Backpack contents?

[jawk2 1]

for food... i m french, so i ll say nothing (some Rgt friend did the gulf war and it's rumored that our fields food exchanged for 1 to 8 US ration)... keep yours.

And if u want to know the paper inside the field ration there's some paper for hand inside( who ll use them for hands? ), and if a soldier want to have extra-food he can just go in the supermaket since it's the same (search the 'Findus' (name of the compagny that do it) ).The outside of the ration can be use for lighting fire:

they have done the field ration that everything is useful.

Yeah our weapon suck alot (i used FRF1 and famas & 9mmpistol), but we won the wars with our food

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (jawk @ April 15 2002,13:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yeah our weapon suck alot (i used FRF1 and famas & 9mmpistol), but we won the wars with our food <span id='postcolor'>

I thought that using gases in combat was strictly forbidden by the Geneva convention

[Tydium 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">

for food... i m french, so i ll say nothing (some Rgt friend did the gulf war and it's rumored that our fields food exchanged for 1 to 8 US ration)... keep yours.

<span id='postcolor'>

Well what comes to the field rations in Finnish Army they are very good. But as I explained in my previous post the food usually comes from the field kitchen. The ration is very large. It's ment for one day but there is no way you could eat it in one day. It usually takes two days to eat one. But the problem is that they aren't issued very often.

[Oligo 1]

It doesn't take long to learn that all the shit comes from the army and all the good stuff you have to get yourself. Don't expect them to give you any candy or porn or such things to ease your existence in the field.

Makes you wonder why at least some money is not used to uplift the morale of the troops. Oh, I remember, they do spend money on 'uplifting' the morale, but those things they organize usually suck even more than existence without.

Man, they should have Military Issue candy, porn, toilet paper, etc.

[Longinius 1]

"Man, they should have Military Issue candy, porn, toilet paper, etc."

No way man...you know how the military can destroy something that is perfectly...perfect...when they get their hands on it. I have tasted military issue candy... I dont even want to think about military issue toilet paper. I also have a pretty good idea about how military issue, politically correct, porn would look like ;/

[R. Gerschwarzenge 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Oligo @ April 15 2002,15:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Man, they should have Military Issue candy, porn, toilet paper, etc. <span id='postcolor'>

They should make a candybar with pornographic images on the wrapper (the wrapper can be used as toilet paper, of course).

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Oligo @ April 15 2002,14:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Oh, I remember, they do spend money on 'uplifting' the morale, but those things they organize usually suck even more than existence without.<span id='postcolor'>

Lieutenant [to captain]: The troops are complaining about the lack of toilet paper.

Captain [to colonel]: The boys are complaining, I think that the morale is getting low.

Colonel [to captain]: Well, the boys *have* been looking a bit sad lately. Let's do something to cheer them up. Let's organize a parade!

Captain [to lieutenant]: We are having a parade next week, see to it that the troops are ready! [thinking: Great! I can try out the new uniform I got. I wonder if I can get the band to play the colonels favourite music?]

Lieutenant [to captain]: Yes sir! I'll get them ready [thinking: groan]

Lieutenant [to private]: Parade next week. General inspection tomorrow. The Colonel himself is going to supervise. Execute order!

Private [to lieutenant]: Yessir! [thinking: must control myself, must not kill colonel]

[Hilandor 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (IceFire @ April 14 2002,11:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And why would shaving be required? Why in the world does it matter how you look in combat? Same thing could be said for brushing your teeth too, I guess.

SHAVING CREAM? Why do I find that hard to believe? Please tell me it has other functions other than for actually shaving!!

Honestly I am not yet in the military, and I never use shaving cream just because I think it is a hassle to carry to the bathroom and I don't really see any use for it.

I just use water, and a sharp razor. I have even done it dry, but that takes some getting used to. OUCH.<span id='postcolor'>

well in the Uk shaving foam is part of the inspection kit whether it be used or not, and i used to always take two, one i used and one i never touched cos trying to stop that thing oozing (shaving gel is worse) for inspection was a nightmare, and damn if u shave with water only, then i can only imagine ur young and yet to fully establish growth

shaving is a must in the army for wearing ur respirator, if u have growth then the seal cannot be tight against ur skin, having a moustache is ok although permission has to be asked for growing one in the UK if u joined up without one ( pressumably because it looks untidy until its fully grown).

Andy hygeine is extremely important in the army, last thing a country needs is its minging soldiers catching "crotch rot" and other horrible aviodable diseases. I would also imagine that a stinking soldier may very well give his position away to the enemy cos his stench and dogs trying to sniff his nuts

lol

i think a true thing has to be said about army training etc and all the bullshit that goes with it, u actually do learn something from it, so its done for a reason.

