Posted on Feb 22, 2016
What are your best tried and true life hacks for the field?
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We're talking field craft here. The things you do, pack, or create to make life in the field just a little better. No matter how simple or complex. Let's hear it.
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11B: Infantryman
11B: Infantryman
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 78
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Waterproof your stuff, with the bag opening facing downward. That way, when you inevitably have to drop your ruck in a puddle or have to ford a stream, the water drains out rather than sit in the bottom of your bag.
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No kidding, I buy a case of baby wipes and put a pack of them under every drivers seat in our hmmwvs, first day people are like wtf, after a week of no showering, they're calling me a god! I also stop at Walmart and buy multipacks of socks. When people start getting soggy they get a fresh pair of socks. It's a huge morale booster. I must have my knife, my sharpener, 550 cord and my woobie. I also take a water bottle and punch a series of holes in the lid. Boom instant shower.
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Saving the mre napkins and the moist towelettes to occasionally take a whore bath or at least to keep my hands somewhat clean.
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Let's not forget the family size pack of baby wipes. I call it the prostitute bath.
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COL (Join to see)
Ahh, but SPC Henry, it's for that one time you DO need it and didn't bring it because you "never needed it before" that you'll wish you had it. It's always best to be prepared with essentials that will help you keep going. Have you ever tried to keep moving with torn up feet? I've seen those who have and it's not a pretty sight, and it also impacts others who have to help carry the load, both literally and figuratively, because someone else failed to prepare. Moleskin isn't a "magic pill" to cure all maladies by any means, but it sure helps!
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SFC David Combes
We would take the mole skin and put it on the bottom side of our e-tool. That way when you went to take a deuce you would slide the e-tool under one cheek and there you go.
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Try Ranger Rick Tscherne's "The Ranger" Digests I-IX. A lot of the tips, tricks, and ideas still have relevance even though the last digest was written in the late 90s. Many ideas came from contributors who wanted others to benefit from field tested techniques and Army philosophy. You may have to look a bit to dig up the whole series at this point. Rick retired to Italy and is still involved with the ex-pat community there.
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Hands down #1 thing that will forever be packed for the field... MY WOOBIE. Other essentials include, more dip than you need (if you chew a can a day, bring enough for two cans a day. Always account for the moochers), poncho, 550 cord, hatchet, knife and sharpener, plenty of gallon size ziplock bags (don't go cheap here). Good TP. Tons of socks.
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i have used garlic pills for sleeping in the woods because flying insects dont like the scent that your pores give off. sunflower seeds. 550 cord, 100mph tape, ziploc bags ..Polypros ..wet weather bags .. quited liner for field jackets
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I always made sure my ruck was loaded the same way every time. At night, I never had a problem finding anything. Use/store clothing in gallon-sized ziploc bags, bring extra 550, motrin, bungee cords, and batteries.
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