Military Connections?

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Military Connections in Bushcraft

  • Ex/current services and proud of the contribution wartime experiences have made to bush lore

    Votes: 178 31.6%
  • Never served, but take great interest in the information and useful kit available from the military

    Votes: 217 38.5%
  • Acknowledge a connection but try to avoid 'looking military'

    Votes: 103 18.3%
  • Think bushcraft should be distanced from the military wherever possible

    Votes: 65 11.5%

  • Total voters
    563

Nat

Full Member
Sep 4, 2007
1,476
0
York, North Yorkshire
When i first joined up i knew nothing. Now i've rejoined in the TA i'm hoping that what i know now will be able to be used to some good effect.
If not then i'll be doing something wrong.
I still use the odd piece of issue kit but not as much as what i did when i first started out.
 
Apr 8, 2009
1,165
144
Ashdown Forest
I disagree with a few comments about military kit being ropey- these days i find the majority of it top notch. What you get issued varies, and i imagine most kit that can be picked up at army surplus stores isn't too recent and therefore isn't the best, but its pretty good. I'm lucky enough to be issued windproofs which are great and would be cracking for bushcraft if only they weren't DPM...!

Not quite sure about the earlier comment that much military kit is designed to 'carry explosives or cartridges'. Generally speaking this is limited to ammo pouches.

The issue basha is a good bit of kit, and if pitched on the diagonal is just about big enough for most hammocks. What’s more, it doubles as a stretcher... Its true, people do augment their issued kit with a few private purchases, but these days you need to shell out on a lot less than you did- perhaps a smaller sleeping bag (Snugpaks being the most popular), and an ortlieb dry bag to line the bergen. Perhaps sealskinz or neoprene gloves to replace the heavy leather ones, and an MSR gas stove to replace the smelly, noisy and bright hexy burner.

The crusader cooking system BTW isn't on general issue- it was trialled but not liked. Only the mug element is.

There are a few chaps who are big bushcrafters in my squadron. One lunatic even carries a pukko in his webbing and a GB axe on his bergen.

Frankly though during the average exercise you don't get the opportunity nor have the need to practice any bushcraft skills (except SERE training). It will only come into its own in the unlikely event something goes significantly wrong on ops- when of course the first action is to create a woodland sauna.
 
My Kit is mainly military from the British Army,

Army kit is primarily designed to operate in the outdoors and does the job well (most of the time)

I chose my kit as it is what I have used whilst I was in the Army, I know its limitations and what it's capabile of. I know it looks to war like and if I could get it in black I would.
I know I can get smocks and bergens in black but I already had my DPM stuff from my army days. and to be honest who has the extra cash just to rplace items because I prefere a different colour.
 

neil draycott

Member
Feb 4, 2009
10
0
nottinghamshire
i served for 11 years as a combat medic i am proud of that but do try to not look like a squaddie when i am doing bush craft stuff i must adnit though i never really get away from that appearance.
i suppose old habits die hard and the lessons i learned in the army served me well and at times kept me alive so i generally refer back to that at times especially where kit is involved and clothing.good question though and the poll is throwing up some interesting ponits and views.
 

Canadian Guy

Member
Sep 29, 2005
24
0
56
Ontario, Canada
Canadian Reserve Army since 1984, currently an Infantry Sergeant and still enjoy serving. My passion is for the winter and Arctic Ops and being Canadian there is lots of opportunity for being out in the cold.
 

Twodogs

Bushcrafter through and through
Nov 16, 2008
5,302
67
West Midland
www.facebook.com
I am proud to say that I served my time with a good old county line Regiment (when we still had them ) when the guns were long and the pay was poor.

Those were the days my friends

2465.... Twodogs.

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wolf_diver

Forager
Jan 21, 2007
209
0
52
Weymouth Dorset
Ex Marine now Clearance diver, 20 years service. still love it, Thats why i joined so that i could work outside shoot dive and jump. I use service kit because its made for the job and i get it free.
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Me after a combat swim, wet suit and combats make you look fat...

Jay
 

Asa Samuel

Native
May 6, 2009
1,450
1
St Austell.
I think learning bushcraft can help if you are in the military, and being in the military can help you gain bushcraft experience.

i want to be a pilot, and learning bushcraft would help no end in the worst case scenario.
 
Dec 16, 2007
409
0
Shame this is the state of some in the US army now.

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Not like in the 80's in the british army when I was in

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And now with the ACF I'm the tall one on the left with no face paint on.

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