GORUCK describes their new Constellation series of events as:

GORUCK Constellation is a scenario-driven event led by GORUCK’s Special Forces Cadre, all experts in urban survival. You and your small cell will move through a series of tasks and checkpoints — the stars that form the constellations in the urban terrain. You’ll learn how to prepare and plan for chaos and how to connect the dots of your city, on the move. The goal, of course, is to sharpen your mind into the greatest weapon you have. Because the difference between a hard target and an easy target … is everything.

GORUCK did not disappoint on this promise. This is my 6th GORUCK event, I’ve completed 4 Light GORUCK Challenges, and participated in a local Operation Clearfield Scavenger event. When GORUCK announced the Constellation series, I was more than excited to link up with Fred, my GORUCK “Battle Buddy”, and get signed up. I’ve always had a fascination with disasters and survival situations, so this event sounded right up my alley. This was also my first overnight event, so I was curious how I would make it through the morning hours of the event.

I trained for this event like I have my other events, rucking with my local buddies from Team RWB, and brushing up on AARs of previous Constellation events (hint: there aren’t a lot of AARs out there). Putting together the gear list for this was interesting too, after 4 Lights, I pretty much have a typical loadout and layout for my gear. Since the packing list is so radically different for this, my mind kept telling me “You’re overpacking, your ruck is never this full of random stuff. It’s like a gypsy camp exploded inside your ruck this isn’t right.” That said, we used every last bit of gear on the list.

Our event was slated for Minneapolis, MN, but took place in Apple Valley. I guess this allowed for the smoothest event and least amount of interference from locals and/or local police. We arrived the day prior to the event to avoid travel fatigue, and spend some time with family that lives north of Minneapolis.