Thread: Reflections on Wartime Shaves

Obie,

Ain't it the truth! Your post brought to mind a letter I wrote to my young cousin Jason. He is a 7th grade Reading and English teacher. I got the impression from one of our conversations that he felt his profession was somewhat less than manly (only three male teachers in his middle school). I wrote him the following to buck him up and disabuse him of that notion.

Dear Jason,

I wanted to tell you that I was re-reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's White Company. This was his favorite among his own works. I have been reading some medieval adventure stories of late and now remember why I loved them so much as a boy. Might I suggest it for your teen aged boys?

IMHO, the greatest thing someone in your position can do is inspire a young person to become a recreational reader. The difference between those who started reading early, and those who did not, is so obvious to the people who will exert powerful influence throughout their lives. And, I am NOT just speaking of Human Resource Managers and prospective employers.

You do IMPORTANT work! I am sure you do it well. Your students and their parents should be grateful beyond measure. I believe Yeats said..."Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire". Go forth and create a literate man. Or, clone yourself!

With respect and affection,
xxxx

P.S. Writing is akin to playing golf. You can know the mechanics, rules and strategies but, if you don't play...your game will still suck! It's all about muscle memory.

OK, please forgive the digression. Before we pound ourselves senseless congratulating ourselves on our literateness (is that even a word?) Let's get back on track.

I read somewhere that troops are not permitted to bring straight razors in country. Too dangerous! It's OK to walk around with loaded M9's and M4's with bayonets but, not sharp shaving utensils. Could we, should we, suggest a program to get mugs, brushes and safety razors to the troops who would want them?

Sincerely,
oldschooltools

P.S. Thank you for the kind comment regarding my Great Grandfather's shaving.

Originally Posted by oldschooltools

I read somewhere that troops are not permitted to bring straight razors in country. Too dangerous! It's OK to walk around with loaded M9's and M4's with bayonets but, not sharp shaving utensils. Could we, should we, suggest a program to get mugs, brushes and safety razors to the troops who would want them?

there used to be a thread here somewhere called "shaving stuff for the troops" not sure what happened to it, since shaving stuff can sometimes be hard to come by out there people would donate stuff and send it one of the guys here who would package it all up and send it out to a unit/units either in iraq or afganistan. i received a box that had a bunch of soaps and creams, some aftershave balms, some brushes and the little tuppaware cups for the soaps.

im pretty sure they are allowed to have straights over there, i always bring mine with me (although i mostly use my DE over there). they just cant bring them on the plane unless it is in their checked luggage.

yep most of the guys over there use the disposable plastic crap and canned goo, i got a few guys to start at least using a brush and real soap but i think they reverted back to their old ways cause it took to long, oh well their loss. i actually got my first straight from one of the guys here, he sent it to me as a care package with a wapi, a strop, cream and a brush it was obviously and awesome package to open.

-dan-

Thanks, Dan.

I'll look into it. Also, thank you for setting me straight (pun intended) on the straight razors in country question.

Screaming Eagle by any chance?

Hello, oldschooltools and Sinnfein:

Thank you for your comments. I think this thread, Reflections on Wartime Shaves, is losing its focus with the other topic introduced. Oldschoolstools, your suggestion for supplying the troops with quality shaving gear deserves its own thread. I will go ahead and start new thread on the subject and let's see where it will lead us.

Regards,

Obie

Obie,

I apologize for losing focus (it only happens daily) and hogging your thread. But, I was captivated. Back on track...

In 1976, we were patroling the DMZ between East and West Germany opposite the Fulda Gap. It was January and well below freezing. My top dog was a stickler for 3 things. If one showed up at company chow without a protective mask, a weapon and a shave, he was sent back to his tank/vehicle with no hot chow and a box of Korean War era C rats. Brutal. I learned, some didn't.

I only shaved once every couple of days but, close. I used my Dad's 1956 Gillette SuperSpeed Red Tip (still have it), a Shulton Old Spice mug with Ivory Soap and vegetable oil. I remember hanging one of those polished steel mirrors from the fender. The steel pot is resting between the road wheels of an M60A1 "Patton" Tank. The same set up was also used for cooking and "field bathing". At 20 degrees F, or lower, most of us could perform our toilet in a very short order.

Obie,

You brought a tear to my eye. Things are never the same after you've seen the elephant.

I didn't get the solace you did from my shaving, infrequent as it was. I do remember looking forward to a shower, hot or cold, clean clothes, hot chow and a cot when coming back from a mission.

But I digress. Thank you for sharing in such articulate fashion.

Photo by Jean-baptiste Fourichon. I don't remember where I found this photo, only that it reminded me of Obie's thread on wartime shaves. My GUESS is a Legionaire in Afganistan.

Thank you Obie, and all the others, for sharing your stories, and thank you all for your service. I had the opportunity from May 2009-April 2010 to spend time in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I went, not with rifle in hand, but with medic bag and assorted gear. While in Kuwait I provided medical care to civ and soldiers on all American bases. In Iraq, physicals on Iraqi civilians and routine medical care to Iraqi translators and US linguists assigned to the Army. In Afghanistan, I provided clinical and minor surgical care to several American and other groups. I wanted, and tried twice to join the Guard and then the Reserves, but was told my hearing was too poor to be allowed entry. It broke my heart, but I still found a way to serve my country, however obliquely. I never fired a shot in anger, but came close to getting hit a couple of times. 100 yards one way or the other with the rockets, or 15-20 feet with the machine gun fire from the ground, well..........but they didn't, and that's all that matters.
A few of my favorite pictures from my time. Sorry, kind of off topic. First two from Balad. Third and fourth from Kandahar. That sunrise is still one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.





I feel that this poem would be appropriate, given the references to those whose blank checks were cashed by a grateful nation.

Requiem
R.L. Stevenson

UNDER the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie:
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you 'grave for me
Here he lies where he long'd to be
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

Even now, it brings tears to my eyes. I read it for the first time after a helo crash in Balad, Iraq. It happened very close to my CHU. I heard the alarms, a couple of our guys closer to the CSH went to help. It really brought home the realities of war. They aren't just headlines gentlemen, rather brothers, fathers, sister, mothers, friends, and family.

Sorry such a long post. It's kind of late.

Medicevans, my dear friend, you have my admiration. Yours has been the noble cause of helping others, and that's one of the greatest gifts life can give. Stay well.

Geez, you guys act like someone held a gun to your heads to go in the service. I joined in 83 and got out in 07. I actually enjoy being in combat better than the civilian world. There was less to worry about.... All you had to do was make it back everyday. I never laughed as hard, cried as much and had the comraderie that you don't get in peace time as during the conflicts , special missions or just frigginng hard ass training we did over the years i served. And "no"i wasn't a fobbit. I was a Ranger, Sniper with the infantry...and i wouldn't trade a moment of it for the tame lives most people live..I am thouroughly convinced it that at theendof the day it all comes down to the story you can tell about yourself.. Saying all of that, when it was time to shave it meant I was safe for that respite in time... That is why I like to stretch it out now..