My dad, his brother, My Mother's all Viet Nam Vets, My grandfatherand all of my grand mothers brothers ww2 vets, my Gret grandfather and his brothers ww1 vets. Some of my earliest gear was their souveneiers.
Military Connections?
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Totally agree.
Sort of on on this theme. A chum of mine was manning a desk at Whitehall staffing answers for MPs questions primarily related to some goings on at Deepcut which put the spotlight on education within the miltary per se.
Two interesting findings of the review work.
1) A comparative study of death/suicide rates amongst young people in higher education institiutions nationwide showed that the percentage of 'students' inadvertently meeting their maker in civilian instititions was far far higher than in military ones.
2) Pound for pound, money spent on education within the forces is the best the government gets when outcomes are measured. This is because there is a strong tradition of serviceman beavering away at their GCSE's during quiet periods in foxholes or in their off watch time at sea etc.
never served myself, I was planning to join the RAF when I was younger but due to errr.. political problems I decided it would be best I don't serve (long story short I'm an arnachist lol, I don't agree with the goverment and won't fight for a cause I don't believe in)
that being said I do use a lot of military kit. I currently use an exservice austrailian army webbing set which is more than durable and military fatigues (though the last few years the quality is so poor that they rip after a day out in the woods) heck I got one pair that I only wear around town and it practically fell apart in a few months I've stitched them up so much there's more stitches than fabric lol. though an old pair I had for years survived me climbing trees, cliffs, jumping in rivers, walking chest deep through brambles and thorn bushes and never ripped once (except that one incident with a knife lol)
the way I see it good quality milatary kit is great for bush craft as it's usually more durable than the civi equivilant
that being said I do use a lot of military kit. I currently use an exservice austrailian army webbing set which is more than durable and military fatigues (though the last few years the quality is so poor that they rip after a day out in the woods) heck I got one pair that I only wear around town and it practically fell apart in a few months I've stitched them up so much there's more stitches than fabric lol. though an old pair I had for years survived me climbing trees, cliffs, jumping in rivers, walking chest deep through brambles and thorn bushes and never ripped once (except that one incident with a knife lol)
the way I see it good quality milatary kit is great for bush craft as it's usually more durable than the civi equivilant
as I am 16 I have obviously never served, however I do use millitary kit, although I am trying to tone it down, as I went a little OTT with the cammo and webbing thing, which lead to a number of irritating nicknames.
because of this I avoid army kit where I can, but if it's the best tool for the job (or if its buckshee) then I'll use it.
because of this I avoid army kit where I can, but if it's the best tool for the job (or if its buckshee) then I'll use it.
I've never served, but my dad was a 'Snowdrop' in the 1950s and he was also a cornet-player for a time in one of the RAF bands, but I don't know which one.
He was based mainly at Padgate, having obtained a compassionate posting which enabled him to go home more often whilst off-duty to help his mother care for his disabled father and brother, who were entirely dependant upon 24-hour care (the base was only about 7 miles from home).
He was based mainly at Padgate, having obtained a compassionate posting which enabled him to go home more often whilst off-duty to help his mother care for his disabled father and brother, who were entirely dependant upon 24-hour care (the base was only about 7 miles from home).
J
Jazzman
Guest
I'm serving Royal Marines now and I know for me at least that my basic knowledge (and it is basic) made many of my field exercises much more comfortable. Also subsequent training was enriched by these "tricks of the trade".
I also think that some of our military kit has great potential to help out civilians partaking in outdoor pursuits to have a more enjoyable time.
I also think that some of our military kit has great potential to help out civilians partaking in outdoor pursuits to have a more enjoyable time.
Ex military here...... If you have ever seen the tools and equipement the Bulgarians use you will be glad of everything you have.
They have a tool called a "Tislar" which has been known to fix computers and every part of a "LADA or Moscovit"
They are 4 GBP and they live by them.
They have a tool called a "Tislar" which has been known to fix computers and every part of a "LADA or Moscovit"
They are 4 GBP and they live by them.
I was Military Police 85-91 the only military gear I still use from time to time is my canteen cup.
Served 12 years in RHA. After serving in the South Atlantic and NI. I have used and abused the majority of the kit the army produces. For me, apart from the footwear in the Falklands the rest weren't bad at all!
I use a lot of it nowadays. Aye it probably is a lot heavier than the modern civvie equivelant, but it's what i'm used to. Clothing is a mix of army and civvie. Long gone has the need to wander the woods in full DPM.
