Cold Weather Tips

0699 said:
I'd be more worried about failing a test than being cold.
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Exactly.

RackMaster said:
The good old days before gortex and polypropylene were fun.
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Yep, and yet we somehow miraculously survived, as did millions of our forebears did before us.

@kb2012 I understand your question and concern. But trust me, cold is the last of your concerns. You'll have lots of nice issue kit to keep you warm, and you'll be exercising so much that you'll be removing a lot of it.
Take lots of foot powder and changes of socks. You'll be OK.
 
One of the biggest cold weather "injuries" I've seen is a lack of heart. Sure, that doesn't stop hypothermia, but once they go down the path of thinking how bad life is, they rarely go back. It sucks and guys bitch, but that's a different animal from focusing on your misery. Once the cold, wet, whatever becomes your focus, you're done. If it isn't life-threatening, "take the pain" and drive on.
 
pardus said:
Exactly.
@kb2012 I understand your question and concern. But trust me, cold is the last of your concerns. You'll have lots of nice issue kit to keep you warm, and you'll be exercising so much that you'll be removing a lot of it.
Take lots of foot powder and changes of socks. You'll be OK.
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Thanks. I'm from the south and don't get much experience with cold weather training so I just want to make sure I'm prepared for it.

Freefalling said:
One of the biggest cold weather "injuries" I've seen is a lack of heart. Sure, that doesn't stop hypothermia, but once they go down the path of thinking how bad life is, they rarely go back. It sucks and guys bitch, but that's a different animal from focusing on your misery. Once the cold, wet, whatever becomes your focus, you're done. If it isn't life-threatening, "take the pain" and drive on.
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I've been after this for way too long to give up. Heart won't be an issue.
 
Be it cold, hot or somewhere in between, one of the biggest jungle tips taught to me was having your personal admin squared or "keeping your shit in one sock". Take that extra bit of time to make sure your stuff is squared before bedding down i.e. getting your shelter sorted, wet kit off and dry kit on, feet check and kit is checked, prepped and stowed for the next task.
Recruits, soldiers under training and Officer Cadets can be pretty notorious for switching off when it gets cold. Things like bedding down with warm or wet kit still on when there isn't a tactical reason to do so and wonder why they can't get warm. That generally starts the snow ball rolling down hill for them. Keep that stuff in check and you'll be taught everything else you need to know.
 
The humidity at Quantico is far worse then the cold. It can be cold, real cold, but not like Arctic cold. Wear what they give you, embrace the suck, and drive on. I would much rather deal with the cold that the heat and humidity. That's one reason I went to boot in winter at Great Lakes.
 
Ooh-Rah said:
I wish you the best of success, but every time I read someone say something like that, I am brought back to one of my favorite jungle documentaries:
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Understood. I'm not jaded enough to think I'm too tough to be intimidate or doubtful while I'm there, I'm just confident that I'll keep my eye on the prize. But I do understand where you're coming from and will keep that in mind.

gafkiwi said:
Be it cold, hot or somewhere in between, one of the biggest jungle tips taught to me was having your personal admin squared or "keeping your shit in one sock". Take that extra bit of time to make sure your stuff is squared before bedding down i.e. getting your shelter sorted, wet kit off and dry kit on, feet check and kit is checked, prepped and stowed for the next task.
Recruits, soldiers under training and Officer Cadets can be pretty notorious for switching off when it gets cold. Things like bedding down with warm or wet kit still on when there isn't a tactical reason to do so and wonder why they can't get warm. That generally starts the snow ball rolling down hill for them. Keep that stuff in check and you'll be taught everything else you need to know.
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Thank you for that.

JustMe said:
I have nothing to add on Cold weather tips however I see a lot of people like Darn tough socks on this post (as do I) FWIW they are on sale on this website Darn Tough Socks - Mens Hiking Micro Crew Cushion Socks ...
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I've heard those are really good. Before I posted this thread though, I ordered a few pairs of Fox River socks on recommendation from a friend. If those don't work for me, I will look into Darn Tough.

Devildoc said:
The humidity at Quantico is far worse then the cold. It can be cold, real cold, but not like Arctic cold. Wear what they give you, embrace the suck, and drive on. I would much rather deal with the cold that the heat and humidity. That's one reason I went to boot in winter at Great Lakes.
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That was my intention. I always preferred PT in the cold because your body warms up and it's evens out the cold, but in the summer it just keeps getting hotter. However, cold for me is like 50 degrees.
 