[Oligo 1]

I just remembered that when I went to the army, they gave us a small, green (of course), plastic container with a single condom in it. On the container it was printed: "Lataa ja varmista!" which means something like "Load you weapon and turn on the safety catch." I think the english equivalent is "Lock and load!", if I am not mistaken. Anyway, it was hilarious as hell. I guess they were 'concerned' about us, wanting to make sure we don't get any VDs if we actually managed to score some poontang during leave.

I'm surprised the container didn't have a camo pattern.

[Longinius 1]

The swedish equivelant has a camouflage plastic wrapping. It is called "Kommando" (I think, long time ago). Which is a pun, partly the term "Commando" and the swedish expression "Kom an dĺ!" which means "Come on" / "Lets get it on".

[suchey 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Espectro @ April 14 2002,17:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ya, im curious too... whats a "log of copenhagen"?<span id='postcolor'>

Copenhagen is chewing tobacco....a "log" is a slang term for a quantity of the tobacco tins wrapped end to end to resemble a log...its the rough equivalent to a "Carton" of cigarettes.

[USSoldier11B 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yeah our weapon suck alot (i used FRF1 and famas & 9mmpistol), but we won the wars with our food <span id='postcolor'>

I've heard that french field ratios are awesome. I think ours suck so much because they have to make so many of them.

Well, it lloks like other people have answered all the questions pretty well. Here are some that they missed.

Strobe: Exactly that, a strobe light used as a distress signal to mark your location to aircraft.

Chem Lights: Used to mark your position while you are asleep so you don't get ran over by a tank. Also has many other uses. Good for breaking open and flinging contents in neibors back yard at night. Looks freaky.

Field Sanitation: Extremely important to try to stay clean in the field, prevents infections etc. Improves moral, makes it bearable to smell yourself. I personally hate shaving in the field, but they make us.

Foot powder: put it in socks. Keeps feet dry, thus prevents "trench foot" or "jungle rot". Prevents chaffing.

Gold Bond powder is the best because it contains an analgesic. A little on the balls soothes chaffing as well.

Motrin: You will be in pain after humping long distances.

Tincture of Benzoine: Nasty red shit that you put on your feet. It will instantly turn the raw skin under a popped blister into a callus. It also drys out the skin on the boytom of your feet making it thicker and tougher.

Camelbak: A brand name of a hydration system that has a hose with a bite valve so you con drink hands free. Now is U.S. Army standard issue equipment. Best invention for grunt ever.

Snickers Bars: King size snickers bars have 900 calories a piece. That is alot of calories for such a small item. Yes you get sick of the taste of the preservatives in rations. It is a nice change. Snickers bars are quick calories that go right into your blood stream. Power bars work equally as well. Ramen noodles is also another commonly carried item.

[ran 0]

the french field rations are good .... no more , normal french food ......

i've never tried US or british field rations , but after the descriptions you've done ........ i think that the french ones are good

i've never operated far from my base , we didn't have to take all the stuffs you talked about , but we took our ustensils (i was in an engineer regiment , i remember that i was carrying a shovel and some other things like it , a small chop , a shear , some samll tools like cisors , screwdrivers , hammers and my swiss knife) in a backpack , it was really heavy

i remember , i've always taken a TP roller in my buttpack , and some cereal bars

the further i've been from my base was 10km and never more than 10 hours

i had the same items in combat situation + two ammo pouches and two smoke grenades

it wasn't really reglementary but our squad leader was cool ...

[nordin dk 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Suchey @ April 15 2002,16:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Espectro @ April 14 2002,17:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ya, im curious too... whats a "log of copenhagen"?<span id='postcolor'>

Copenhagen is chewing tobacco....a "log" is a slang term for a quantity of the tobacco tins wrapped end to end to resemble a log...its the rough equivalent to a "Carton" of cigarettes.<span id='postcolor'>

This is ironic since chewing tobacco is illegal in Denmark.

[IceFire 0]

Wow, I never thought it was so disorganized.

I thought they had classes that trained you in certain skills, ie, like outdoors survival, making you eat weird things, what to eat, how to identify certain species, how to construct traps, how to construct your own weapons if you run out of ammo, like spears and bows and arrows, how to tell the time with the sun, etc etc ..   They actually don't teach you this??

Wouln't all this be useful on missions?

I am amazed that they make you learn the stuff on your own.

