighter. We're extremely proud to have learned from him in person, and the wealth of free knowledge like this. Thank you guys so much

[@controversy.enjoyer]

hey bro i didn't seem to notice where he holds food? do you maybe have the time, did he mention food at all?

[@KiltPatrick]

@@controversy.enjoyer 24:00 mark. The pack has 2 pouches on the outside, thats where he said he would stuff his food.

[@controversy.enjoyer]

@@KiltPatrick thank you

[@lucasolson9132]

That was like watching Mary Poppins pack her bag, lol. Amazing. I was looking at the amount of stuff on the table at first just thinking...no way is all that going in the bag. But it did. I learned a ton. Definitely going to go re-pack my backpack and grab a couple extra small things that Blake had. Love that netting pad in the assault bag to keep rattle down. Also, the drybags are nice...I've been using regular old plastic trash bags.

[@JohnSnuffy]

Thank you. This experience is leaving the military daily. Need it retaught to us young kids

[@benjaminmooney9800]

Glad to see someone else rocking ITB

[@TheTarotCardGuy]

The redundancy of ziploc bagging clothing can't be overstated enough. A dry pair of socks and freshly brushed teeth lift moral to another level. I'm gonna consider bagging my woobie now. I usually stuff it in last to fill any gaps. Great video and explanation of things.

[@constellationgroup3163]

Thanks for the pass down. Lot's of little tips that go a long way!

[@preprebelactual]

Awesome refresher video, Brother…Semper Fi

[@LeadFarmer_84]

Perfect timing. My OG large alice ruck just came in.

[@brianmurphy6760]

I just found this channel, and subbed! I am already impressed, and have watched this video three times. I am looking forward to seeing what else this channel is all about. Also, thanks to Blake Flannery for taking the time to show us how he packs his loadout. I have a couple of Mystery Ranch packs, so I personally got a lot out of it. Great video, and looking forward to learning more.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Excellent demonstration & explanation. Thank you.

[@KT_survival]

Thanks for great tips. I'm a prepared minded individual, I'm also doing stealth overnights. Marine Recon rocks!

[@KellenChase]

Great video. Really appreciated

[@reggiechabassol628]

Pro tip on the waterproof roll top bag, Snugpak makes the same thing with an air valve to make it as small as possible. Personally, I think you'd be crazy to buy one without it. *Understood, possible they didn't offer it at the time of his purchase.

[@Blakewater0326]

Did you watch the whole video? I displayed multiple types of dry bags, one of which had a one way valve and one which had a membrane as well as the typical roll top. This video was a demonstration of techniques for packing out items, not a video on EXACTLY what you should pack.

[@dmutant2635]

I used to line my backpack with a fifty gallon contractors bag if I was going to swim across water. With heavy items in the bottom of the pack it tended to float with the top out of the water. Everything was dry inside!

[@arthurross9437]

OUTSTANDING, thank you Sir. Good information.

[@cantstartafire]

Very cool, thanks! I would add a pre-made ridge line. It makes life easier.

[@seancord4571]

Great video. Thank you.

[@johndoe-cr3eu]

My approach is an Alice Pack in the back seat covered with a blanket and rides there at all times.along with some boots and an M65 coat. The Alice pack has a lot of attachments and everything inside so you could go into the woods and live there for the duration. But it makes travel slow especially if you must get out fast.For that situation you have a smaller emergency bag packed inside. In this you have mostly fast food(nuts, jerky, Spam, energy bars, knife, fire starting equipment and life straw/ferro rod and canteen full of water. Just enough to get you down the road. Perhaps a few bandages but minimal. You assume that the big Alice pack remains with you.

[@trumpwon20204]

Under armor makes a roll top backpack. Waterproof. Good for buggering out

[@sgt.grinch3299]

First time on your site. I subbed right away. Semper Fi Devil Dog.

[@jedi7489]

Learned a ton. Thanks guys.

