Cold Weather Tips

[kb2012]

Good Afternoon,

I recently got the wonderful news that I'll be heading to Marine Corps OCS this winter. I'm wondering if any of you have any cold weather tips for training or while I'm there. Most of what I find online is about getting the right gear (socks, layers, etc). I've recently been PTing with minimal layering in an effort to acclimate my body to colder temperatures and wearing less layers during the day as well. Is there anything that helped one of you survive a particular cold weather training evolution?

Respectfully,
Kevin B.

 

[BloodStripe]

I haven't been to OCS but I bet it's not much different from boot in that you don't get to pick and choose what layers you wear. Don't be the guy that gets caught wearing a sweatshirt under your cammies unless told to do so (especially true for OCS since it is peer evaluations that will determine your future). Don't wear more than one pairs of socks at a time as that will fuck up your feet. Don't wear layers on a hump if given the choice. Once you step off you will sweat and hate yourself for the next 50 minutes. At the end of the day, your instructors will not let you freeze to death.

 

[Teufel]

I will only add that you should wear a polypropylene liner sock under a quality wool sock. I prefer smart wool but everyone has their favorites. Fix your feet first!

 

[Ooh-Rah]

I will only add that you should wear a polypropylene liner sock under a quality wool sock. I prefer smart wool but everyone has their favorites. Fix your feet first!

Yep! What a difference this makes for anti-blister control!

To add....this may be the only time I disagree with @Teufel on this board, but Darn Tough makes a military sock without the color contrasts, highly HIGHLY recommend!

 

[Etype]

I wear Russel Athletic socks from Wal Mart.

All the time.

 

[0699]

Unless they moved Marine OCS over Thanksgiving, it's here in Quantico. It doesn't get that cold. I'd be more worried about failing a test than being cold.

The staff will make sure you wear enough clothes so you don't get hypothermia.

 

[CQB]

Loose & layered clothing: basic rule. Thermals can lighten what you can carry & core temperature is important.
Remember there's no bad weather, only bad clothing.

 

[kb2012]

I will only add that you should wear a polypropylene liner sock under a quality wool sock. I prefer smart wool but everyone has their favorites. Fix your feet first!

The socks I bought are a mix of polypropylene, nylon and spandex. Will these produce the desired effect you stated above or should I still wear a liner?

 

[Teufel]

The socks I bought are a mix of polypropylene, nylon and spandex. Will these produce the desired effect you stated above or should I still wear a liner?

Like I said polypropylene liner and wool socks.

 

[Totentanz]

Taking off layers to change socks, underwear, tshirts, etc in cold weather has a bit of a suck factor to it - don't let the discomfort get in the way of taking care of shit that needs to be taken care of.

 

[RackMaster]

If you get wet, use the first opportunity you get to dry out. Even if you just switch out for dry layers .

 

[Queeg]

I don't know how accustomed OP is to outdoor winter activities, but taking regular shits and keeping that lower intestine empty helps keep you warm because the body doesn't have to expend calories maintaining those poops at body temperature.

 

[Red Flag 1]

[Q

 

[kb2012]

If you get wet, use the first opportunity you get to dry out. Even if you just switch out for dry layers .

I know for certain there will be a few events where I will get wet. If not allowed to change into dry clothes immediately, how do you suggest avoiding the effects of wet clothing? Wear less layers so there's less clothing to hold water to me? Stay active and try to keep my body as warm as possible?

 

[Devildoc]

Unless they moved Marine OCS over Thanksgiving, it's here in Quantico. It doesn't get that cold. I'd be more worried about failing a test than being cold.

The staff will make sure you wear enough clothes so you don't get hypothermia.

It doesn't have to be too cold for the Quigley to absolutely suck....

 

[RackMaster]

I know for certain there will be a few events where I will get wet. If not allowed to change into dry clothes immediately, how do you suggest avoiding the effects of wet clothing? Wear less layers so there's less clothing to hold water to me? Stay active and try to keep my body as warm as possible?

Wear layer's, remove layers as you become active to compensate for body temperature increase. If you then get sweaty, if activity level drops and you can't change out; put layers back on. You're lucky modern combat clothing is designed for this. And you're right about keeping moving, doing some burpees, marching on the spot, push-ups, etc.; key is keeping blood flowing to extremities.

And I'm sure some of the lessons you'll have before heading out into the cold will be on this exact subject .

 

[0699]

It doesn't have to be too cold for the Quigley to absolutely suck....

I'm sure you know better than I do.

 

[BloodStripe]

Wear layer's, remove layers as you become active to compensate for body temperature increase. If you then get sweaty, if activity level drops and you can't change out; put layers back on. You're lucky modern combat clothing is designed for this. And you're right about keeping moving, doing some burpees, marching on the spot, push-ups, etc.; key is keeping blood flowing to extremities.

And I'm sure some of the lessons you'll have before heading out into the cold will be on this exact subject .

Agree. And sometimes you just have to suck it the fuck up.

 

[Teufel]

Unless they moved Marine OCS over Thanksgiving, it's here in Quantico. It doesn't get that cold. I'd be more worried about failing a test than being cold.

The staff will make sure you wear enough clothes so you don't get hypothermia.

I had a winter IOC class and froze my nuts off. Sure it's not Maine or Minnesota but it still gets cold. I hated how the temperature hovered just above freezing in the afternoon while it was raining and dropped below freezing in the evening.

I went to the Naval Academy so I don't know what you are allowed to use at OCS. Cotton has a poor warmth to weight ratio and doesn't keep you warm when wet. Wool is the way to go. I prefer smart wool merino wool or patagonia capilene base layers.

 

[RackMaster]

The good old days before gortex and polypropylene were fun.