Vance Airmen complete GoRuck light

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  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Fifteen Vance Airmen braved cool temps and a brisk Oklahoma wind to complete a GoRuck Light team cohesion challenge Nov. 15 here.

During the challenge, participants completed a vigorous calisthenics regimen and overcame obstacles set in place by former special forces servicemembers.

The Airmen completed an hour of calisthenics before hoisting backpacks filled with bricks or sandbags, said 2nd Lt. Weston Thomsen, a Roseman, California, native who has been at Vance for two years. They then carried two, 100-pound bags filled with sand over various obstacles.

Thomsen is working in the 71st Operations Group as a casual lieutenant while he awaits orders for a permanent change of station to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, to be a civil engineer.

"It was like a watered down version of Selection," said Thomsen, referring to the process prospective special forces candidates attend. "We had to carry the sandbags without ever letting them touch the ground, and ruck in a straight line while holding onto the person in front of us."

The goal of a Go Ruck Light, which can take up to six hours, is team building.

Vance was one of 17 Air Force bases who are hosting a GoRuck Light team cohesion challenge. The Air Force partnered with GoRuck, a private company of former special operations troops, in 2014 to host the challenges at different bases.

"I think that people learned how they react under stress, especially when they are tired," said Thomsen. "Several people looked pretty worn out at the end.

"I also think that people learned how their individual actions carry the team," he said. "We had to sprints and body builders within a time limit, and each set had to be faster than the last. Individuals had to assess themselves, and realize that the entire time would fail if they couldn't push themselves."

While he doesn't know if the Air Force will continue to partner with GoRuck for future events, Thomsen would like to see an increase in similar events at more bases in the future.

"I'm a (Physical Training Leader)," said Thomsen, "and sometimes when I am administering a (Physical Fitness Test), I get the sense that some people don't take fitness seriously. I think that working certain jobs within the Air Force can lead to a focus on just the job, and the warrior concept is left for last. I think that hosting more events and getting a higher level of participation will support the warrior ethos."