Bulk up now or hold off?

[taproot2779]

I'm a pre-OCS SNFO and like a lot of folks in my shoes I hope to end up in jets one day. Word is the more muscle you have the easier it'll be to withstand Gs. I'm wondering if I should start building more muscle now or wait until after OCS so I don't have all that extra weight to run around with.
Also, I'm heading out to OCS from southern Cali. I was planning on making the drive but my OSO suggested flying out there in order to avoid any BS (flat tires, tickets etc.) Seems like most folks insist that life is only worth living if you have your car out there, but I'm not sure if the hassle is worth it. Thoughts?
Thanks

 

[Brett327]

I'm a pre-OCS SNFO and like a lot of folks in my shoes I hope to end up in jets one day. Word is the more muscle you have the easier it'll be to withstand Gs. I'm wondering if I should start building more muscle now or wait until after OCS so I don't have all that extra weight to run around with.
Also, I'm heading out to OCS from southern Cali. I was planning on making the drive but my OSO suggested flying out there in order to avoid any BS (flat tires, tickets etc.) Seems like most folks insist that life is only worth living if you have your car out there, but I'm not sure if the hassle is worth it. Thoughts?
Thanks

The difference is negligible, and depends on many other factors as well. Get big because you want to, not for the .5 difference in G tolerance it might or might not give you.

Brett

 

[insanebikerboy]

Yup, assuming you're right handed, bulk up the right bicep and forearm. That way you won't pull a muscle when you lift all of those beers while waiting for flight school to start.

Seriously, just stay in shape, lift if you want, but unless you're as skinny as a rail, "bulking up" probably isn't needed. Be aerobically fit, they'll teach you how to do the anti-G maneuvers to prevent GLOC.

 

[Ben_Dover]

Definitely drive but allow extra time for that "bs" your OSO speaks of. Speaking from what little experience I have (4 assignments to bases w/o bringing my vehicle), it sucks to depend on other people to transport you around. Just my two cents....

 

[nittany03]

With what Brett said, consider this. I'm a skinny guy. 5'9" and maybe a buck forty soaking wet. My resting tolerance when I did the centrifuge was still 4 Gs with no strain or G-suit. Everyone's different and every day is different due to hydration and other things, but unless you're a marathoner I wouldn't worry. feddoc can explain more, but it's based as much on blood pressure as muscle strength.

 

[taproot2779]

cool, thanks for the info

 

[badger16]

doesn't being short also help with pulling G's because your head is closer to your heart? I remember reading something like that online. anyone know if its true?

 

[Tom]

I have heard that as well.

 

[nittany03]

doesn't being short also help with pulling G's because your head is closer to your heart? I remember reading something like that online. anyone know if its true?

Not so much short overall as having a short torso, I believe, for the reasons you stated. Apparently females can pull more Gs statistically, for that reason (generally longer legs and shorter torso).

It has to do with the ability to keep blood to the brain under positive pressure. GLOC is actually a form of hypoxia in which the cardiovascular system can't push fresh blood to the brain, causing unconsciousness. So if your heart can exert a force of X mmHg, whenever the G-force pulling down equals -X, G effects will occur. X can be increased by higher overall blood pressure, straining, a G-suit or your body's own cardiovascular response to G (which is one reason why NATOPS stipulates a G-warm before dynamic maneuvers; it kicks in after ~10sec but lasts minutes and refreshes every time you pull G). There is also a ~5 second window where you can pull as hard as you want due to reserve oxygen in your brain. Between 5-10sec is when you are least equipped to handle G and your tolerance is lowest.

 

[badger16]

It has to do with the ability to keep blood to the brain under positive pressure. GLOC is actually a form of hypoxia in which the cardiovascular system can't push fresh blood to the brain, causing unconsciousness. So if your heart can exert a force of X mmHg, whenever the G-force pulling down equals -X, G effects will occur. X can be increased by higher overall blood pressure, straining, a G-suit or your body's own cardiovascular response to G (which is one reason why NATOPS stipulates a G-warm before dynamic maneuvers; it kicks in after ~10sec but lasts minutes and refreshes every time you pull G). There is also a ~5 second window where you can pull as hard as you want due to reserve oxygen in your brain. Between 5-10sec is when you are least equipped to handle G and your tolerance is lowest.

awesome gouge man thanks for the information. how long are runs in the centrifuge usually? obviously i'm guessing over 10seconds but will they just keep it spinning till you pass out to see your max?

 

[nittany03]

awesome gouge man thanks for the information. how long are runs in the centrifuge usually? obviously i'm guessing over 10seconds but will they just keep it spinning till you pass out to see your max?

I can't remember the exact profiles. The first one is no G-strain, gradual onset until you get a certain amount of light loss. This is your resting tolerance. Then a given amount of time at I think 1-2Gs over your tolerance. You also do an ACM profile where you keep a little airplane in crosshairs using the stick under varying amounts of G. There are 2 profiles, Hornet (7.5G max) and Prowler (6.3 G max). Prowler guys can opt to do the Hornet one, though, and if you do it you won't have to requal if you transition to the Shocker. Then you end with a defensive set where your head is turned over 90 degrees to the side.

 

[Brett327]

I can't remember the exact profiles. The first one is no G-strain, gradual onset until you get a certain amount of light loss. This is your resting tolerance. Then a given amount of time at I think 1-2Gs over your tolerance. You also do an ACM profile where you keep a little airplane in crosshairs using the stick under varying amounts of G. There are 2 profiles, Hornet (7.5G max) and Prowler (6.3 G max). Prowler guys can opt to do the Hornet one, though, and if you do it you won't have to requal if you transition to the Shocker. Then you end with a defensive set where your head is turned over 90 degrees to the side.

I seem to remember the two 7.5 runs were ~30 seconds. For the record, Flash is the only male Prowler bubba I know who has opted for the "Prowler" profile.

Brett

 

[Fmr1833]

Then you end with a defensive set where your head is turned over 90 degrees to the side.

If you have any hair on your sack (or whatever) you'll ask them to let you do the 8G rapid onset after your fourth profile. It's a 30 second gut check that you won't (probably) get to do anywhere else. I was the only one to even try it out of 12 guys. Tapped out at 19 seconds but it was worth it. Remember, the key to happiness is grabbing life by the balls.

By the way, I met Feddoc at the fuge. Real nice guy...Doc, if you're around, what's your status these days?

 

[feddoc]

I'm a pre-OCS SNFO and like a lot of folks in my shoes I hope to end up in jets one day. Word is the more muscle you have the easier it'll be to withstand Gs. I'm wondering if I should start building more muscle now or wait until after OCS so I don't have all that extra weight to run around with.
Also, I'm heading out to OCS from southern Cali. I was planning on making the drive but my OSO suggested flying out there in order to avoid any BS (flat tires, tickets etc.) Seems like most folks insist that life is only worth living if you have your car out there, but I'm not sure if the hassle is worth it. Thoughts?
Thanks

Bulking up is not necessarily the key to adding to your G tolerance....building the ability to do maximal lower body contractions (part of your AGSM) and the ability to repeat those contractions is more crititical.

A more accurate statement would be that if you develop max explosive power in your lower body, you should also increase your G tolerance as a side benefit. Bulking up and building max power should be exclusive, although to most they are the same.

 

[invertedflyer]

mango was at the gym tonight... I can vouch for that Hes well on his way to a good PRT score.