The Fodder is Always Tastier on the Other Side

Submitted by Eric Daniel

A couple months ago I remember seeing a story about Gordon Ramsay helping the British MoD develop a cookbook for use by military cooks in the field (by way of explanation British soldiers are issued either individual 24 hour rations (when they’re on the go) or squad sized, ten-man 24-hour rations (for when they‘re not.).  Unlike American T rats, with the ten man rations there’s some actual cooking involved.)

This got me to thinking about all the informal MRE recipes we came up with or passed around, as well as experimenting with foreign rations when we trained with other countries (for the life of me I’ll never understand how the French can call dry toast and coffee “breakfast“.)  Even now, I look back fondly upon the tinned “indische kip” (curried chicken) I picked up from the Dutch CAT team in 1991 (it was probably the best tasting “field” food I’d ever had, but absolutely had to be eaten warm, otherwise it was just scary) and German black bread and butter was always good in the morning (in addition to the regular mermite delivered green eggs and ham of course.)

Since then, food in the field has gotten real complicated.  It seems that every 6 months they're coming out with a new ration which is better than the last (last I heard, the Army was fielding an "assault" ration for use during the first 72 hours of combat.  What are you supposed to do if you end up fighting longer than 72 hours, wait for different issue?)

I’ve a trip to the Ukraine coming up, and I’m thinking this might be a good opportunity to take along a couple MREs and see if I can’t do any trading with the locals (not sure yet if we’re bringing our own snacks yet or eating on the economy as it were.)  With all the multinational action going on, especially in Afghanistan, anyone try anything noteworthy?

Mustering for Grog

Submitted by Eric Daniel

Way back a long time ago, while I was tanking with the Washington National Guard, my unit had a Dining In following our annual training.  What made this event memorable was the fact that there was a representative from our “sister” armoured recce unit from Canada, and he brought with him something I’d never seen before -  1.5 liters of government issue 151 proof ration rum.  As the Sergeant explained, the Canadian government authorized the issuance of a rum ration to soldiers in the field for a period of 30 days or more.  Now, I know the Royal Navy used to issue rum to its sailors up through 1970, and I know there’s at least one German fallschirmjäger company out there with a bar in the basement (run by the First Sergeant) but this was the first I’d ever heard of government issuing honest to god alcohol to its joes.

Needless to say, that bottle was tipped into the grog to the detriment and enjoyment of all.  This was all ten years ago and I’m curious if this is still the case; while I can remember drinking beer in the unit run canteen when I was in the field at Graf, I haven’t seen beer in the field in ages and I know it’s expressly forbidden to American soldiers now, but I was curious if the Canadians still issued rum (or if any one else has a similar program) or has this tradition also died on the altar of political correctness?

The Parahooch and the Assault Shelter

 
Submitted by Doug

Another couple of options for tactical shelters include: the Parahooch and Tipis from Kifaru and the camping outfitter Sierra Designs which makes shelters, bivy bags and sleeping bags.

ED – Doug, interesting gear here.  As a completely minimalist approach, the Parahooch looks like a winner, since it’s extremely lightweight (11 oz. without the optional pole kit) and freestanding (you don’t have to tie it off on a tree or “something”) and appears to be less complicated than the tarptent design.  The “hooch” is made of UV resistant and waterproof paraglider fabric and is available in two colors; white and coyote brown.

The Sierra Designs solo assault shelter (which is said to be an issue item for the Navy SEALS) looks like a good all around choice as well.  Though heavier than the parahooch by almost 3 pounds (packed weight is 4 lb. 6 oz.) the assault shelter is also a stand alone tent.  You do not have to stake it to anything in order for it to work (with the tarptents, at a minimum, you have to be able to stake the corners to the ground, which would limit it’s utility in sandy or soft soil situations where the ground wasn’t firm enough to hold the stakes, or in snow.)  The assault shelter is similar in design to the ICS except that it is of a single wall design (there is no rain fly, which saves on weight) though it also comes with an attached “lean to” type vestibule over the main “door” which can be staked down, tied off on a tree branch, or connected to another assault shelter to increase covered area.

Improved Combat Shelter

 

Submitted by Sean Gilday

The Army issues a Combat Shelter half ICS (Improved Combat Shelter NSN: 8340-01-521-6438) in the ACU pattern that’s damn good. The NYARNG gets them to all the snuffies. Before that the same shelter was available  Woodland. It was made by Catoma for one.

It has a floor, rain fly, and insect netting and can fit your ruck and weapon all comfortably inside.

ED – Sean, good call.  I tried to look up the ICS with the NSN that you provided and I could only find one civilian supplier.  I also looked at Catoma, and while they do offer a number of interesting military shelter options (most under 6 pounds in weight) the ICS was not among them.

Some notes on the ICS. The shelter itself is made from flame resistant rip-stop nylon and comes with a detachable waterproof rainfly suitable for three season use which also provides a vestibule for gear storage.  The fly can also be erected as a stand alone item without the tent.

Check out the ICS here.