[@brookford1206]

Great content Blake & OTG 🤙

[@ketononeill8898]

Thank you guys, another great video. Can't wait to get my sustainment load going for my ruck! More Recce vids, plz OTG 🙏

[@Blakewater0326]

what's recce? Just because you're in the woods or carrying a pack doesn't mean it's "recce", which is slang for reconnaissance, which is a tactical task. There will be more content related to small unit patrolling and small unit tactics; conducting reconnaissance and surveillance is far more in depth than what we'll be doing here.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@Blakewater0326 I chuckle when people talk about "recce" without knowing what's entailed. "Recce rifles", "recce 3-day packs", etc. Me: "Where's your comms gear/Radio, antennae, hide site kit, Claymore bag, water, Yetti net, optics, spare radio batteries, logbook, tripod, poncho, Cold/Wet weather gear, socks, modified break-down shovel, WP bags, etc.? Them: Chinesium Survival knife, some random Chidura pack and pouches, Wal-Mart boo-boo first aid kit, space blanket, giant Camelbak, road flares, cheetos, power bars, Snickers, favorite teddy bear. Then they go on about their rattle-canned peasant-grade weaponry Recce rifle. Me: Lemme introduce you to a technique called the low crawl.

[@user-ot7cc3qz5l]

Top shelf viking genetics

[@PolynesianSaus]

Great video! Just got a 3 day assault pack from LBT for Black Friday, so I’ll see how much of this I can stuff in there.

[@Opsgermanysoldier]

As a recce guy in german army doing many things very similar is nice to see. It does mean i am doing my job good. (At least packing my ruck right and for disnounted recce things thats half the Job XD)

[@yevhenmanaienkov8360]

Awesome video!

[@joejoeseesingtons]

I follow this guy on IG !!! Now he's on KZbin and he's part of OTG?!?! LFGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Blakewater0326]

I've been with OTG for over a year. I've been handling classes on the east coast.

[@Gunge-vq2ik]

this grunt is a pro, thanks for the great rundown.

[@Attemptedvelocity]

Great vid!

[@jfalken86]

Homie in the back making sure you don't run away.

[@LindaIG6KArt]

Thank u so much for posting this vid . I learned alot >(^.^)

[@TheBottegaChannel]

So, funny story. About a half a year ago when my family wanted to get me a toolbox to port around all my frequently used tools, I told them just to get me a heavy duty backpack I could use as a mobile tool chest. They looked at me weirdly when I packed stuff in this type of strategic manner out of instinct. Guess my instincts were correct in such a regard.

[@MarilynMonroeFamily]

awesome!

[@clintwelch9843]

Great video, excellent content. Please do a deeper dive into the toiletries bag.

[@KamilSkalny]

It’s scary to watch how much stuff and preparation Americans must do before a trip to Walmart.

[@MrSilver261]

Great video thanks very much for sharing very useful for backpackers hikers and trackers as well

[@wawkabout]

Just curious about light and IFAK

[@mikedendooven6484]

First video I’ve watched here. Great content! Who’s the the stealth guy in the background?

[@basedinstinct]

Look at all those views. The Force Recon name still commands respect.

[@thewowzach32]

Packing your ruck is the hardest part about being a recon marine.

[@raymondjurado9203]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@TheRiskyDingo]

Awesome video Blake. I'm curious about your woobie, puff, and vapor barrier layers. Can I get an ID on those? I've been missing something like that in my ruck.

[@TTPTraining]

It's like getting modern military tactics from Bjorn Ironside

[@DR-mk2in]

Can we get a plate carrier video from Mr Flannery and maybe a video on helmet with nods?

[@Blakewater0326]

Check my channel for a video on carrier selection. Lots of content on those subjects on my instagram, more will be coming to KZbin.

[@50shadesofcerakote]

He may have those on his personal IG page

[@MiGallagher]

great video sir.

