GORUCK Constellation is definitely not your standard GORUCK event. The required gear list is very different from a Light, Tough, or Heavy and you’ll see things here you should never bring to those events. In addition GORUCK Constellation had a fairly major overhaul in 2018 so the event is very different as well. If you’re curious about those changes listen to our interview with GORUCK Cadre Mickey who is the lead GORUCK Cadre on this event.
As always check your specific event page on the GORUCK website in advance. GORUCK is notorious for changing their required gear lists around and you always want to double and triple check that you are bringing the right stuff.
GORUCK Constellation 12 Packing List Video
If you’re not the reading type we’ve put together a video detailing all of the gear required at a GORUCK Constellation 12 event in 2018. If you’re not the video type then scroll right on past and look all the pictures and read the content.
Video is something we are trying to do more of in 2018 and, if you chose to watch it, we would love a comment with your thoughts!
GORUCK Constellation 12 Packing List
As mentioned the packing list below is filled with gear that was required at our GORUCK Constellation 12 event in 2018. This wasn’t our first GORUCK Constellation event so we brought some extra goodies which you can find in the individual recommended gear list.
Individual Required Gear
Ruck/Backpack: You’re going to need a backpack. I brought the GORUCK GR1 (review) I use on a daily basis because I figure, if we were in a disaster situation, I’d probably have that backpack with me. My recommendation is to bring what you carry on a daily basis and see how it works for you.
Water: Recommendation here is the Source Hydration 3L bladder. I’ve had great luck with mine and it has lasted dozens of events. At this point I don’t even think I just grab this one and go.
$20 + ID: Bring $20 and your ID… no ID shown but I brought it and it’s required.
Headlamp + Extra Batteries: The Princeton Tec EOS (review) is one of my favorite headlamps. It’s made in the USA, water proof (not just water resistant), and has multiple levels of brightness. The only wish was that it had a red light on it.
Reflective Ruck Bands: GORUCK sells them and so do we. I use the original HVS-V from the first shipment we ever received years ago… it’s still working great so why not continue to use it.
Smart Phone: Bring your smart phone if you have one. No picture for this one.
Contractor Bag: Grab some from a local grocery store… it’s way cheaper than Amazon or other online spots.
Metal Can: Either use one from your pantry the week before the event or grab one at a grocery store. Canned tomatoes and enchilada sauce are pretty cheap and both can be bought in large cans. Clean the inside, peel the label, and you’re good to go.
Duct Tape: Bring a new (or almost new) roll of duct tape. We used over half of my roll at the event and if I had brought a small roll I would have definitely run out.
Improvised Gas Mask or 2 Liter + Dust Mask: If you showed up to Constellation back in 2017 then you most likely made one of these gas masks… you’ll be using it again. If you threw yours away or didn’t go to that event then bring an empty (cleaned) 2 liter and a dust mask so you can make one this time around.
Steel Wool: Grab the #0000 Steel Wool. If you grab a different size it won’t work nearly as well. Amazon or any home improvement store should have some for you.
2 9V Battery: GORUCK says these don’t have to be brand new and that’s true… but they can’t be dead. Test them before you bring them or you might end up borrowing from a friend.
Car Cell Phone Charger + Cable: There’s a chance this will be removed from the packing list but it was on ours. I grabbed my car charger out of my car along with my cable. In addition I brought a battery pack because cell phones can die sometimes.
Paper Clip: Just grabbed one out of the office drawer.
Bic Pen: Actually grabbed some of these from the store and brought extras in case people forgot. You can buy them online but there’s a good chance your local store is cheaper.
Canteen Cup: I wasn’t sure in what condition this would come home in so I went with a cheap GSI Outdoors cup. It’s still usable after the event so if you have one laying around just bring that.
Multi-tool: The most used part of this will be the knife and you’ll be cutting things that aren’t fun. If you have an heirloom pocket knife don’t bring that… bring something that, if it got mangled, you wouldn’t bee too sad about. I have a Leatherman Rev that tagged along for this adventure.
BBQ Lighter: Grab something cheap. Mine didn’t work the greatest but it still worked. You’ll be breaking it in half so that plastic piece you see next to the lighter part threw a wrench in my plans.
Free Tourist Map: Lots of towns have these available to download off their website. just make sure you can see the street names.
Team Required Gear
Small Screwdriver Set: Make sure the set has Philips size 0 and preferably 00 and 000. The one in the picture didn’t work well for me even though it included the screwdrivers that GORUCK recommends.
IR Lamp: I grabbed the one GORUCK recommends and it worked out great. Just note that you won’t be able to see the light with your eyes.
Personal Security Device: These personal security devices are actually pretty cool. You only need one on your team but it’s a little more fun if your team has two or three.
Camera: GORUCK recommends the Kodak PIXPRO FZ43 and so do we. The cadre know how to deal with these and you’ll have a much better chance at success if your team brings this one.
Selfie Stick: Freaking selfie sticks… no recommendation here… just bring one or bring long arms. You’ll need to take pictures with your entire team in them.
Individual Recommended Gear
Food: First off you’re going to want food. The event is 11 – 12 hours long and there’s a good chance you’ll want to eat. I’m pretty boring and just bring protein bars to everything… it’s easier that way. Someone brought a rice roll to ours and ate it at 2 am… I was pretty jealous. Either way, bring some food!
Gloves: I bring Mechanix gloves to all GORUCK events. You never know what you’ll be carrying or touching so better safe than sorry.
Notebook: This is a learning course so bring a notebook to write in. I prefer Field Notes but any notebook will do.
Pen: I like my Fisher 400B pen but any pen will do. If you bought a pack of Bics from the above “Required Individual Gear” then maybe just bring one of those?
Sharpie: You never know when a Sharpie will come in handy.
Jacket: Depending on the weather you’ll probably want a jacket. I brought the GORUCK Challenge Windbreaker but obviously any will do. This isn’t your typical Tough event where you can count on the beat-down keeping you warm. Bring something to keep you warm and dry because there’s a lot of time spent learning outside.
Gear We Didn’t Bring But Wish We Did
No pictures here because we didn’t bring any of this stuff. If we were doing another GORUCK Constellation event following this curriculum I’d bring some fishing line, some paracord, and some 1″ webbing straps… maybe 20 – 30 feet or so. None of that’s necessary to complete GORUCK Constellation but it would have been fun to have.
Conclusion
GORUCK Constellation was an amazing event. It was tough for me to sign up for it because I have an 8 month old daughter and a nearly 4 year old foster son and neither of them sleep through the night. My wife is amazing and took the challenge of handling them both so I could do this event. Although I had some guilt going in (since I was having fun and she was having a *probably* terrible night) the event was well worth it. So glad I registered.
Hopefully this packing list helps you with your gear for an upcoming GORUCK Constellation event. As always if you have any questions just leave a comment and I’ll work to answer them. If you’re curious about the changes made to GORUCK Constellation in 2018 make sure to check out our interview with GORUCK Cadre Mickey who was paramount in forming the new curriculum.
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