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Tips for living in the field...
- Thread starter drew0203
- Start date
Your best bet is probably to ask guys who've done it. Camping, backpacking, or survival books might provide some info, but a lot of that stuff isn't applicable to what we do.
My biggies:
Always have dry clothes to sleep in, even if it means wearing the same stuff during the day for several days.
Pack your gear in ziplocs so it doesn't get wet when it rains
Don't sleep in the lowest spot around, and don't sleep with your head downhill.
Use bug spray with a high concentration of deet if you are in Quantico.
Be wary of surface laid mines. Members of my platoon stepped in people poop more than once.
There are lots of other tips/tricks, but those are some big ones.
My biggies:
Always have dry clothes to sleep in, even if it means wearing the same stuff during the day for several days.
Pack your gear in ziplocs so it doesn't get wet when it rains
Don't sleep in the lowest spot around, and don't sleep with your head downhill.
Use bug spray with a high concentration of deet if you are in Quantico.
Be wary of surface laid mines. Members of my platoon stepped in people poop more than once.
There are lots of other tips/tricks, but those are some big ones.
My counter top.
don't have to worry about sleep if you are going to IOC. there is not much room for that. Won't need to eat much either.
I'm not a false motivator but IOC was some of the most challenging and Fun training I've ever done.
Pack light, note above- sleeping bag is a heavy thing that you will rarely use. Pancho liner is the best piece of gear that is ever made.
New dry socks are like angels from heaven blowing on your feet.
put bug spray on, but it won't work. drink a lot of water.
practice your trigger pull because you shoot Boo ku rounds.
Edit: I think most of IOC is now in 29 palms so you may not need much gear. except canteens and camel packs.
I'm not a false motivator but IOC was some of the most challenging and Fun training I've ever done.
Pack light, note above- sleeping bag is a heavy thing that you will rarely use. Pancho liner is the best piece of gear that is ever made.
New dry socks are like angels from heaven blowing on your feet.
put bug spray on, but it won't work. drink a lot of water.
practice your trigger pull because you shoot Boo ku rounds.
Edit: I think most of IOC is now in 29 palms so you may not need much gear. except canteens and camel packs.
Birdman
Registered User
Yes, I have a bottle of Famous Grouse on my counter top :tongue2_1
I've The Dimple Pinch. Gonna have to try Grouse when the Pinch runs dry...
Successful threadjack???
I think most of IOC is still in Quantico. 2-3 weeks is spent in the stumps right near the end however.
Raptor2216
Registered User
Buy yourself a pancho liner if you aren't issues one. I found myself using the green sleeping bag in combination with the pancho liner during the summer nights spent in the field. I can't say how effective the combo would be for the winter months so you can try it for yourself and find out.
Personally speaking, I hate MRE's and as a result, I found myself taking 2-3 MRE's (minus the main meal) at most to the field. This just comes down to personal preference so you'll have to try it out and see what you prefer. There is no point in hauling all that weight around if you don't need it. Walmart sells this stuff called cajun mix and it really tastes great, so I pretty much lived off of that for a good portion of the time. I also got myself a small bottle of steak sause and used it with my MRE's...it helps the taste.
Most other things just come down to personal preference. If you are willing to haul a lot of weight around then by all means, take everything on the gear list. If you want to pack light and tough it out for a night or two, then do so.
As far as hygene gear goes, there are just a few vital things. If you are in the quantico area, buy yourself the $10 electric shaver they sell at the PX. It works great, its cheap, and prefect for the field. Walmart also sells wet naps, foot powder, toothpaste and mouthwash in "travel" sizes...which just means they are small and easy to carry around. Honestly, this is about all I needed for my days in the field.
So there you go. I'm just telling you what worked for me and i'm sure you'll figure it out when you spend some time in the enchanted forrest.
Personally speaking, I hate MRE's and as a result, I found myself taking 2-3 MRE's (minus the main meal) at most to the field. This just comes down to personal preference so you'll have to try it out and see what you prefer. There is no point in hauling all that weight around if you don't need it. Walmart sells this stuff called cajun mix and it really tastes great, so I pretty much lived off of that for a good portion of the time. I also got myself a small bottle of steak sause and used it with my MRE's...it helps the taste.
Most other things just come down to personal preference. If you are willing to haul a lot of weight around then by all means, take everything on the gear list. If you want to pack light and tough it out for a night or two, then do so.
As far as hygene gear goes, there are just a few vital things. If you are in the quantico area, buy yourself the $10 electric shaver they sell at the PX. It works great, its cheap, and prefect for the field. Walmart also sells wet naps, foot powder, toothpaste and mouthwash in "travel" sizes...which just means they are small and easy to carry around. Honestly, this is about all I needed for my days in the field.
So there you go. I'm just telling you what worked for me and i'm sure you'll figure it out when you spend some time in the enchanted forrest.
Maybe not IOC friendly but here are a few things I learned as a FAC. disclaimer-I had a Humvee.
-shampoo yes shampoo a bottle of water and shampoo = clean hair and happy Marine
-wash cloth you can do a quick clean up with jsut a wash cloth and towel again you will feel worlds better
-****can the iso mat and get a thermorest self inflating pad, they make them in the same color as the iso mat-just as much insolation more comfort.
-second the electric razor but be careful, cammy paint gums them up badly
-baby wipes are huge as is Godl bond powder.
-ziploc bags, ziploc everthing in your pack you'll be glad you did.
-squad stove-they are issued nothing enhances morale like a nice cup of french pressed coffee in the morning.
-hand sanitizer will keep you much healthier if you use it before eating
-shampoo yes shampoo a bottle of water and shampoo = clean hair and happy Marine
-wash cloth you can do a quick clean up with jsut a wash cloth and towel again you will feel worlds better
-****can the iso mat and get a thermorest self inflating pad, they make them in the same color as the iso mat-just as much insolation more comfort.
-second the electric razor but be careful, cammy paint gums them up badly
-baby wipes are huge as is Godl bond powder.
-ziploc bags, ziploc everthing in your pack you'll be glad you did.
-squad stove-they are issued nothing enhances morale like a nice cup of french pressed coffee in the morning.
-hand sanitizer will keep you much healthier if you use it before eating
not a marine, but during my government sponsored camping trip in maine a cup of MRE coffee did wonders for making my day, if i had had a french press i would have been loving life.