Enjoyed reading this thread... not in the military... but want to thank all of you for your service!
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While i'm sure my experiences in boot camp were similar to others here, I found that operations in the arctic were where one really had to get creative. On a trip to Hall Beach Nunavut about 12 years ago, for some reason they still wanted us clean shaven every other day. In an arctic tent environment where space is extremely limited (10 people to a bell tent) and all of your water comes from melting ice blocks on a Coleman Stove, as you can imagine hot water is a hot commodity. Every man was more or less limited to approx 1.5 pints of water for ablutions using a wash basin. In order to maximize your water, you first brushed your teeth with it, then washed your face, hands and body with it second, and then lastly shaved with it. By the time you shaved with it, it was thick and cold. That my friends, builds character
While i'm sure my experiences in boot camp were similar to others here, I found that operations in the arctic were where one really had to get creative. On a trip to Hall Beach Nunavut about 12 years ago, for some reason they still wanted us clean shaven every other day. In an arctic tent environment where space is extremely limited (10 people to a bell tent) and all of your water comes from melting ice blocks on a Coleman Stove, as you can imagine hot water is a hot commodity. Every man was more or less limited to approx 1.5 pints of water for ablutions using a wash basin. In order to maximize your water, you first brushed your teeth with it, then washed your face, hands and body with it second, and then lastly shaved with it. By the time you shaved with it, it was thick and cold. That my friends, builds character
1960 U. S. Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. In formation at dawn dry shaved with a nickel Gillette Tech; Didn't take long and passed inspection. It was my first DE shave!
That my friends, builds character
+1I don't miss those days.
They won't let you have a de in basic. They are afraid you will try and hurt yourself...
LOL yet they let you play with a M-4.