Denoir, did your wetsuite have a chamber in the rear area that the waste would be jumped into??  Like one that the opening could be opened by pulling a cord or something?

I mean, they can't just expect you to go like that in your underwear!!

And yeah,  I am 20, need to shave every morning or it gets real thick by noon.  And I do not use cream.  Would they allow that in the military, I mean it would reduce weight, and make room for more important things like, grenades or something.

Oh and USSOLDIER, wouln't using the chemlights for that be kinda make it easy for enemies to find you in your sleep?

I mean if you can use them to make sure that friendly tanks don't crush you, then I think that enemy infantry should be able to see you that way too.

[Erex 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I thought they had classes that trained you in certain skills, ie, like outdoors survival, making you eat weird things, what to eat, how to identify certain species, how to construct traps, how to construct your own weapons if you run out of ammo, like spears and bows and arrows, how to tell the time with the sun, etc etc ..   They actually don't teach you this??

Wouln't all this be useful on missions?

I am amazed that they make you learn the stuff on your own.

<span id='postcolor'>

Even the biggest army dont have so much skilled instructors to teach every neewbie. So here is expected thath you learn a lot on basic training (best way to learn somethnig is by "discovering" it on you own) and there gain somethnig from "veterans". You have too your sergeant and here is somethng like a father for his mesn. He overwatch them and take care for them but he offen "disturb" you with orders  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And yeah,  I am 20, need to shave every morning or it gets real thick by noon.  And I do not use cream.  Would they allow that in the military, I mean it would reduce weight, and make room for more important things like, grenades or something.

<span id='postcolor'>

Shaving is really important for NBC protection (gasmask cannot well fit on unshaved face (as already said here zilliontimes :-)

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Oh and USSOLDIER, wouln't using the chemlights for that be kinda make it easy for enemies to find you in your sleep?

I mean if you can use them to make sure that friendly tanks don't crush you, then I think that enemy infantry should be able to see you that way too.

<span id='postcolor'>

Army have somethnig like chmeicl light holder. Imagine tube with one long hole (vertical) so is it "one side opened". You put this somewhere over you foxhole (tent/OP anthing you wish ) and directing with this hole into your ear. So friendly unit can easily see the light but enemies cannot.  

At least we use this in our army :-)

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (IceFire @ April 15 2002,23:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Denoir, did your wetsuite have a chamber in the rear area that the waste would be jumped into??  Like one that the opening could be opened by pulling a cord or something?<span id='postcolor'>

Nope. As I said, the suits were entirely sealed so that nothing that could reveal the position of the diver could escape it. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of the diving gear, since we weren't allowed to photograph it (the design is classified). Now, this isn't a very good picture to show off the gear, but you'll get the general picture. I hope it also answers your question on why we couldn't take it off underwater to crap:

Now, on the picture is the light version of our gear. You could dive up to 10 hours in this one on a maximum depth of 10 meters.

[IceFire 0]

I think you misenterpreted my question. I did not ask if they had an "opening mechanism". I mean, did it had maybe some sack or bag or chamber within the suit that you could defacate into. That would be seperate from the inside of your suit.

If not, then yuck.

I will make sure to go directly before the dive. And not to eat too much beforehand, which leads me to my next question.

How do you eat and drink underwater? I am sure it can be done, with some sort of specialized liquid food. I dunno.

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (IceFire @ April 16 2002,00:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I think you misenterpreted my question.  I did not ask if they had an "opening mechanism".  I mean, did it had maybe some sack or bag or chamber within the suit that you could defacate into.  That would be seperate from the inside of your suit.

If not, then yuck.<span id='postcolor'>

Yuck it was.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">

I will make sure to go directly before the dive. And not to eat too much beforehand, which leads me to my next question.

<span id='postcolor'>

Yes, and never eat cereals or anything with a lot of crabon hydrates - it swells up and you feel sick. Puking in a closed wet suite is a big no-no (you can suffocate or suffer from aeroembolism (if you panic and surface too quickly)).

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">How do you eat and drink underwater? I am sure it can be done, with some sort of specialized liquid food. I dunno.<span id='postcolor'>

Food isn't neccessary. We had a compartment in the suite for fresh water and a mechanism (basically a balloon that you squeezed) for drinking it. We used it very seldom.

You see, a regular dive is no more then 2-3 hours, so you don't really need it. We only had two training excersises that lasted for 10-15 hours - and then we had a water supply. It was only on those that taking a dump became a problem.

