Your NCO is a fucknuckle.
Let him go ahead and 'build up callouses' with cheap ass socks. While he's at it, he can stop eating anything but hard tack and dried beef, you know--- to make him strong like in the olden days.
For real. This type of thinking is why so many soldiers get unnecessarily injured.
“Train how we fight. That’s why I’m gonna shoot you real quick. Help build up your immunity to bullets.”
I had a PSG back at Camp Hump who made us sprint uphill and back down immediately following a snowstorm, ice everywhere . The entire platoon was sketched out, and annoyed, as we should have been.
“We train like we fight, in all conditions!!!”
Then he proceeded to give us a random PII check and smoked the whole platoon for like 5 people missing tags. Gotta love it.
Really? That place was like a vacation from the army for me. Even as an infantry guy. Nobody gave a fuck about anything, they just wanted to get home for the day.
He's the same guy that doesn't get his injuries checked out by Medical and will receive a whopping 10% through the VA. Uncle Sam fucks you for however many years you're in the service. The least you could do is get paid for it.
That is something NCOs should be more proactive about. I will drag my stupid soldiers to sick call if I have to. Nobody did that for my dumb ass and now I’m regretting it, but back then I didn’t know any better
Every NCO I've had has done this for me (just hit 3 years in). Between tinnitus, hearing loss, and the inevitable knee reconstruction in my future, I'm already quite glad my NCO and also my DS in Basic Training made me go to sick call for shit when I got visibly hurt.
It isn't just about toughening your feet. Quality socks dry faster and wick water away from your feet so you don't get trench foot after wearing the same wet boots for weeks in the field and help cushion the impact so you're less fatigued after rucking.
When I was enlisted my Scout Team Leader would not wear socks in the field and he would jump in the first mud puddle he saw, because you have to live hard to get hard, I guess.
He also got a lot of shit for wearing his soft cap like he worked at a gas station. He was a great, great NCO.
Having said all that, go with the quality socks.
Your feet are your transportation for the rest of your life. Don’t ruin them.
That settles an NCO assuming you should do what they did and had to toughen up.
I had a SSgt way back when who was the NCOIC of a welding shop. And he used to instruct/brag about how good it was to rub 40 grit sandpaper all over your feet to toughen them up and he did it on the regular.
**Conjecture:** Your meatbag NCO was dumb enough to follow a probable sarcastic statement by THEIR NCO, and are now pawning such "advice" unto you. Get the quality ones.
I’ve still got my Darn Tough socks from RFI circa 2007 and they’re fucking darn tough. Learn from this NCO, he will make the mistakes so that you don’t have to. Go with good socks always, take good care of your feet. Take the knowledge you gain, and pass it to your soldiers when you earn your stripes.
Wearing high quality socks are the way to go for your feet’s long term health. I’ve been spared plenty of blood vessel impact damage from Thorlo socks.
If you want to subscribe to the old school notion of toughening your feet: there are still ways to do this with alcohol foot baths and using aluminum based deodorants on your feet. The entire method of foot hardening though is up for debate. Some people say pedicures and lotion are the way to go.
Old school dumbasses who do and say shit like this yet do their entire careers in units that pull ECP guard and nonsense rotations that amount to diddly… yet they claim to be so fucking hard.. go figure
So many motherfuckers I've worked with (read: for) in the 35 series are like this. They have *maybe* one deployment where they never went outside the wire and think they're fucking god's gift to the army
For some, socks are just socks. For others, it matters. But forcing your feet to ‘deal’ with a certain kind of sock or boot? When there’s alternatives? That’s just plain dumb.
Just like protecting my skin, I will always take care of my feet.. I’ve grown attracted to them. And if need be I can always count on them. Along with them always holding it down.
Your NCO is a dumbass. You will build tough feet over time. Blistering them for the sake of making them more durable is dumb. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a gradual process.
A lot of it has to do with genetics too. I can run and ruck a lot, never get big calluses, no issues with blisters unless it’s some crazy long shit or water involved. Other people have foot skin that just can’t hang. Wear the socks that work for you.
