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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Baby wipes, 550 cord, 100mph tape, coffee and hard candies. Not to mention the ever-useful woobie (poncho liner).
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Suspended Profile
I will take gortex shell over woobie any day...
COL (Join to see)
I agree with the gortex for general use, rain, work, etc., but prefer the woobie for sleeping if I don't have a sleeping bag. The woobie can also be used for shade, etc. on a hot day.
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Gallon sized or next size bigger zip lock bags, if done right you can get a duty uniform (socks, shirt, uniform top and pants) in one of them. Water proof your gear and get a portable shower system by punching holes in the bag when needed.
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MSG Jan Glock
I learned this one early on in the 82nd infantry. Although I only put socks, t-shirt and underwear in each zip-lok, and uniform shirt and pants each in a separate zip-lok as well. Works for a book too. Keeps everything dry and your ruck will float easily if you need it to! I used dry-sacks for cell phone, cigarettes, etc. Poncho, poncho liner, "space blanket(s)", and field jacket liner round out a lightweight just-in-case comfort load. Don't forget Ramon noodles and baby wipes as many have said. Lots of tried and true hacks here by many experienced folks!
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SSG David Kidd
I always carried peanut butter. You can burn it and have pretty good fire and you can eat it when you need a little extra.
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And an extra carton of chew/cigarettes. For they guys who don't plan accordingly. As a junior enlisted I could at least break even because everyone showed up with cash because they knew I brought extra. And IOU's got handled (if I allowed) as soon as we got back to the flag pole.
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light infantry how can the military use that term in good faith the average grunt carries so much useless shit when I was a kid watching army movies it looked pretty easy
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SSG (Join to see)
I am convinced the term Light Infantry was coined as a humorous oxymoron. I live by the term "pack light, freeze at night".
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In cold weather used a candle in a can to take off some of the chill in shelter half ( made sure I had 2, for a complete shelter) and took along some pogy bait for extra energy.
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I built a Solar power Generator. 2 Solar panels 2 12V Deep cycle marine batteries, a 10 amp solar power controller and a 1400 Watt DC to AC power converter. Kept my entire sections personal electronics powered the entire time we where in the field!
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Baby wipes, no more P-38 but a sharp knife to open MRE's, weapons cleaning kit, Leatherman knife or similar knife, a good book, flashlight and batteries and TP.
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CPL Brendan Hayes
CPT Pedro Meza There needs to be some common sense in those confiscations. I'm sure you could find another if you wanted.
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CPT Pedro Meza
CPL Brendan Hayes - Hard to replace the many years of memories with that P-38, hell it out lived three marriages. It was faithful, never said I can't, went with me no matter the danger, and always hung close to my heart with out hurting me.
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CPL Brendan Hayes
CPT Pedro Meza it is tough to find something/one as true and dedicated as a good P-38. You have my sympathies.
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CPT Pedro Meza
CPL Brendan Hayes - Did I mention my P-38 never said "you can't eat", it always was available to open a meals, it also helped me adjust a carburetors or two, three four; it got me dates.
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