Yesterday’s post about Marine Corps cold weather training triggered more memories. The main cold weather camp consisted of semi-permanent squad tents designed to accommodate 12 Marines. They were heated with oil burners and had wood slat floors. The showers were also in a tent and they floor in the dressing room was often icy. When we were out on maneuvers we slept in one-man pup tents.
In my youth on the farm we had ‘a path instead of a bath’. The path led to a two hole outdoor toilet. The cold weather camp toilet was similar but much larger, also in a tent. That tent sported a 12 holer, naturally without dividing curtains. Once a week a Marine would pour a jerry can of fuel oil down a hole and ignite it to burn the paper. That is, until a Marine mistakenly poured five gallons of gasoline instead of fuel oil. The resulting explosion blew up the tent. Fortunately the perpetrator lived to tell about it.
The dining hall was open air. There was a tent roof over the cooking facilities. Marines stood at chest high shelves outside eating their meals. The food was served into the metal mess kits that was part of everyone’s gear. Yes, we were living the good life!
Takk for alt,
Al
A snowy day at the OFH.
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