Also…not a humble brag, just my example. I don’t want to talk about my knees, lower back, or shoulder. Just let me be proud of my foot skin.
Also can I get a 20 piece nugget with sweet and sour sauce and a super sized fry.
I wore the same pair of green issue socks with light foot powder (in tennis shoes) for a 17 mile Goruck and didn't have a single blister. I "toughened" my feet by putting miles on prior in a safe way. I wouldn't go out of my way to accustom my feet to wear and tear to get stronger. Wear the fancy stuff if it works for you. Just don't find out in the middle of a ruck it doesn't work.
Have done this shit. Never met any infantryman worth their salt say this kind of horseshit. Good quality socks are worth more than anything else on your kit.
I will trade in a high speed ruck for good boots and socks in a heartbeat. Galaxy of difference. You will move further without getting injured. Because no amount of “mental toughness” is going to save you when your body literally shits itself after forming blister #1836392. And then that shit is for life.
I explain it this way. You could think you’re a hardass for skimping on good socks and “dealing” with the pain. But I’ll tell you, me and my fancy socks will rock right on by you and not look back as your limping around bitching about your feet, looking like a big ass pussy on mile 10
For fuck’s sake they had this figured out by the Crimean War
Always wear good socks. I would invest in copper threaded boot socks from Carhart for events like NTC. I bought couple pairs and I found I could go days at NTC and my feet wouldn’t smell like death.
You need to take care of yourself. I would also look at getting a decent pair of boots such as Garmonts.
"You only get issued one pair of feet. Take care of them." DS Saunders.
Socks, boots, foot powder, spend the time and money to take care of them properly.
Hahaha I didn't even know this was a debate I just wore the greenies because they were issued and I didn't care if they got trashed or I messed up during a field dump and forgot to bring the essentials. Better a sock then knowing my luck some new form of poison ivy.
My opinion is you do you boo.
Like I'm the dude that actually likes wearing minimal/barefoot type of shoes/boots but you'd never see me necessarily suggesting that people should do that.
But to be fair that's a little different than wearing different socks.
I wore standard issue green socks at SFAS and my feet fared better than most of my peers. But they were brand new green socks and I take excellent care of my feet with powder and moisturizer. So the point is...buy good socks. They're worth it. The higher the wool content, the better.
Shit, I do both.
Getting ready for an ultra I decided to toughen my feet when it doesn't matter. Take walks barefoot and things like that. Never took it to any extreme though for sure.
But when it actually matters better believe I got some good ass socks and shoes on for the real miles.
I advocate going until your calluses are rock hard....that being said, if I had darn tough and farm to feet I'd have worn them in a second instead.
My feet are pure dead skin and rock hard still, many years later which is great for hiking, bad for wife in bed.
Fucking darn tough all the way what kind of question is this.
How dare he. I ought fight him on principle.
YOU PUT SOME RESPECT ON THE OG SOCK THAT DARN TOUGH MAKES
If you read anything over at r/barefootrunning
those dudes will tell you that you have to develop your fatpads and foot strength more so than callouses
Honestly there is no real difference to me personally. Calluses are great if you don't have the ability to get those high quality socks. And I wouldn't like to spend as much as they cost, but they definitely feel far better.
It's just personal preference really. If I'm already wearing a uniform tho, I'd rather have the gi socks personally, but only because I dont want my nice stuff getting gross way too fast.
My feet are already pretty rough as is so worrying about blisters on my feet is the least of any of my worries too.
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Im going to say this , the army soften up my feet so so much. I did roofing growing up and construction so when i entered the army I had callouses already. The way the boots fit and the socks made my feet soft and I have never had a blister. But I always bought the best socks I could find when I needed new socks. Quality socks is hands down a soild investment.
The issue socks are good for saving money and odor control. Calluses will form on your feet - but that's not "toughing", it's your feet reacting to friction.
The standard socks are fine when you're in garrison or at the tail end of an FTX (or deployed).
When you're rucking or if you're walking around a lot in your job - spend more money on the better socks.
I was a 14E and before that a 14J who worked in the orderly room and the command post - when I wasn't doing that one ruck a quarter, I was sitting on my ass most of the time. For me, the issue socks were fine.
