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GORUCK Review: Indestructible Grid Fleece – Half Zip – Polartec

December 1, 2023 By Thad Forester

After extensively wearing this since 2021, I thought it was time to let you know how it’s held up to exercising outside, rucking and just wearing around b/c it looks good. In addition to this short article, you can watch my review on YouTube below:

What I like:

Warmth. I’ve had since 2021 and wear it all the time in non-summer months. I regularly exercise outdoors and ruck (multiple times/week) and this Polartec Grid Fleece is my go-to. When it’s below 45 degrees, it’s a second or third layer (depending how cold) and covers my neck. When it’s over 45 degrees, I don’t need any other layers with this. It also wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and warm.
Toughness. Given how much I wear this, there are no signs of wear. The reinforced shoulders with ToughDry fabric do their job for the straps of a rucksack or backpack.
Looks. It just looks good to me. In addition to being a mainstay for outdoor workouts, I wear around casually all the time.

In addition, it comes with the Scars Lifetime Guarantee – you break it, they fix it! I’ve put my fleece to the test and worn often, mostly with a weighted ruck sack on my back and with outdoor F3 workouts (on grass, parking lots, sidewalks, tennis courts, etc). There is no better lifetime guarantee on the market.

Pairs perfectly with the GORUCK Commando Pullover-Merino Wool, as seen above.

In my video review, I also cover sizing, torso length (important) and a few other details and that it shows little signs of wear.

The boys and I were in the woods today and the temp was in the mid-40’s. I had one long-sleeve t-shirt on underneath this Indestructible/Polartec Grid Fleece. It’s incredibly warm for it’s thickness. I wear it all the time in cool and cold temps.

To read more about it and/or purchase, visit:

https://www.thadforester.com/gr-grid-fleece-half

Thanks for watching/reading. If you enjoy, please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I purchase GORUCK gear and clothing regularly. I also use it often– almost daily.

Note: GORUCK has never sent me anything to review. All of my reviews are b/c I purchased and use the products. However, I’d never object to them sending me gear to review…

For more GORUCK rucking and training gear:

https://www.thadforester.com/grtrainingshorts-yt
https://www.thadforester.com/gryt-sand
https://www.thadforester.com/grballistic
https://www.thadforester.com/gryt-rucker
https://www.thadforester.com/grsocks
https://www.thadforester.com/roughrunners-2/

GORUCK Indestructible Challenge Shorts Review

November 17, 2023 By Thad Forester

Fit, function, ToughDry material, and why I recommend them in under 6 minutes.

To read more and/or purchase, go here: https://www.thadforester.com/grapparel

I’ve been wearing GORUCK apparel for 8 years. These shorts are tough, aka abrasion resistant, dry very fast, stretch, and are water repellant.

I also explain why they are practical for everyone, not just those participating in a GORUCK event. But, if you want to learn more about the GORUCK events, visit here: https://www.thadforester.com/goruck-events

Update: On May 18, 2024, I completed the Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk, which is a continuous 28 mile ruck. We got heavily rained on. I wore the Challenge Sh o rts and once again proved why I like them. They didn’t cling to my legs as we walked on the hilly terrain in the rain and sun. They completely dried before the next round of rain came.

Also mentioned in this video are the GORUCK 24.7 Simple Shorts and some differences between the two. You can watch my review on them here: https://youtu.be/hTHwJ_de1H0

See more GORUCK apparel here: https://www.thadforester.com/grapparel

Let me know any questions or comments.

Ep 111 | Don Stevens – Security Forces, Combat Control, Burn the Ships, PTSD

November 6, 2023 By Thad Forester

Don Stevens is one of those rare operators who retrained into the Air Force combat control (CCT) pipeline at the age of 32, after being in security forces. This required uncommon humility since leadership said, “What are we gonna do with a MSgt. who doesn’t know squat (many different strong words could be inserted here)?”

Even though I’ve had several CCT’s on this show, we haven’t talked much about their humanitarian roles. Don tells us how he got a team ready to deploy to Haiti in less than 4 hours, when the earthquake in 2010 happened.

Stevens provides advice to new guys entering the CCT pipeline, why PTSD doesn’t have to be a big deal, and shared the scariest thing he’s ever done. Hint, it wasn’t in Afghanistan or Africa.

You can also learn more about Don as the co-founder of FoxTrot 3.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thai Soccer Team Rescue

If you’re listening on Apple Music or Spotify, please rate the podcast with 5-stars and subscribe or follow. I’m tired of average podcasts with lame topics getting more listens than this one. Please help spread the word!

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I’m a proud affiliate of GORUCK. Please use this link if you want to check out their workout, rucking, running, apparel and other equipment. It doesn’t cost you any add’l money, but allows me to get a small commission to help this podcast reach larger audiences:

https://www.thadforester.com/gr-affiliate

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Ep 110 | Special: Kenny Alicea & Mark Forester – Beautiful Symphony of Death and Destruction

September 29, 2023 By Thad Forester

On this 13th anniversary of the death of my brother, SrA Mark Forester, I have the opportunity to talk with Kenny Alicea who was the Senior Weapons Sergeant for his Army Special Forces team (ODA 7212) where Mark was attached.

Kenny contacted me a few weeks ago and told me he was on that final mission when Mark and Calvin were killed. He was a few hundred meters away with the mounted element, but he heard the radio calls and helped clear the area after their deaths. He helps piece together a few more details about Mark’s final moments.

In addition, Alicea told me about some initial disagreements and arguments he and Mark had and how they resolved those and worked together to bring destruction to terrorists and protect their teams. Hint: both of them said they own the airspace. Once they started working together, he said Mark was phenomenal at his job.

You can connect with Kenny on his YouTube Channel that helps vets in the private security contracting field: https://www.youtube.com/@VetsToPSC

For those watching the YouTube version, I hope you enjoy the slideshow at the very end of the interview.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep 60: Captain Wes Wilson – Ken’s team captain gives lots of detail on that battle too

Ep 38: Bobby Bonello – Mark’s good friend escorting him home to Dover AFB – Angel Flight

Copyright 2023 Thad Forester
https://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
Watch this interview on YouTube

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Ep 109 | Nic McKinley – Fighting a War on Human Trafficking

September 4, 2023 By Thad Forester

Nic McKinley is an entrepreneur, former Air Force Pararescueman, and ex-CIA operative who founded DeliverFund, the only donor-funded solution to human trafficking that delivers proprietary data and technology to law enforcement, allowing them to take down human traffickers effectively.

With 30 combat deployments under his belt in both Special Operations and the CIA, Nic experienced the power of technology during the Global War on Terror and set out to use his skills and training with that experience to combat modern slavery.

On September 1, 2023, DeliverFund launched an app to combat human trafficking. Nic discusses this in-depth and drives home how effective and life saving this app can be. You can download it here.

By gaining access to DeliverFund’s immense digital database of potential human trafficking activity, we all have the ability to take proactive measures to ensure our safety. We can work collectively to build safer, stronger communities.

I loved talking with Nic. He also gave unique perspective how his life as an Air Force PJ prepared him for the CIA and for launching DeliverFund. He also shares some thoughts on “til Valhalla” meaning and why we should seek for something better.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nic on Episode 68 of Patriot to the Core

Nic on Cleared Hot Podcast

Nic McKinley – The Real Jack Ryan

Copyright 2023 Thad Forester
https://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
Watch this interview on YouTube