[@FOBBITS_]

One time we did 10 days of force on force in 29 during early Jan. I decided not to bring my iso mat since it was a lot of clearing and less bivouac. Definitely a mistake I made. Having only a pancho liner and sleeping on concrete floor in the winter was brutal lmao

[@greenlightforce]

Comprehensive jungle clothing video. Rainforest, rain, humid, hot, environments. Fabric material, quantity, best food and drink to bring. Please :)

[@Blakewater0326]

Bring water, that should be obvious. Food is also what you want to bring, keeping in mind that with the heat you wouldn’t want to bring chocolate or anything that can melt. Shelf stable should be obvious. For clothing, it’s not difficult. Cotton clothing can work but because it doesn’t dry well you can still end up with rashes. Quick drying synthetics work very well. Common sense goes a long way, don’t doubt your intuition.

[@Starseedindigenouslightwork]

Didn't see any knife multi-colored canteen compass possiy a map coms device maybe a small fishing kit fire kit water other than those two well one jug ammo

[@AdamAldy-p3w]

Where can i get that reversible jacket?

[@jackblack7827]

Looks like a fairly lightweight load, like summer time camping. No sleeping bag, no sleeping pad, no first aid kit, no navigation, and no food apparently.

[@Blakewater0326]

Don't always need a bag or a pad. I would often not pack out either of those things on missions. Ground pads I will take out in wet and cold environments, unless I know the environment can provide such as weaving tall grasses into ground pads or pine boughs. Sleeping bags are also not necessary often, especially with the jackets and insulating layers, poncho, tarp, and poncho liner to create shelter and enough warmth to sleep when on rest rotation. IFAK goes on the fighting load, so there's no need for one in the ruck, though I carry Band-Aids and pain meds in my hygiene kit. Nav kit is carried on my person with my map kit in my cargo pocket, compass in sleeve pocket, and GPS either on my wrist or in my fanny pack. I didn't pack food for the video, though I did mention that the outside pockets are left empty because that is where my food will go. Your mention of bags and pads as though they are essential items sounds like camping is your experience base, whereas mine is sitting in hide sites and observation posts, remaining in the field for days and weeks at time.

[@pissman69]

glad to see someone using the kifaru woobie

[@bethsloan5462]

Weight?

[@richardkennedy815]

Interested in the "tarp" you shoved in the bottom. I didn't quite catch the name, so I was unable to look it up.

[@frankcastenza6361]

Hey bro, awesome stuff. Quick question. What is that hygiene kit pouch? Looks like an older tyr model, but i’ve been having a hard time finding something in that size to replace my older issued toiletry bag. Also, what are you using for “vapor barrier layer?” Is that just an issued gore-tex? Thanks brochacho.

[@Blakewater0326]

I'm not sure who makes the pouch, I found it laying around and no one claimed it. So it's been my hygiene kit for about 11 years now. The "vapor barrier layer" is my hard shell layer. The jacket shown is made by The North Face, I don't believe it's a Gore-Tex membrane, but something of the same vein.

[@thisismyname8627]

You made mention of a MALICE pack. I would love to see if it's the same variant as the one I own.

[@Blakewater0326]

It's the MALICE II, the one I have.

[@pandemix19]

Great video and very helpful. Question though - if you're planning on being out for 48-72 hours, what kind of food are you bringing and where would you stow it? Thanks!

[@Blakewater0326]

Food would go into the outside pouches, along the front of the pack. I prefer shelf stable items that don't need to be cooked, such as nuts, seeds, jerky, an dried fruit. Depending on the weather, I will also bring protein bars and/ or meal replacement shakes keeping in mind I don't want anything that will melt or freeze.

[@lincolnpascual]

If it doesn't fit, I don't need it! LOL

[@rmviv4rmviv443]

Control your thoughts and hold them strong in the lord Jesus christ meaning think thoughts of love, peace,faith,hope,joy,prayer,. Remember this Start right now or until you really need it in the near future.they are spiritual weapons to keep you.

[@martinnichols45]

Is this a 60 or a 70 liters rucksack ?

[@kotahurt]

Top sheet, bottom right

[@jimmyzulu85]

What's that puffy jacket? Is that a Columbia one?

[@Blakewater0326]

Yes, from Columbia. I would rather it had a hood for field use, but that's not a deal breaker by any means.