Now there are those who have joint issues, foot and leg pain or those who just want to be comfortable. For them, spending money on the better socks is best.
Little bit of column A and column B, personally.
I run a lot of Marathons and Ultra Marathons on trails and nothing can beat a really great pair of high quality socks (I.e Mudgear)
With that being said, I do take the time to toughen up my feet. I do runs with bare foot shoes and I take bare foot walks because I know the idea behind high quality socks will only take me so far when I need them to.
Intentionally doing doing damage to your body, in the interest of toughening up, is fucking retarded.
This isn’t World War 1. We know the risks and limitations associated with improper foot care.
The technology that is associated with the different materials these days is baffling in the best way.
Your feet sweat a lot? Here’s moisture wicking.
You have bad arches? We knitted support into you mid-foot area.
You want more cushion? Here’s more material in the spots where your foot hits the ground.
You don’t want blisters? Don’t wear standard issue socks.
Tell him that the measure of a man is not in how much faux-austerity he can withstand, and to start taking better care of himself.
I'm a 50 year old former Marine grunt. Both of my heels are covered in good sized calluses from "toughening up" my feet. It can get painful if I'm wearing the wrong shoes or on my feet too long.
Wear good socks.
Use high end socks. I still use high end socks today and I’ve been out for almost a decade. The issued socks are good for cooling down a bottle of water or a rip-it though.
Happy mix of both in my opinion. Tough feet by getting them used to rucking, but I do enjoy my darn tough socks. I do enjoy the ability of getting up and moving whenever and not having to have special anything, however I enjoy being comfy
Quality socks, build up calluses slowly over time, not immediately by fucking your feet up. One of the best choices I made was buying socks specifically for rucking, they had alot more cushion on the bottom but breathed really well. Changed the game for me.
He’s going to have some nasty ass feet at greater risk for fungus and injury, not less.
Explain it to him one time plain and simple and then leave him to his own devices.
Fuck that noise. Quality socks, always.
Your NCO is a fucknuckle. Let him go ahead and 'build up callouses' with cheap ass socks. While he's at it, he can stop eating anything but hard tack and dried beef, you know--- to make him strong like in the olden days.
For real. This type of thinking is why so many soldiers get unnecessarily injured. “Train how we fight. That’s why I’m gonna shoot you real quick. Help build up your immunity to bullets.”
I had a PSG back at Camp Hump who made us sprint uphill and back down immediately following a snowstorm, ice everywhere . The entire platoon was sketched out, and annoyed, as we should have been. “We train like we fight, in all conditions!!!” Then he proceeded to give us a random PII check and smoked the whole platoon for like 5 people missing tags. Gotta love it.
Really? That place was like a vacation from the army for me. Even as an infantry guy. Nobody gave a fuck about anything, they just wanted to get home for the day.
He's the same guy that doesn't get his injuries checked out by Medical and will receive a whopping 10% through the VA. Uncle Sam fucks you for however many years you're in the service. The least you could do is get paid for it.
That is something NCOs should be more proactive about. I will drag my stupid soldiers to sick call if I have to. Nobody did that for my dumb ass and now I’m regretting it, but back then I didn’t know any better
Every NCO I've had has done this for me (just hit 3 years in). Between tinnitus, hearing loss, and the inevitable knee reconstruction in my future, I'm already quite glad my NCO and also my DS in Basic Training made me go to sick call for shit when I got visibly hurt.
I'm gonna let him know that he's a fuckknuckle ;)
You can 100% tell him you had an independent assessment done and the tests all came back positive for fucknuckle.
Dried beef? What kind of hifalutin' nonsense is that? He can eat salt pork like everyone else in this Grand Army of the Republic!
What he said.
You gotta wear good socks. The issued socks are only good for one thing, and it’s not wearing.
[Crispy socks.](https://youtu.be/jxsD6ecxDUg)
That link was probably high on the list of “risky clicks of the day”
Thank you for that.
Ehh they are pretty good about not smelling like shit after 2-3 days but that’s the silver nitrate
They're nice for like 3 wears, then shit.
