To BTDT's

[papasmerf]

I have a question to those who have been in the field. How the hell do you stand without showering for days? I'm wondering because I was thinking about a SpecOps unit being dropped behind enemy lines for recce mission or whatever for long long weeks. I'll tell you right now I'm going nuts if I don't shower for more then 5 days, everything is just itching and you always want to scratch yourself and it really sucks lol So, if you've done something like that, how did you put up with it?

[Jack Mehoff]

baby wipes to clean your balls. That's it

Oh yeah, and brush your teeth or you will be in a world of hurtin'

[Scrim]

After about 5 days you get used to living in your own filth. I always hated taking a shower in the field, because then you are clean, and get to be uncomfartable again for a few days until you get used to being filthy again.(make sense?)
Jacks right though, baby wipes are a God-send.

[Jack Mehoff]

Longest time i never take a bath/shower was 33 days :lol:

[papasmerf]

Longest time i never take a bath/shower was 33 days :lol:

33?! :bash: Share your experience with us :] What were you doing that you couldn't shower for over a month?

[Ratamacue]

When my uncle was stationed in West Germany during the 70's, he basically said that you either get used to it or go crazy. He said that during the winter, he and a couple buds eventually resorted to bathing in a freezing cold stream rather than go on without.

[Argyll]

How much "cheese" did you have under yer foreskin for that length of time Jack?
In NI we used to go out for anything between 3-7 day patrols,no washing/shaving or nothing,no babywipes either as they have a smell that can be detected!
Longest I spent in the cuds was 14 days,stank from the high heavens,but then again so did the other guys,worst thing for me was not being able to clean my teeth properly.During that 14 days we had to have dead letterbox resupply,and the guys back at camp would send out the worst Rations imagineable just to piss you off,but you always got payback!!

[ibstolidude]

almost 5 months using buckets and a homemade shower like bucket device... but we certainly had water and a means to get clean, just not a shower or bath; and the time/safety to do so.

The stupid thing was we had an aussie shower packed but it was left behind...we didn't think we would be there that long....doh! It sure was doing alot of good sitting in our ISU. We requested it, then when people heard we had one, it was bogarted!


I am disgusting...when you start going on longer mission you really don't notice the stink...or the dirt...I get lazy...the only thing I am FANATICAL about is socks...I must have clean sock after 2-3days in car 1 day walking. If they get too funky I'd rather just wear my boots w/out them. I also don't bother with deoderant..or any thing smell good it brings bugs and fleas. (or so I believe) I like to use a perscriptoin flouride toothpaste for the higher flouride. AndI will wash my hands/face frequently but body? it's just funk..it will wash off later.

bathed in an ice factory once when it was raging hot. nice cool STANK water. funny you felt like you could have hypothermia starting but it was hot enough for heat stroke out of the water. Pretty neat.

[James]

As mentioned - baby wipes. For your junk. Brushing your teeth does wonders as well. Other than that, you just get used to it.

[Flagg]

no babywipes either as they have a smell that can be detected!

I found some babywipes that don't stink(not alcohol based, some other odorless chemical cleaner) and have been OK'd for use.....I just checked my webbing/belt kit...no dice...I used up my last two containers on Ex in December so I can't remember the brand name....the only thing I remember was that they were made and imported from Israel.

They work pretty good though....great for cleaning the bits and pieces and also useful for disinfecting mess kit....no Baghdad Bum for this infanteer.

[digrar]

We used to come back manky from patrol, just in time for the cooked breakfast back in the safe area. We never had a problem getting a table, no one wanted to be anywhere near us. :D
After a couple of days you don't notice yourself or your mates but when you clean your gonk sack when you get back you realise how filthy you were.
You want to keep your hands clean so you don't get sick. Groin, arse and feet need to be kept tidy so you don't get nasty rashes and blisters that inhibit walking.

[NcDeuce]

I can go without showering for a long time without it bothering me...I agree about the socks. That is the only thing I need, clean...or at least dry socks.

I knew the guys in Enduring Freedom didn't shower for a month or so at a time. Right when you got out, you were filthy.

[Salty Dog]

i remember in a book i read, that a soldier in the 82nd airborne during WWII didn't get to take a shower for a very long time, and then when tthey finally got to take a shower, everybodies hair started falling out.

[NcDeuce]

i remember in a book i read, that a soldier in the 82nd airborne during WWII didn't get to take a shower for a very long time, and then when tthey finally got to take a shower, everybodies hair started falling out.

:|

They didn't buzzcut.

[Salty Dog]

i remember in a book i read, that a soldier in the 82nd airborne during WWII didn't get to take a shower for a very long time, and then when tthey finally got to take a shower, everybodies hair started falling out.

:|

They didn't buzzcut.

it was a couple months before they took a shower, so their hair was probably already longer than a buzz when they did the jump (d-day jump) and then grew the months before they could take a shower.

[hahaha]

I shat in a plastic zip lock bag once, it was one log so it was easy to handle. Can't imagine doing that with bali belly though......

[James]

I shat in a plastic zip lock bag once, it was one log so it was easy to handle. Can't imagine doing that with bali belly though......

I was once afflicted with the trots while out training. Without getting into too much detail, I had to remove my shorts with my bayonet. Very carefully. :oops:

I was lucky, all in all.

[Jack Mehoff]

I once **** without any toilet paper in the field so that made my day a little squishy. I knew i should have save the toilet paper from the MRE

[NcDeuce]

I once **** without any toilet paper in the field so that made my day a little squishy. I knew i should have save the toilet paper from the MRE

rofl

Awwww man, that had to stink! Literally!

[Jack Mehoff]

I shat in a plastic zip lock bag once, it was one log so it was easy to handle. Can't imagine doing that with bali belly though......

I was once afflicted with the trots while out training. Without getting into too much detail, I had to remove my shorts with my bayonet. Very carefully. :oops:

I was lucky, all in all.

Aren't you suppose to be free balling like a normal grunt?

[ibstolidude]

I once **** without any toilet paper in the field so that made my day a little squishy. I knew i should have save the toilet paper from the MRE
That's when you cut off the tops of your socks and pieces out of your t-shirt....

if it is bad you'll know cause the guy comes back wearing a ****ie!

....now you know the real reason the t-shirt is brown.

[Jack Mehoff]

Nothing touch my butt unless it's a soft hand from a chick or toilet paper

[NcDeuce]

Nothing touch my butt unless it's a soft hand from a chick or toilet paper

^ Word