[@papermind4010]

Ayo I recognize this dude

[@LeoCroteau]

Why did you remove the chest compression strap on the shoulder strap?

[@Blakewater0326]

My experience base is working in austere and hostile environments where I may need to drop the pack quickly. Because of this I find the chest strap and hip pad to merely be in the way and only use those features for conditioning hikes.

[@Spooky130]

Get some warrior!!!!!

[@jwatterson69]

Is the Kifaru poncho liner the Woobie or the Doobie (double the insulation of the woobie)? You referred to it in the video as the 'Super Woobie', is it a special custom piece?

[@forestnfren8146]

i figured someone here might know.. Is the frame used with the USMC FILBE compatible with say a molle 2 large ruck bag? What about the ILBE bag? Are any of the shoulder/hips interchangeable? If so what is most preferable combo for a 6' fella?

[@camronbay1]

What are some opinions on the USMC ILBE pack.

[@Blakewater0326]

It's not the best, but it works well enough. Might try fitting it to an ALICE frame rather than the plastic one. Really, the biggest failings of military issue packs the last 20+ years has been the plastic frames.

[@RogueSanta]

I've snapped 2 of those plastic frames (near perfect horizontally) while I was in

[@annoneemoose]

Do you put your rifle sling under or over the ruck?

[@Blakewater0326]

Under

[@JoelMMcKinney]

Civi here. Thx.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

I didnt know i was marine minded. 🤷‍♂️

[@rustyshackleford9017]

bruh never packing a ruck again. get a sick feeling even packing my hunting pack 😂

[@anotheryoutuber_]

sackception!

[@thelzmovement6480]

Just get the mr daypack lid and ditch that extra backpack

[@depthcharge126]

Blake, could you explain the comment on why you would want heavier pack items towards the top of the ruck? When we were backpacking in scouts, it was advised to keep the heavier items (naturally your tent and sleep items that are last anyways) low and near the back. The reason being two-fold: low keeps the pack from swaying (tight is light), and is positioned closer toward your load bearing hips. Thoughts?

[@oriontraininggroupllc2782]

Good question! Blake should weigh in when he sees this tmrw

[@Blakewater0326]

The conventional knowledge from my time in the Marine Corps was always pack heavy items close to the body, and higher towards the shoulders. Because of how the pack system works in totality, if the weight is biased towards the bottom then the hips do the majority of the work rather than the load being distributed. From my experience, the heavy items are things such as large field radios, observation equipment, crew served ammo, and the like. Sleep systems and sheltering material are actually lighter items in my realm. However, that's not to say the wisdom you were taught is wrong. In fact it's all very applicable. Lighten the ruck load where possible, keep it tight, and pack it so the load cannot sway. I wouldn't pack heavy items above shoulder height, as then you will definitely find the ruck sways and throws off your balance. Items to be used only in static positions should be packed sooner and buried under those items that will be used while making movement to that position. Hope that answers the question!

[@Nofixedabode859]

All the heavy weight on the hips when tabbing hard is not good keep it higher and close to back then you will tab much faster with less pressure on hips

[@LRRPFco52]

A long-known approach based on the physics of basic center of gravity is to pack heavy items high and close to your back, above your core. Heavy items low and away create sway, which depletes your energy every time you stride. This was known and taught in the 1950s LRP units in Germany, 1960s LRRPs/Force Recon/SF, 1980s-1990s ILRRPS NATO School in Germany, and every Recon unit I was in. If someone is teaching different, they need re-training before they spread bad TTPs.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@Blakewater0326 Roger that. Time-proven TTPs.

[@LeeziFIN]

Interesting video, thanks for sharing it. I was left wondering, so you don't usually equip yourself with a sleeping pad or a way to boil water? Or do you carry boiling/eating kit in your 1or 2 line? What kind of temperature can you still manage with those and what do you think is really cold? 😂

[@Blakewater0326]

No, I often do not pack sleeping pads because they are rarely necessary. If I'm going to be in snow covered environments, that's enough of a mix of wet and cold that a pad will normally become needed. I will only pack a stove for boiling water in that same snow covered environment, otherwise using filters and purification tablets to make water drinkable. The whole "line 1, line 2" I don't use, because everyone has a different idea of it and it's a muddled concept. If I carry a stove it goes in the ruck, otherwise referred to as the sustainment load.