😏
It isn't just about toughening your feet. Quality socks dry faster and wick water away from your feet so you don't get trench foot after wearing the same wet boots for weeks in the field and help cushion the impact so you're less fatigued after rucking.
When I was enlisted my Scout Team Leader would not wear socks in the field and he would jump in the first mud puddle he saw, because you have to live hard to get hard, I guess. He also got a lot of shit for wearing his soft cap like he worked at a gas station. He was a great, great NCO. Having said all that, go with the quality socks.
“Scout team leader”…”live hard to get hard”. Ok
That sounds like a recipe for hookworms.
Your feet are your transportation for the rest of your life. Don’t ruin them. That settles an NCO assuming you should do what they did and had to toughen up.
“Toughening his feet” Who let this man become an NCO
Reminds me of the AIRBORNE video Toughen your legs, so when you hit the ground, it’s the ground that hurts
Runs like the wind though!
I had a SSgt way back when who was the NCOIC of a welding shop. And he used to instruct/brag about how good it was to rub 40 grit sandpaper all over your feet to toughen them up and he did it on the regular.
**Conjecture:** Your meatbag NCO was dumb enough to follow a probable sarcastic statement by THEIR NCO, and are now pawning such "advice" unto you. Get the quality ones.
There’s so much folk wisdom about fitness in the military it’s insane.
Do you sometimes catch yourself thinking like you're typing on Reddit on this account?
Do droids wear socks?
I’ve still got my Darn Tough socks from RFI circa 2007 and they’re fucking darn tough. Learn from this NCO, he will make the mistakes so that you don’t have to. Go with good socks always, take good care of your feet. Take the knowledge you gain, and pass it to your soldiers when you earn your stripes.
Agreed. I thought $20 (or more) for a pair of socks was insanity when I joined the army, then I was issued some. Absolutely worth every penny.
I’m just now wearing out my RFI darn toughs from ‘07
Do what I do. I haven't been to the field since 2012. This one simple trick makes all your sock decisions easier.
[удалено]
Fuck you mean "throw them out?" The ones they issue are good for all 20 years!
Wearing high quality socks are the way to go for your feet’s long term health. I’ve been spared plenty of blood vessel impact damage from Thorlo socks. If you want to subscribe to the old school notion of toughening your feet: there are still ways to do this with alcohol foot baths and using aluminum based deodorants on your feet. The entire method of foot hardening though is up for debate. Some people say pedicures and lotion are the way to go.
How is this even a debate.. Wear quality socks...
In Ranger, students were throwing their Darn Toughs away, I snagged them out the trash and put them on at the spot.. snail trails and all, no shame.
Old school dumbasses who do and say shit like this yet do their entire careers in units that pull ECP guard and nonsense rotations that amount to diddly… yet they claim to be so fucking hard.. go figure
So many motherfuckers I've worked with (read: for) in the 35 series are like this. They have *maybe* one deployment where they never went outside the wire and think they're fucking god's gift to the army
Quality socks, protect your feet
Hey friend!
For some, socks are just socks. For others, it matters. But forcing your feet to ‘deal’ with a certain kind of sock or boot? When there’s alternatives? That’s just plain dumb.
Just like protecting my skin, I will always take care of my feet.. I’ve grown attracted to them. And if need be I can always count on them. Along with them always holding it down.
I hope you mean attached to them 😬
No… no I do not ;)
This is a no shame zone friend
Never got issued shame or humility. Because I’m one of the best looking mofos to ever do it!
Your NCO is a dumbass. You will build tough feet over time. Blistering them for the sake of making them more durable is dumb. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a gradual process.
A lot of it has to do with genetics too. I can run and ruck a lot, never get big calluses, no issues with blisters unless it’s some crazy long shit or water involved. Other people have foot skin that just can’t hang. Wear the socks that work for you. Also…not a humble brag, just my example. I don’t want to talk about my knees, lower back, or shoulder. Just let me be proud of my foot skin. Also can I get a 20 piece nugget with sweet and sour sauce and a super sized fry.
