Christopher Broughton

Where are you from?

I'm from Southern Ohio but I currently live in the upstate of South Carolina.

How did you get into rucking?

I got into rucking more or less the same way others did. I joined the military and spent my entire career in a weapon squad on some sort of gun team.

Favorite ruck so far:

Favorite ruck so far was the Austrian Virtuelle march. I had no idea what that ribbon material was going to look like. I wasn't disappointed, it's a crazy looking award.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned on a ruck?

The hardest lesson I ever learned on a ruck is this, load order/packing layout is important. Water and snacks are important, electrolyte powders are important. Being in shape is important. Nothing is more important than a good solid rucksack. I hated my issued MOLLE ruck in Alaska because the plastic frame kept breaking in -40° so I went and bought a steel frame Alice. Never had issues with a ruck again.

What is your go-to ruck setup?

Go to ruck setup is danner tacheons at the bottom with fox river or equivalent sock, weight is whatever is required at that time, Alice machine gunner (the one with extra pouches on the top flap) rucksack. If I'm in uniform then I'm wearing my hot weather OCPs with unbloused boots and an untucked shirt.

What is your advice for new ruckers?

Advice I'd give to new Rucker is be comfortable at first, backpack with not too much weight, shirt, and shorts, go and walk for 2 miles or so just off the road with little weight and slowly work up. Work up until you can maintain a range walk as your default pace, then add weight to your rucksack. 60/120s are the best way to ruck.

What is the next event you are training for?

The next event I'm training for is the Czech Statehood and Austerlitz marches.

Fun fact about you outside of rucking:

Fun fact is I'm all about training, I train local law enforcement in CQB tactics and precision shooting past 300 meter. I train people who have never held a gun how to be confident in their firearm and employ it effectively.

CHRISTOPHER BROUGHTON - SOUTH CAROLINA, USA