[@LeeziFIN]

@@Blakewater0326 Thanks for the info sir! I know that nobody gives actually a fak that what I think. But I would have the water boiling method also with me long before its actually freezing weather, because you or your battle buddy could get hypothermia before that. So having hot water bottle near your core/chest near descending aorta improves chances of survival. And I know there is also other ways like heating rocks with fire or using your body heat for the buddy and so on but the bottle way is convenient.

[@Blakewater0326]

@@LeeziFIN having the warm water inside your jacket is definitely a technique. If the weather is above freezing, I have not found it necessary to avoid hypothermia. Simply layer appropriately. The use of the warm water bottles is more of a "luxury" when in that snow covered environment after freshly boiling water. It can be timed so that as you go on rest plan you have additional source of warmth, which is good for sleeping in such a cold environment. You are quite correct that hypothermia can occur before the air temperature reaches freezing. However, there are other methods to stave off such an injury that will be more practical in that they work through a myriad of environments. They also do not require making fire or packing stoves, which both cuts weight and makes patrolling disciplines easier to mind. Now if your use was recreational, then the weight, bulk, light, smell, and sound of camp cookware is not much of a concern beyond weight and bulk. So if recreation is the goal, then by all means have at it.

[@seizethedaymt7637]

I served during the time of Alice packs and LBE. It wasn’t perfect but things fit together. How the hell do you wear plate carriers, a chest rig , a battle belt and a giant ass Ruck?

[@Blakewater0326]

You kind of don't. It's normally chest rig or plate carrier. Plates don't play well with rucks, so it's not fun but doable. Much easier with a chest rig. Rucks also don't work too well with gun belts, but they can if built smartly.

[@andresvalentinesantos8746]

Whered you get the cobra hood?

[@Blakewater0326]

Tactical Concealment, many moons ago.

[@Starseedindigenouslightwork]

Let's see inside the pack so can get a more of an idea of what's going inside that pack

[@joseligeiro]

Greetings. At min 3.32, what "hoobie woodie" is that? I have never seen that before. Thank you.

[@josh-km6sh]

I've also wondering that can't find it anywhere

[@mikerobinson6606]

Good kit. How much did that Load out weigh minus food and water?

[@Blakewater0326]

Never weighed it, though it was very light. Though that's a relative statement, as while I was active duty my mission rucks consistently came in at 75-100 pounds depending on the mission. If I had to take a guess, I'd say about 25-30 pounds with the water. Food would add another 5 pounds or so.

[@mikerobinson6606]

@@Blakewater0326 cool Thanks.

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

Step 1: be a Recon Marine.

[@chiefexxor5069]

If you are on patrol do you wear body armour under that big ruck?

[@Blakewater0326]

If the mission calls for it, yes. This pack was designed with body armor in mind. Though generally, rucks and armor are uncomfortable and that's just how it is.

[@Joey-ne1zi]

Are all these items available on the OTG store?

[@Blakewater0326]

If you consider the internet the OTG store, then yes.

[@andrewpeterson549]

No re-supply of ammo…. Must have some preloaded mags or battle packs … that’s where Pounds equals Pain for real 😩

[@Blakewater0326]

That's why I prefer the Arbor Arms Tradesman pack, as I can carry mags or smokes in the top pockets. If it was a recon & surveillance patrol I would have two mags, a smoke, and an incendiary with all my mags being on my fighting load. If going into the assault, I would have 4-6 mags in the assault load for a full refit of the fighting load. The goal here wasn't to get into the weeds of mission specific packing, rather just some tips on general packing to help folks out.

[@TimothyCaldwell-mt5zc]

From the title I expected crayons and porn.

[@carlcolvin8320]

I will stay with my large ALICE ruck.

[@Starseedindigenouslightwork]

What about food water ammo