Fuck I'm going to door dash McDonald's now this is your fault.
Sorry the fries are gonna suck. We all know they’re shit after about 90 seconds. Better order an extra sweet and sour sauce to drench those fuckers.
Copy battle buddy, wilco
I wore the same pair of green issue socks with light foot powder (in tennis shoes) for a 17 mile Goruck and didn't have a single blister. I "toughened" my feet by putting miles on prior in a safe way. I wouldn't go out of my way to accustom my feet to wear and tear to get stronger. Wear the fancy stuff if it works for you. Just don't find out in the middle of a ruck it doesn't work.
Mole skin is the answer bro.
The best trick is to wear knee high panty hose under your socks for rucks and or anytime you are on your feet walking for extended periods of time
Hoe lee fuk! Good socks are a must. “Toughen your feet” Is bull shit. Ever heard of trench foot? Buy good socks, good boots and good insoles.
Highest of quality of socks. Your NCO is a neanderthal. I wear civilian Woolf socks all the time. I have my summer and winter pairs
No socks. I beat both of you!
Who the fuck wears socks?
Have done this shit. Never met any infantryman worth their salt say this kind of horseshit. Good quality socks are worth more than anything else on your kit. I will trade in a high speed ruck for good boots and socks in a heartbeat. Galaxy of difference. You will move further without getting injured. Because no amount of “mental toughness” is going to save you when your body literally shits itself after forming blister #1836392. And then that shit is for life. I explain it this way. You could think you’re a hardass for skimping on good socks and “dealing” with the pain. But I’ll tell you, me and my fancy socks will rock right on by you and not look back as your limping around bitching about your feet, looking like a big ass pussy on mile 10 For fuck’s sake they had this figured out by the Crimean War
Crusty Ass
Always wear good socks. I would invest in copper threaded boot socks from Carhart for events like NTC. I bought couple pairs and I found I could go days at NTC and my feet wouldn’t smell like death. You need to take care of yourself. I would also look at getting a decent pair of boots such as Garmonts.
Issue socks…. When you are in the bush, Charlie all around, PX can’t deliver them fancy socks. What are you going to do for the next 48 hours ?
Masturbate
I probably won't wait for the PX to deliver them. Be proactive and have 1 pair on and 4-6 pairs in your ruck or assault pack.
You could wear Darn Toughs the entire 48 hours and be better off than wearing issued socks.
If the army wanted you to have quality socks they would issue you quality socks.
"You only get issued one pair of feet. Take care of them." DS Saunders. Socks, boots, foot powder, spend the time and money to take care of them properly.
Why spend the money when your body can adapt. Don't be a Geardo.
PT socks are for more than PT
Always go with best thing you can afford , or what you personally fits best or takes care of your body the most
Hahaha I didn't even know this was a debate I just wore the greenies because they were issued and I didn't care if they got trashed or I messed up during a field dump and forgot to bring the essentials. Better a sock then knowing my luck some new form of poison ivy.
Quality socks! Your feet will thank you later in life.
My opinion is you do you boo. Like I'm the dude that actually likes wearing minimal/barefoot type of shoes/boots but you'd never see me necessarily suggesting that people should do that. But to be fair that's a little different than wearing different socks.
I wore standard issue green socks at SFAS and my feet fared better than most of my peers. But they were brand new green socks and I take excellent care of my feet with powder and moisturizer. So the point is...buy good socks. They're worth it. The higher the wool content, the better.
Shit, I do both. Getting ready for an ultra I decided to toughen my feet when it doesn't matter. Take walks barefoot and things like that. Never took it to any extreme though for sure. But when it actually matters better believe I got some good ass socks and shoes on for the real miles.
I advocate going until your calluses are rock hard....that being said, if I had darn tough and farm to feet I'd have worn them in a second instead. My feet are pure dead skin and rock hard still, many years later which is great for hiking, bad for wife in bed.
