About GORUCK

The Rucking Company

We build the best, toughest rucking gear to equip the rucking revolution — we force multiply through training, Events, and GORUCK Clubs that empower real world communities in service to something greater than themselves.

Service is a Way of Life
Our Story

In 2008, while I was in Special Forces and Emily was in the CIA, we started GORUCK out of her house in war-torn West Africa. The goal was pretty simple: build a rucksack with life or death quality standards that would thrive in Baghdad and NYC, not to mention Côte d’Ivoire — and show people of all walks of life how to operate smartly and safely in some of the harshest environments in the world (using said rucksack). How to travel, how to train, how to get the most out of a life where adventure calls and tomorrow is never promised.

We didn’t have a business plan and we weren’t willing to compromise on basically anything, so this little project called GORUCK cost us almost everything we had. But sometimes you have to put all your chips on the table and say come what may. What we found (with no time to spare) was a like-minded community of people who proudly proclaim that the easy life is not for us.

When you’ve survived the things that we have, and your inspiration in life becomes normal people doing extraordinary things, what you realize is that you don’t owe less — you owe more. Service is a way of life and that’s our northern star and we’re grateful to the community for the support. We would not exist without you — nor would we want to. So thank you.

— Jason & Emily McCarthy

Special Forces Roots

I enlisted in the US Army after 9/11, because of 9/11. I’m a better person because I went to war, because I served in Special Forces, because of the guys to my left and right who expected and demanded more of me than I knew I had. It’s not the revenge I sought after 9/11 that has endured, it’s the love in my heart for those I served beside. If there’s a nobler way to live a life than in service to others, I’ve not yet seen it.

— Jason McCarthy
10th Special Forces Group, 2006-08

Glorious Professionals Podcast

A podcast about leadership, service, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

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How Not to Start a Backpack Company

The debut book from Jason McCarthy, founder of GORUCK.

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10,000+ Since 2010

GORUCK Events

Rucking events led by current and former Special Forces combat veterans. We're building teams and empowering individuals from all walks to lead active, engaged lives.

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