I use a lot of it nowadays. Aye it probably is a lot heavier than the modern civvie equivelant, but it's what i'm used to. Clothing is a mix of army and civvie. Long gone has the need to wander the woods in full DPM.
i recently left army cadets after 5 years. it has tort me lots of skills such as map reading, first aid and living in the field which are all very handy skills in bushcraft. but i think the best skill i aquired was self reliance
pete
pete
i served just under 3 years in the TA (RA). i never took part in any survival weekends etc but my previous 5 years as a cadet stood me in good stead as far as looking after myself in the outdoors goes.
we had some fantastic instructors in the cadets that were ex army and they passed on some useful tricks of the trade whenever we were on exercise. this is i suppose where my love of the outdoors comes from, although i still hate salisbury plains with a passion!!!
i started learning my limited bushcraft skills around age 14 after i brought lofty wisemans survival manual. my mum thought i was an arsonist for a while cos i used to come home from the woods stinking of smoke!
i still use my beloved windproof smock and lightweights, but as far as military kit goes i would agree with others on here that using webbing sets is a little extreme
anything else like bashas, waterbottles, sleeping bags etc are a good cheap alternative to maxing out your credit card at the local millets.
we had some fantastic instructors in the cadets that were ex army and they passed on some useful tricks of the trade whenever we were on exercise. this is i suppose where my love of the outdoors comes from, although i still hate salisbury plains with a passion!!!
i started learning my limited bushcraft skills around age 14 after i brought lofty wisemans survival manual. my mum thought i was an arsonist for a while cos i used to come home from the woods stinking of smoke!
i still use my beloved windproof smock and lightweights, but as far as military kit goes i would agree with others on here that using webbing sets is a little extreme
anything else like bashas, waterbottles, sleeping bags etc are a good cheap alternative to maxing out your credit card at the local millets.
Hi all, I have and still use ex-army kit, as to some comments regarding the young one's of today, please let us not forget some of those young one are fighting and losing their lives today, whether we agree with the war or not, and like me I hope you show your support for the troops, which I'M sure if your ex-military you will, enough said as this is going off topic and could fall foul of Moderation
Regards Bill (UTRINQUE PARATUS)
Regards Bill (UTRINQUE PARATUS)
spamel
Was that 28 Siggys?
Went in in 65 came out in 76. Remember when our combat kit was OG. The one thing I wanted to keep was my artic parka but that was about the first thing they got from me at demob.
Jon R.
Was that 28 Siggys?
Went in in 65 came out in 76. Remember when our combat kit was OG. The one thing I wanted to keep was my artic parka but that was about the first thing they got from me at demob.
Jon R.
I fuond this site after following a link from the Civil Ranger site that some people seemed perturbed by . . .
What a cool forum.
This poll caught my attention for sure - I personally avoid wearing all mil garb anymore because of the association maney make here in the states, but I think mil experience was valuable and awesome and certainly comes into play as a bushcrafter. Most notably, just the experience of being pushed past what I thought were limits, exapnding c omfort zones.
I do caution mil folks that I have worked with not be over confident. the military tends to hit it 'quick and dirty' and there's a lot more to be learned from old timers in the hills and people who grew up in the woods.
Also mil doctrine tends to not cultivate natural relationship which I think is important for bush awareness, but thats just me.
Take care,
GS
What a cool forum.
This poll caught my attention for sure - I personally avoid wearing all mil garb anymore because of the association maney make here in the states, but I think mil experience was valuable and awesome and certainly comes into play as a bushcrafter. Most notably, just the experience of being pushed past what I thought were limits, exapnding c omfort zones.
I do caution mil folks that I have worked with not be over confident. the military tends to hit it 'quick and dirty' and there's a lot more to be learned from old timers in the hills and people who grew up in the woods.
Also mil doctrine tends to not cultivate natural relationship which I think is important for bush awareness, but thats just me.
Take care,
GS
I did lots of camping, hunting and fishing as a kid and a boy scout, and even more in the Marines. But 20 years of military "hiking and camping" kind of took the fun out of it. (I actually enjoyed some of the survival schools I went to as a pilot, though, except for being cold and hungry.) It took me a while after retiring to get back into "fun" bushcraft. Now I make it a point to go camping at least once every month, and it's enjoyable again. I have quite a lot of military surplus gear, but I try to avoid the "Rambo look".
Just coming up to my first full year as a Civvy after completing 22 years in The Army, I have kept Military items that have worked for me, complementing them with new Shiney things
Can't beat Shiney
Can't beat Shiney
I too am "ex"
I tend to use a lot of military kit, due to being familiar with it. Clothing i tend to shy away from DPM, but do use quite a bit of OD as i enjoy walking around and seeing the wildlife.
I tend to use a lot of military kit, due to being familiar with it. Clothing i tend to shy away from DPM, but do use quite a bit of OD as i enjoy walking around and seeing the wildlife.
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