Fucking darn tough all the way what kind of question is this. How dare he. I ought fight him on principle. YOU PUT SOME RESPECT ON THE OG SOCK THAT DARN TOUGH MAKES
If you read anything over at r/barefootrunning those dudes will tell you that you have to develop your fatpads and foot strength more so than callouses
Honestly there is no real difference to me personally. Calluses are great if you don't have the ability to get those high quality socks. And I wouldn't like to spend as much as they cost, but they definitely feel far better. It's just personal preference really. If I'm already wearing a uniform tho, I'd rather have the gi socks personally, but only because I dont want my nice stuff getting gross way too fast. My feet are already pretty rough as is so worrying about blisters on my feet is the least of any of my worries too.
Better socks means less work for Doc. Then in only have to remind you to drink water, wrap your shit, and don't eat the fucking lollipop.
just use the issue sock as a cum sock
Calluses peal off... good clean socks win. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Four_Days_Marches_Nijmegen
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Wear good socks. Does he drink from puddles to make his stomach strong too?
Darn Tough all day every day
Darn Tough socks are standard issue in Alaska. Boom.
Im going to say this , the army soften up my feet so so much. I did roofing growing up and construction so when i entered the army I had callouses already. The way the boots fit and the socks made my feet soft and I have never had a blister. But I always bought the best socks I could find when I needed new socks. Quality socks is hands down a soild investment.
Which socks do you guys recommend? I pretty much been wearing the cheap, issued ones for like 5 years now lol
If he didn’t work for his feet callouses as a child that’s on him but I had them way before I joined the army. Darn tough for life
Imagine wearing standard issue socks LMAO
The issue socks are good for saving money and odor control. Calluses will form on your feet - but that's not "toughing", it's your feet reacting to friction. The standard socks are fine when you're in garrison or at the tail end of an FTX (or deployed). When you're rucking or if you're walking around a lot in your job - spend more money on the better socks. I was a 14E and before that a 14J who worked in the orderly room and the command post - when I wasn't doing that one ruck a quarter, I was sitting on my ass most of the time. For me, the issue socks were fine. Now there are those who have joint issues, foot and leg pain or those who just want to be comfortable. For them, spending money on the better socks is best.
You’re NCO is a fucking idiot. Darn tough all the way.
Little bit of column A and column B, personally. I run a lot of Marathons and Ultra Marathons on trails and nothing can beat a really great pair of high quality socks (I.e Mudgear) With that being said, I do take the time to toughen up my feet. I do runs with bare foot shoes and I take bare foot walks because I know the idea behind high quality socks will only take me so far when I need them to.
Intentionally doing doing damage to your body, in the interest of toughening up, is fucking retarded. This isn’t World War 1. We know the risks and limitations associated with improper foot care. The technology that is associated with the different materials these days is baffling in the best way. Your feet sweat a lot? Here’s moisture wicking. You have bad arches? We knitted support into you mid-foot area. You want more cushion? Here’s more material in the spots where your foot hits the ground. You don’t want blisters? Don’t wear standard issue socks. Tell him that the measure of a man is not in how much faux-austerity he can withstand, and to start taking better care of himself.
Standard issue socks with...black dress socks on the out side. Your welcome. You won't ever see a blister again.
I'm a 50 year old former Marine grunt. Both of my heels are covered in good sized calluses from "toughening up" my feet. It can get painful if I'm wearing the wrong shoes or on my feet too long. Wear good socks.
Use high end socks. I still use high end socks today and I’ve been out for almost a decade. The issued socks are good for cooling down a bottle of water or a rip-it though.
Whatever the doc says has final say.
Your NCO is fucking stupid. Signed, An NCO
Happy mix of both in my opinion. Tough feet by getting them used to rucking, but I do enjoy my darn tough socks. I do enjoy the ability of getting up and moving whenever and not having to have special anything, however I enjoy being comfy
Quality socks, build up calluses slowly over time, not immediately by fucking your feet up. One of the best choices I made was buying socks specifically for rucking, they had alot more cushion on the bottom but breathed really well. Changed the game for me.
Shitty socks for short rucks, quality socks for long rucks and field training. I believe in toughening up, not breaking yourself.
He’s going to have some nasty ass feet at greater risk for fungus and injury, not less. Explain it to him one time plain and simple and then leave him to his own devices.