Except for that, diving was the best part of the basic training. When you are on land you have to follow stupid orders and to physical excersises. When you are under water, you are on your own and out of reach

[USSoldier11B 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Army have somethnig like chmeicl light holder. Imagine tube with one long hole (vertical) so is it "one side opened". You put this somewhere over you foxhole (tent/OP anthing you wish ) and directing with this hole into your ear. So friendly unit can easily see the light but enemies cannot.

At least we use this in our army <span id='postcolor'>

Same in U.S. Army.

Also enemy not likely to be around if there is armor lurking nearby. In training excercizes safety often overrides things that would be tactically pratical in combat.

[Pukko 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ April 16 2002,00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of the diving gear, since we weren't allowed to photograph it (the design is classified).<span id='postcolor'>

Scary picture above on you 'attack dykare' guys

Is most of your diving gear Swedish made, or do SEAL (if they are your US equivalent) and others use similar stuff (maybe a stupid question considering you wrote that the gear is classified, and therefore unique)?

Also, I dont see any god old 'k-pist' on the picture which I have heard that you use since it works good under water. Now I made my military service as a 'Viggen' mechanic in the Swedish airforce (using k-pist only) and therefore dont know much about general Swedish assault rifles (AK4, AK5?) and machineguns (KSP 58, 90?), but I suppose that the guys on that picture carries some of those. Can you fire, or even bring them unprotected, under water? Or do you use some kind of waterproof protection for them on missions where you are supposed to engage at land?

Instead of asking more specified questions; what, and how, do you bring other kinds of 'land euipment' when on short respective long time land missions, inserted by diving?

I dont think I have much equipment info myself (except maybe our mobile 'klargörings' (aircraft rearm, refuel etc) equipment), but could tell you some what JA37 Viggen pilots can bring with them. Well not exactly what, but how . A short distance behind the nose gear there is a little space where one can strap a small briefcase on top of a removable plate (takes some time to do it though), and thats about it! They dont have much need of field equipment though

A mobile 'klargöring' (rearm & refuel etc.) takes about 7 minutes and can be perfomed on quite ordinary roadstrips.

[Longinius 1]

"Also, I dont see any god old 'k-pist' on the picture which I have heard that you use since it works good under water. Now I made my military service as a 'Viggen' mechanic in the Swedish airforce (using k-pist only) and therefore dont know much about general Swedish assault rifles (AK4, AK5?) and machineguns (KSP 58, 90?), but I suppose that the guys on that picture carries some of those. Can you fire, or even bring them unprotected, under water? Or do you use some kind of waterproof protection for them on missions where you are supposed to engage at land?"

I see two AK-5's and one KSP. Diving with the 58 seems to me to be quite rough, so I guess its a KSP90.

As for weapons and underwater... Aslong as you dont fire it underwater and its properly treated I dont think its a big problem. As I understand it, most weapons are more likely to jam if they get wet (depending on weapons some could even "break").

[Longinius 1]

"I thought they had classes that trained you in certain skills, ie, like outdoors survival, making you eat weird things, what to eat, how to identify certain species, how to construct traps, how to construct your own weapons if you run out of ammo, like spears and bows and arrows, how to tell the time with the sun, etc etc .. They actually don't teach you this??

Wouln't all this be useful on missions?"

Some get taught this, but it is far from standard.

"I am amazed that they make you learn the stuff on your own."

Most of the time they just give you the tool to learn and then you have to figure it out for yourself.

"I mean, they can't just expect you to go like that in your underwear!!"

Yes they can. How do you think snipers do it when they are laying in wait?

[IceFire 0]

Now I honestly don't think that snipers actually go in their pants when they are laying there. They must do something special. I can understand having no choice and going in your pants if you have no other choice. But a I don't think snipers just go in their pants whenver they need to relieve themselves.

Personally I think that doing that would lower morale alot more than not brushing your teeth.

[Supah 0]

The Average Dutch students backpack:

- Books .... loads of em

- My psion anoying computer thing, Designed to fuck up.

- My Paycard for the cafeteria.

- My TEM-NHL (a student group, mainly organizes parties and gatherings for those with no friends of their own. The card does get you7 discounts on beer in some bars) card.

- Cellphone

- A book to read when the guest speaker surges into another recruitment monologue while he was invited to talk about some tool and its merrits but decides to talk about how great his company is. BAH BAH LOST BOYS INTERNATIONAL i really DISLIKE that, guess who founder bored me to death last friday Thank god for weis and hickman

- My OV-card (bassically if you see any form of public transport in the netherlands, this baby will let you ride it for free.)

- Optional, Tampax or something when female.

Thats about it