Civil Affairs Q-Course Overview
The following is a sport-specific 7-week program designed to prepare athletes for the rigors of being a Civil Affairs soldier post launguage school.
This program gets progressively harder each week. Don’t skip ahead!! The plan is designed to build upon itself. If you have to miss a training day, start up back where you left off.
This training program trains for the physical training standards a soldier is expected to meet post language school, including the 12-Mile Ruck, 5-Mile Run, and AFT.
The plan includes 3 specific assessments and follow-on percentage based progressions which allow the training program to automatically scale to your level of fitness. You’ll take these assessments 3 times over the 7 week program:
- AFT – 3RM Trapbar Deadlift, Max Hand Release Push Ups (2 minutes), Sprint-Drag-Carry, Max Plank, and 2 Mile Run
- 12 Mile Ruck for Time – 45# Ruck, 10lb Rubber Rifle or Sledge Hammer, Full Cammies/Boots
- 5 Mile Run for Time
This is Version 2 of the plan, updated July 2025.
Weekly Training Schedule
- Monday: AFT (Week 1, 4, and 7), 5 Mile Run Work (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Tuesday: Easy Run (Week 1, 4, and 7), AFT Deadlift, Pushups, and Plank Work in the AM and Ruck Intervals in the PM (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Wednesday: 5 Mile Run Assessment (Week 1, 4, and 7), AFT Sprint-Drag-Carry and 2 Mile Run Work (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
- Thursday: AFT Deadlift, Pushups, and Plank Work
- Friday: 12 Mile Ruck Assessment (Week 1, 4, and 7), Long Ruck (Week 2, 3, 5, and 6)
Below is how this training program trains the specific events in the AFT:
| AFT Event | How This plan Trains For It |
| 3RM Dead Lift | Dead Lifts based on your most recent AFT 3RM. We deploy our “Big 24: progression methodology to train your 3RM. Note…the Army video of the AFT uses a Trap Bar for dead lifts. You may not have access to a Trap Bar – if not, do your 3RM Dead Lift in the AFT using a regular straight Olympic bar and use the straight bar for the progressions in this plan. |
| Hand Release Push Ups | This plan deploys our Density progression for bodyweight exercises to train your Hand Release Push Ups. |
| Sprint-Drag-Carry | This plan trains this event with two methods: (1) 150m Shuttle Repeats to train anaerobic fitness and (2) 100m shuttle efforts for the drag, lateral shuttle, and kettlebell carry. |
| Plank | Assessment-based, density progression using your most recent assessment result. |
| 2 Mile Run For Time | 800m interval repeats based on your most recent AFT 2-Mile Run Time. |
Please click HERE for an official US Army AFT Website describing the AFT and it’s events.
Please click HERE for the AFT Scoring Tables.
RUCK AND RUN INTERVALS
The training plan includes scaled paces for your 5 Mile Run work and 12 Mile Ruck work. These paces are based on your assessment results from the 12-Mile Ruck and 5-Mile Run. You’ll take these assessments 3 times throughout the plan. Use your latest assessment results for the subsequent training sessions.
We use interval training to train your run and rucking speed. The interval distances are shorter, and pace faster than your latest assessment pace. You’ll use the Running Calculator and Ruck Calculator to find your interval pace for the assigned distance.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What equipment is needed to complete this program?
- Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Timex Ironman is best.
- 40/60# Sandbags (40# for Women, 60# for Men)
- Rope for Sandbag Pulls
- ALICE Ruck or same ruck you will use, 45# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lb sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)
- Highly Recommended – GPS-enabled Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (Garmin Forerunner 10 is recommended ) A GPS enabled watch will make measuring run and ruck distances much easier.
What if I miss a day?
Don’t skip ahead. Start where you left off. The plan is progressive, and its training sessions designed to be completed in order.
What if I can’t handle the training volume at first?
Building stamina and resilience is a key training goal of this plan, and physical and mental stamina is also key to completing the course. If you can’t handle the training volume at first, its better to cut training sessions short, rather than take unscheduled rest days.
What if I can’t make the prescribed reps for the bodyweight exercises, or the prescribed interval times for the rucks or runs?
Do your best, and be sure to do the total number of rounds, even if you can’t make the reps or the time. Don’t quit.
Unfamiliar Exercises?
Go to http://mtntactical.com/category/exercises/ to see unfamiliar exercises.
More Questions?
Email coach@mtntactical.com
Good Luck!
Rob Shaul, Mountain Tactical Institute
Created July, 2017
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
- Fully equipped functional fitness gym (squat racks, barbells, bumper plates, etc.)
- Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Timex Ironman is best.
- 40/60# Sandbags (40# for Women, 60# for Men)
- ALICE Ruck or same ruck you will use, 45# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lbs sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)
- Pull Up Bar
- Highly Recommended – GPS-enabled Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (Garmin Forerunner 10 is recommended ) A GPS enabled watch will make measuring run and ruck distances much easier.
SESSION 1
Obj: Assessment – AFT No. 1
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
8x Dead Lift – Increase weight each round as you warm up
4x Hand Release Push Ups
4x 25m Shuttle
8x Sit Ups
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
(1) Work Up to 3RM Dead Lift
– Note: You have just 5 minutes. We recommend two 3-rep efforts working up, then 1–2x 3RM attempts. Don’t go heavier than 420 pounds.
*** Rest 2 Minutes
(2) Max Hand Release Push Ups in 2 Minutes
– Note: Rest position is in the front leaning rest position (high plank)
*** Rest 2 Minutes
(3) Sprint-Drag-Carry for Time
– Note: Start from prone, drag a 90-pound sled, and carry 45-pound kettlebells or dumbbells
*** Rest 2 Minutes
(4) Max Plank for Time
*** Rest 5 Minutes
(5) Run 2 Miles for Time
RECORD ALL SCORES
SESSION 2
Obj: Easy Run
Warm Up:
—
Training:
(1) 60-Minute Easy Run
"Easy" = You can speak in full sentences while moving
SESSION 3
Obj: Assessment – 5-Mile Run No. 1
Warm Up:
—
Training:
(1) Run 5 Miles for Time
RECORD RESULTS
SESSION 4
Obj: Dead Lift, Hand Release Push Up, Plank
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
8x Dead Lift – Increase weight each round as you warm up
4x Hand Release Push Ups
4x 25m Shuttle
8x Sit Ups
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
(1) 8 Rounds – AFT Deadlift
– Round 1: 3x @ 65% of Finish Load
– Round 2: 3x @ 75% of Finish Load
– Round 3: 3x @ 85% of Finish Load
– Rounds 4–8: 3x @ (3RM – 10 lbs)
– 3rd World Squat Stretch between each round
– Example: If your 3RM from Session 1 was 225 lbs, use 215 lbs for Rounds 4–8
(2) 6 Rounds, Every 75 Seconds
30% Hand Release Push Ups
Use SESSION 1’s AFT HRPU Assessment to determine reps
Rest with whatever time is remaining in the 75-second interval
(3) 6 Rounds
30% Max Plank Time
Rest 30 Seconds
Use SESSION 1’s AFT Plank Assessment to determine time
(4) 2 Rounds
Toe Touch Complex
5x Shoulder Dislocates
SESSION 5
Obj: Assessment – 12-Mile Ruck No. 1
Warm Up:
—
Training:
(1) Ruck 12 Miles for Time
– 45# Ruck + Rifle, Rubber Mallet, or 10# Dumbbell
– This is a timed assessment
– Ruck run the entire 12 miles if possible
– If not, run/walk to finish as fast as you can
– Wear full cammies and boots
RECORD RESULT
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
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What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com