Red Flag 1 said:
I grew up in Upstate NY. My biggest problem was keeping my feet warm. When they were cold, everything else seemed to take a back seat.

Skeletal muscle use will keep you warm, so do it voluntarily. If you use don't your muscles on your own, your body will step in and do it for you with shivering. Fine motor and some not so fine motor skills will be impossible once you start shivering.
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I can't highlight proper footcare in the cold enough. I'd fill my ruck with extra socks before any snivel kit and are especially important in high humidity and hovering around freezing. When it's warmer and you're active, you may not feel the dampness. But once it dips below freezing, those boots and socks become blocks of ice. Wool keeps you warm even when wet. And if it's below freezing, you can hang wet socks or clothing off your ruck to dry. The water will freeze and sublimate into water vapour or you can "ring out" the ice.i
 
Red Flag 1 said:
Yeah, you've hit the nail on the head. There is a lot of focus and money spent on items like parkas, and overalls to keep you warm there. Meanwhile inside your boots, your feet get cold, really cold; for a while. Later on, when the boots come off, you are looking at feet and toes that have frozen. Maybe after a lot of work to get the feet warmed up, and blood flowing again, you'll be good for the next day. I've seen boots and socks come off, only to reveal black toes, and feet so pale you could almost shine light thru them.

I like cotton for towels and wash cloths, and T-shirts in the summer. Like you said, wool is an important element in layered garments for cold temps.
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I've been very lucky over the years to survive without any serious frostbite. But I know many that have lost digits and it doesn't need to be extremely cold for it to happen. The +10C to -10C temperature range can be the most dangerous and I think it's mostly due to complacency.

I'm a big fan of modern clothing, poly pro and anything waterproof/breathable but certain conditions just need wool and natural fur.
 
Holy fuck.

Dude. I work on Quantico and I live close enough to hear them blowing shit up.

1) It does NOT get that cold here. You may FEEL cold, but before you are in danger of going hypothermic the instructors will straighten things out. You will be issued plenty of snivel gear if you are here in the colder months.

2) Don't be that guy that brings all kinds of cool-guy shit to OCS. One of three things will happen; you'll have to get rid of it, you'll draw the instructor's attention to yourself, or you'll get the group in trouble. If they give you a list of shit to bring, bring what's on the list. No more and no less. Your OSO should give you that list.

3) Thousands of candidates made it through OCS, TBS, and IOC before Al Gore invented the internet. Don't fucking over think this. I guarantee you that the time you're spending on the internet asking questions, reading answers, and researching gear would be better spent PTing, drinking beer, or having sex.
Devildoc said:
The humidity at Quantico is far worse then the cold.
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Spot on. The heat will punish you faster here than the cold.
 
RackMaster said:
I can't highlight proper footcare in the cold enough. I'd fill my ruck with extra socks before any snivel kit and are especially important in high humidity and hovering around freezing. When it's warmer and you're active, you may not feel the dampness. But once it dips below freezing, those boots and socks become blocks of ice. Wool keeps you warm even when wet. And if it's below freezing, you can hang wet socks or clothing off your ruck to dry. The water will freeze and sublimate into water vapour or you can "ring out" the ice.i
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Dose your socks with anti freeze before any outdoor activities in cold weather to keep them from freezing.

Mod note.What follows was ETA by OP::p:p:p;-);-);-):-":-":-"}:-)}:-)}:-):ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
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NavyBuyer said:
Dose your socks with anti freeze before any outdoor activities in cold weather to keep them from freezing.
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I'll pass, dermal ingestion can lead to toxicity. I can suck it up long enough until time presents itself to put dry socks on. I spend 2/3 of the year in near freezing or below temps and haven't lost a toe yet.

ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Ethylene Glycol
 
NavyBuyer said:
:wall::wall::wall:
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I spent over 12 years in the Canuckistani Army, I know how to operate in extreme cold; including arctic conditions. And "tricks" like yours are not necessary and do nothing but damage the actual effectiveness of the materials used. I'm not in the Army anymore and don't need to suffer in the weather.

But hey, if it works for you; go for it.
 

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